Abstract: In The Bag (Tabletop Game Piece Collection and Storage) is a removable device for collecting and removing tiles or other game pieces directly from a playing surface tabletop into a detachable bag for continued play or storage. The invention slides onto the edge of a tabletop or other playing surface. A retaining arm engages the underside of the playing surface. Two adjustable arms extend onto the playing surface creating a channel through which the playing pieces can be gathered. After entering the channel, the pieces fall into a chute to which a removable bag is attached. Once all of the playing pieces are gathered into the bag, the bag is removed from the collection chute assembly and passed to the players to select their game pieces. The collection device may be removed from the table between rounds of play or for storage of the device and playing pieces.

Abstract: There is described a multiple rack apparatus for accommodating biological product containers unloaded from a storage for the preservation of the same interfaced with a laboratory automation system, comprising an odd number of said racks which can be housed within a platform having a number of locations, which is equal to said odd number plus one. Said racks can horizontally or vertically slide from one location to another of said platform, taking advantage of the presence of a temporarily empty location, said racks further occupying in turn an operating location which, being vertical with respect to an outlet tube of said storage, accommodates said biological product containers unloaded from said storage.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: An automatic coin sorting device is provided. The sorting device may include a housing having a hopper configured for receiving coins, a coin tray coupled to the housing, wherein the coin tray is moveable from a first position to a second position, and a plurality of tubular coin receiving members removably secured to the coin tray, wherein each tubular coin receiving member is configured for receiving a different-sized coin. Each tubular coin receiving member includes an angled opening near one face of the coin receiving member to prevent jamming or back-filling of the coins when the coin receiving member is filled to capacity.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a packaging system for glass scoring wheels having different physical attribute configurations is provided that includes a plurality of containers and a plurality of caddies. Each caddy includes a wheel mount shaft extending from a base. The wheel mount shaft has an axial length that permits a plurality of glass scoring wheels to be mounted on the mount shaft. The base is adapted to mate with an open end of the container. The caddies include “n” number of different color configuration caddies. The color configuration of each of the “n” different color configuration caddies is different than the color configuration of the other of the “n” different color configuration caddies. Each of the “n” color configurations identifies a particular physical attribute of the glass scoring wheels, which attribute is operable to distinguish glass scoring wheels having different physical attributes.

Abstract: An automated coin tray refilling system includes a plurality of coin reservoirs and a plurality of coin dispensers for regulating the dispensing of coins from an associated one of the plurality of coin reservoirs. A collector point distribution member is adapted to receive coins from each of the plurality of coin dispensers at one portion thereof and to output the coins at another portion thereof. An interface module having an input end is disposed substantially adjacent the collector point distribution member output and includes an output end for dispensing coins. A coin interface tray is adapted to receive at least one coin tray and at least one processor is provided. The interface module and/or coin interface tray includes a drive system configured to move interface module and/or coin interface tray relative to one another.

Abstract: The unit for supplying and inserting products (2) to and into container elements (3, 3A) advancing along a line of a packing machine (M) comprises a flat element (8) provided with a through-slit (10), and a disc (4) affording through-holes (6). The unit (1) is positionable with respect to the line of the packing machine (M) such that the slit (10) is arranged above the container elements (3, 3a). Products (2) are supplied onto the disc (4) which products (2) are to be inserted in the container elements (3, 3a), each through-hole (6) being of such a size as to be able to receive and house internally thereof a product (2). The disc (4) is mounted above the flat element (8) such that the products (2) housed in the through-holes (6) rest on the flat element (8).

Abstract: A method and system for packaging products provides for initially, vertically stacking a plurality of products during production in a transfer canister, simultaneously removing a stack of the products from the transfer canister, reorienting the stack and horizontally loading the stack into a final product package cavity. The invention has applicability to a wide range of products, particularly food products, such as refrigerated dough products. In one embodiment of the invention, the product package cavity is thermoformed as part as an overall horizontal form, fill and seal system.

Abstract: A coin holding apparatus includes a first plate and a second plate. The first and second plates are transparent and each of the first and second plates has a first side and a second side. The first sides of each of the first and second plates has a semi-cylindrical indentation therein and forms a bulbous portion extending outwardly from a plane of associated ones of the second sides. The semi-cylindrical indentation in the first plate is alignable with the semi-cylindrical indentation in the second plate to form a cylinder. A plurality of couplers releasably couples the first sides of the first and second plates together to releasably secure coins within the cylinders. Coins are removably positionable in the cylinders to store and display the coins in collectible condition.

Abstract: The unit for supplying and inserting products (2) to and into container elements (3, 3A) advancing along a line of a packing machine (M) comprises a flat element (8) provided with a through-slit (10), and a disc (4) affording through-holes (6). The unit (1) is positionable with respect to the line of the packing machine (M) such that the slit (10) is arranged above the container elements (3, 3a). Products (2) are supplied onto the disc (4) which products (2) are to be inserted in the container elements (3, 3a), each through-hole (6) being of such a size as to be able to receive and house internally thereof a product (2). The disc (4) is mounted above the flat element (8) such that the products (2) housed in the through-holes (6) rest on the flat element (8).

Abstract: A tuna fish canning apparatus is provided wherein each can has a premium cake appearance. The machine has first and second turrets adjacent each other which rotate around a common axis. Fish slugs loaded into a shared pocket by the adjacent turrets are severed along a plane between the turrets to produce first and second cakes with each cake having a cut surface and each cake adapted to be transferred into a can. The present invention provides first and second knock-out plungers for ejecting the first and second cakes into cans, wherein the first and second knock-out plungers are positioned on opposite sides of the plane between the first and second turrets so that each cake has its freshly cut surface at the top of the can to provide a premium appearance. A method for achieving the same result is also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for packaging articles, in particular CDs, DVDs and the like, into relative containers, which are formed by a pair of substantially box-like closure members, lower (GD and upper (G2), hinged to each other along a common hinge edge (D), includes a conveying line (L), which is equipped all around with gripping and transferring devices (1). The gripping and transferring devices (1) are moved continuously and grip lateral edges of die iowa closure member (G1) of the containers (C) housed in closed condition inside a magazie (S0) and remove the containers (C) from the bottom of the magazine (S0). The gripping and transferring devices (1) transfer the containers withdrawn from the magazine (S0) to subseqaent working stations associated to the line (L).

Abstract: A machine for packing tablets inside rigid tubes exhibits: a supply line for supplying empty tubes arranged with vertical axes and mouths facing upwards; an inlet station wherein deflector organs operate which tip the cylindrical containers on sides thereof, and first organs which pick up individual thus-tipped containers and release the containers to corresponding gripping organs provided by a multiple conveyor; a filling station in which a plurality of supply units release a predetermined quantity of tablets, stacked one on the other, into paused tubes, borne by the multiple conveyor; a closing station containing devices which insert caps into the mouths of the filled containers borne by the multiple conveyor; an outlet station containing devices which pick up paused individual closed containers borne by the multiple conveyor and release the containers onto transporter organs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for producing an assembly comprising a plurality of digital data storage media carriers attached to a carrier strip. In the production of the assemblies, carriers are positioned for movement in a longitudinal direction of the conveyor system with the carriers being in a row. Carrier strips are secured to the carriers with the longitudinal axis of the assembly and the carrier strips being generally parallel to the direction of movement of the conveyor system. Carriers are deposited onto the conveyor system via a bottom feed depositor which depositor utilizes a pressure differential to help produce positive movement of carriers from a carrier magazine onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A protector for sheet metal coil is formed of plastic with a flange and sleeve which are joined together at a ridge portion. The protectors incorporate symmetrically disposed groupings of stacking features or components which include a finger within a stacking access opening, a stacking tab, and a stacking opening. The fingers are employed to resiliently engage the inner surface of a core of a coil and incorporate a receiver surface for freely abuttable engagement with a stacking tab of a second protector when arranged in mutual stacking relationship. The stacking openings function for stacking purposes to receive the protruding finger of a next stack protector.

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 method and apparatus for assembling personalized CDs, DVDs and other types of optical disks, magnetic media, and data storage devices into magazines, catalogs, pamphlets, and other printed products in order to enhance the amount and quality of personalization associated with the printed product includes reading and/or writing personalized information to/from a data storage device and assembling the data storage device within a printed product that is to be delivered to a particular individual. The reading and/or writing of personalized information may be directed to either digital information stored on the data storage device or to more conventional optical indicia that is printed on and/or optically scanned from the data storage device.

Abstract: A coin handling machine (10) having sorting openings from which respective denominations of coins are sorted prior to exiting the coin handling machine (10), includes a plurality of coin tubes (20) for holding coin wrappers (24) for respective denominations in a substantially upright position for receiving coins of respective denominations. The coin tubes (20) are mounted to one or more chutes (16) on the coin handling machine (10) for receiving coins of respective denominations that pass through the sorting openings. The coin tubes have portions (22, 23) with a shape for directing said coins into respective coin wrappers (24). Pivotable clips (26) are mounted in the lower end of the coin tubes (20) to support the lower end of the coin wrappers (24). Several specific embodiments having different types of attachment to coin handling machines are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling personalized CDs, DVDs and other types of optical disks, magnetic media, and data storage devices into magazines, catalogs, pamphlets, and other printed products in order to enhance the amount and quality of personalization associated with the printed product includes reading and/or writing personalized information to/from a data storage device and assembling the data storage device within a printed product that is to be delivered to a particular individual. The reading and/or writing of personalized information may be directed to either digital information stored on the data storage device or to more conventional optical indicia that is printed on and/or optically scanned from the data storage device.

Abstract: An improved can end bagging system comprises four subassemblies: (1) the end gathering and stick assembly apparatus, (2) the bag feeding, opening, and loading apparatus which places a predetermined number of stacked can ends into an open end bag, (3) the vertical positioner apparatus for moving the bagged sticks into a folding device, and (4) the bag folding, closing and transfer apparatus. The loading mechanism includes a servo controlled pusher which is driven with controlled acceleration and deceleration to avoid tipping of the ends making up a stick, to avoid bursting of the bags during filling, and to assure complete and uniform filling of each bag. Sponginess which results primarily from variations in compression of the rims of the ends pressing against each other in the gathering and counting process is avoided.

Abstract: A machine for the sorting of coins and the placement of the coins into coin wrapper sleeves, containers or bags according to their type. A coin feed device in the form of a rotating table (1) feeds coins to a sorting plate (2) having a plurality of sorting openings (3), wherein each sorting opening corresponds to a particular denomination or size of a coin or disk. Each sorting opening (3) feeds into a corresponding coin outlet channel (4,4′) which conducts coins passing through the sorting opening (3) to a corresponding sleeve container (5). Each corresponding sleeve container (5) is connected to the corresponding outlet channel part (4′) by means of a bayonet-type connector. Each sleeve container (5) has a carrying bracket (8) to support a coin wrapper sleeve (6) while it is being filled with coins.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing packages for compact discs or similar out of cardboard work piece. The packages consist of a casing part and a slide part inserted therein, with a compact disc and a booklet. These two components are manufactured in separate tracks (A, B), which consist of jigs, whereby each of these rotates stepwise in a rotating table. The casing parts are manufactured by laying down the forward half of a work piece on a placing plate (1), laying down a cover (2) over this, the cover having the same outer shape as the inside of the finished casing, folding its edge upwards with first folding devices (7), folding over its edge with second folding devices (9, 10) applying melt glue on the top flap and laying down the rear half over disc, and squeezing by means of the second folding devices until the glue has stuck.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling products including at lest one rigid thin part of a first type (in particular a compact disc tray) glued on a plane part of a second type (in particular a casing formed by a pre-cut cardboard matrix), including at least one suction belt for carrying the planar parts of the second type, at least one loader for feeding a gripping device with the parts of the first type and at least one gripping device comprising a turntable turning around a transversal axis parallel to the tray, the turntable supporting a plurality of sucker supports for gripping the parts of the first type and depositing them on the parts of the second type, characterized in that the sucker support has a configuration able to ensure displacement of the sucker corresponding to a degree of freedom in translation parallel to a single radial axis only.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging tubular canisters in a charging direction with a stack of face-to-face oriented flat items, includes a conveyor for supporting and positioning an item stack thereon; a canister holder for supporting and positioning a canister; an arrangement for advancing the item stack in an item feeding direction from the conveyor into the canister positioned by the canister holder; an elongated guide member movable parallel to the feeding direction for introduction into and withdrawal from the canister positioned by the canister holder; a holding plate supported at an end of the guide member and being pivotal into a first position in which it projects into a feed path of the item stack for engaging a leading item of the item stack and into a second position in which it is clear of the feed path; and a drive for moving the guide member parallel to the feeding direction and for rotating the holding plate into the first and second positions.

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 the compact disk packing machine includes a base having a box providing device for move empty boxes to a box opening device which opens the empty boxes one by one. A transferring device transfers the opened boxes to a disk providing device and a disk positioning device to put a compact disk in each of the opening boxes. A sheet putting device puts a sheet of commercial in the open boxes and a closing device closes the boxes. The boxes having a compact disk and a sheet of commercial are transferred to a collection device and piled up.

Abstract: A cyclical extraction of an empty and closed box from a feeding magazine is performed by an extractor and an opposite contrast device which transfer the box into an opening station. The contrast device rotates of 90°, opening the box and entering it. While the contrast device goes back, the extractor places the box open on underlying double-slope inclined planes, on which the box is finally placed by arc-shaped and oscillating levers. While the contrast device goes back, the open box is transferred to an adjacent parking station which includes an upper contrast device to maintain the box on the support guides. A finger completely opens downwards an external pocket of the transferred box, and a known device introduces into the pocket a customizing insert sheet. The open box then leaves the parking station and reaches is transferred to filling and closing stages.

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: A method and unit for wrapping sweets, whereby a sweet, housed in a relative first peripheral seat of a distribution plate rotating about a first axis, is extracted from the relative first seat in an extraction direction parallel to the first axis, and is then fed to a relative second seat of a wrapping wheel, rotating about a second axis crosswise to the first axis, in a feed direction substantially crosswise to the extraction direction and through a feed line parallel to the first axis and for supplying sheets of wrapping material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a wet object, such as a contact lens, from a first station to a second station includes a probe having a barrel with a passage for communication with a vacuum source and a pressurized gas source, a nozzle at the end of the passage, and a hood around the nozzle in communication with a vacuum source. The barrel is moved in a first direction to place the nozzle adjacent the object in the first station and the vacuum from the nozzle attaches the object to the nozzle. Moving the barrel in a second direction removes the nozzle with the object attached from the first station. The probe is moved to the second station with the object attached. The barrel is moved in the first direction to place the object at the second station, the vacuum is removed from the nozzle and pressurized gas is applied through the barrel passage to remove the object from the nozzle and deposit it at the second station and, at the same time, blow off matter from the object.

Abstract: The apparatus for wrapping confectionery products and the like comprises a device for feeding the products to be wrapped, an organ for extracting such products from the aforesaid feeding device able to co-operate with a device dispensing a piece of material in sheet form, a wrapping head with pincers, rotating according to a horizontal axis to bring individual products with a respective piece of material in sheet form in correspondence with a series of operative stations. The feeding device comprises a circular disk, positioned horizontally and rotating about a vertical axis, which presents, peripherally distributed, a series of recesses for the reception of respective products, open outwards, each provided, in correspondence with the lower surface of said disk and posteriorly thereto, with a related slit.

Abstract: The present invention mainly relates to a transverse displacement mechanism for a compact disc packaging machine includes a working table, an intermittent driving member, a motor, a rocking lever set, and a plurality of transverse displacement frames. The rocking lever set includes two parallel front curved rocking levers, two parallel rear curved rocking levers, two triangular first rotary blocks, two L-shaped second rotary blocks, and two parallel inner curved rocking levers. In operation, the front curved rocking levers, the rear curved rocking levers, and the inner curved rocking levers co-operate with each other to form an eddy state during operation. In such a manner, most of the components of the rocking lever set are hidden in the working table so that the operation of the rocking lever set can be mainly performed in the working table mainly, thereby greatly saving the space of the transverse displacement mechanism for a compact disc packaging machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for picking-up and opening in the shape of elongate bags for automatic packing of cylindrical articles, preferably can lids. The method is charaterized by picking-up essentially flattened packages from a package magazine by means of pick-up means, opening the individual package by application thereon, at least in the area of the opening-mouth end of bags, of surface-holding means to opposite sides of the package and thereafter moving said means away from the package and then moving said means apart whereby the package mouth is distended.

Abstract: A title sheet inserting machine includes a rotatable turret having a plurality of equally spaced copes, which each have a corrugated contact face adapted to hold a title sheet. A drag is provided movably toward and away from the cope at the first station of the turret. A space forming device provided adjacent to the second station of the turret is adapted to form a title sheet insertion space in the case. A case transferring pusher transfers the case formed with the title sheet insertion space therein toward the cope placed at the second station of the turret. A case retreating pusher retreats the case having the title sheet therein from the cope placed at the third station of the turret.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a case to be loaded with an optical disk, includes a pair of slide plates slidable in opposite, horizontal directions for moving a pair of positioning members (5A, 5B) rotatably connected to the ends of the slide plates. The positioning members are moved between a withdrawn rest position in which toe faces (6a) of the positioning members (5A, 5B) do not contact the case, and a locating position wherein the toe faces contact an outer circumference of a ridge of the case to precisely locate the case. The positioning members (5A, 5B) are driven between the withdrawn position and the locating position by a cam drive including a cam and a cam follower cooperating with each positioning member. The cam follower moves along the inclined surface of the cam provided at the case locating station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for labelling digital discs. In the method, a disc is provided that has an alignment mark. An image is printed onto the disc in registration with the alignment mark.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stacking and loading disc-like objects into receptacles is provided. The apparatus includes a lane combining conveyor which receives multiple lanes of product and combines one or more of the outer lanes into the remaining lanes. A stack former is provided for forming individual stacks of patties which are side supported onto rails. The rails can be pivoted down to divert patties for clearing jams. After the product is formed on the stack formers, a stack transfer mechanism transfers the stacks of products formed on the stack forming rails to the matrix former. Matrix former receives individual rows of multiple stacks from the stack transfer mechanism. A stripper mechanism is used to ensure that the stacks are not scrambled during this transfer. Once the matrix former is filled with product, a case rollover mechanism is rotated to the matrix former.

Abstract: A device for bending and transferring leaflets into box-shaped casings including a transfer head including elastically openable tapering end portions which cooperate with preforming edges and forming elements rotatably supported in a bending station to bend the side flaps of a leaflet. The transfer head picks up the bent leaflet from the bending station to transfer the bent leaflet into a box-shaped casing. The stop position of the transfer head in the bending station, as well as position of the tapering end portions during bending of the side flaps, can be adjusted depending on the type of paper of which the leaflet is made.

Abstract: A method of producing a printed product having a computer disk incorporated therein, including the steps of providing a sheet of material, placing personalized indicia onto either the disk or the sheet of material, depositing the disk onto the sheet of material, folding the sheet of material over the disk to produce a package, gathering the package with a signature to produce a book block, and binding the book block to produce a printed product. The placing step can include the step of printing or the step of adding a label to either the disk or the sheet of material. The depositing step can include the step of positioning the disk over the personalized indicia such that the disk covers the personalized indicia. The placing step can occur either before or after the depositing step.

Abstract: Process for packaging compact discs (CD's) in CD boxes, in which process a CD box, with a lower side and a lid held thereon in a swingable fashion, is opened, a booklet is inserted into lid of the box, and the box is closed by a swinging back of the lid, characterized hereby, that the booklet and the lid are temporarily pressed firmly against each other during the swinging back of the lid, so that a slipping of the booklet with respect to the lid during the closing is prevented, as well as a device, in particular for carrying out such a process.

Abstract: A method of producing a printed product having a computer disk incorporated therein. The method includes the steps of depositing the disk onto the sheet of material, folding a first portion of the sheet over the disk and over at least a second portion of the sheet, securing the first portion to the second portion, folding a third portion of the sheet into overlapping relation with the first portion to produce a package, maintaining the third portion free from securement with the remainder of the sheet, and gathering the package with a signature to produce a book block while maintaining the third portion free from securement with the remainder of the sheet. The method further includes the step of perforating the sheet with a plurality of perforations to form a perforation line. The perforation line is formed substantially parallel to a fold line produced by the folding step, and preferably before the folding step.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for making flexible packaging containers (20, 70, 84) and inserting and sealing discs (22) within the containers in one continuous operation includes a nip roll indexer (116) which intermittently advances free ends of a first web (108) and a second web (110) a distance defining at least a width of a container, a die cut press (112) for forming partially separable flaps in the first web, first and second ultrasonic welders (220, 226) which concurrently seal together the first and second webs along a first longitudinal seal line (258) and at least one transverse seal line (252) so as to create in the webs a series of disc-receiving areas (40) each defined by the first longitudinal seal lines together with two of the transverse seal lines and having an open edge adjacent second longitudinal edges (256) of the webs, a disc inserting apparatus (120) adapted to insert a disc into a disc-receiving area, a third ultrasonic welder (380) which seals the webs together along a second longitudinal seal

Abstract: Methods are described for the identification and preparation of nucleic acid ligand ligands to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands to VEGF identified by the SELEX method.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a stacking apparatus which utilizes a supplemental stacking member on a transfer mechanism for receiving at least one article from a conveying mechanism while the transfer mechanism is transferring a stack, such that a new stack is begun prior to completing the transfer of the first stack. This permits a substantially constant supply of articles to be provided continuously to the stacking apparatus without having to interrupt or slow down the flow of articles to the apparatus. The packaging system also includes a boxing apparatus which relies on pneumatically-actuated positioning mechanisms to move stacks of articles to discrete positions within boxes. Both the position and the velocity of the pneumatic mechanisms are utilized as feedback to provide increased speed without compromising positioning accuracy.

Abstract: Thin and lightweight baked products such as crackers and the like are dispensed from a stack and placed into a compartment of a packaging tray or the like. An escapement gate assembly supports the product as it falls into a accumulator opening and before it drops into the compartment of the packaging tray. This engagement need be for only a small fraction of a second, long enough to dissipate virtually all of the horizontal velocity components imparted to the products during handling of the products prior to dropping into the compartment. A preferred application moves a sub-stack of crackers from a larger stack and into the compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for loading and closing bags or sleeve containers are disclosed. An automated arm with pinchers at one end moves from a resting position to an extended position, grasps the unfilled end of a partially filled sleeve container, and rotates to achieve closure.

Abstract: A machine for packaging uniform-sized articles having generally flat, parallel sides and uniform length, width and thickness comprising the use of an array of articulating vanes attached in tandem and moved in a closed curvi-linear path. As the vane passes a loading station, each vane receives a single article upon a loading surface thereof. Each vane then carries such article to an unloading station (which may include means for packing said articles into boxes). During the aforesaid transit, the article is retained between adjacent vanes, side retainer and inner and outer retaining rods the latter rods operating together which operate together to strip the article toward and into a packing box.

Abstract: A method of automatically transferring contact lenses from a plurality of cups good positioned at a first location to a plurality of packages positioned at a second location wherein each good cup contains a transferable contact lens for placement in an individual blister package comprises a step of communicating positional information of good cup locations to a robotic device having an arm with one or more end effectors thereon, each end effector having a tip in connection with a vacuum and air pressure supply device, each end effector independently moveable with respect to the arm. Then, steps of applying a vacuum to the end effector tip to enable pick-up of a transferable lens from a cup located at a good cup location, and, controlling the robot to effect positioning of one end effector tip within the cup having the transferable lens therein to pick up the lens are performed.

Abstract: A coin handling machine includes a rotatable disk for receiving deposited coins and feeding out the received coins to a coin sorting passage by the centrifugal force produced by rotation thereof, the coin sorting passage having a pair of guide members for passing only coins of a denomination to be handled therethrough, a denomination selector for selecting the denomination of coins to be handled and passage width adjusting cams for adjusting the spacing between the pair of guide members of the coin sorting passage in accordance with the denomination selected by the denomination selector, the passage width adjusting cams including first and second cams having different cam profiles, a motor for rotating the first cam and the second cam and a controller for controlling the motor, the controller being adapted for selectively transmitting a driving force of the motor to the first cam or the second cam, thereby adjusting the spacing of the pair of guide members of the coin sorting passage so as to coincide with co

Abstract: A wafer transporting/storing method includes steps of accommodating one wafer in each flat casing, and transporting/storing the casing. A wafer carrier includes a flat casing, one side surface of which is opened as a wafer entrance/exit, a cover for closing the wafer entrance/exit, and a cover urging device, disposed between the casing and the cover, for urging the cover in a closed direction. The flat casing has a space for accommodating one wafer. In the carrier, at both sides of intermediate portions of the upper and lower surfaces of the space are inclined in the directions from each intermediate portion toward both ends of each of the upper and lower surfaces so that an interval between the upper and lower surfaces of the space becomes narrower toward both ends of the space.