Abstract: A method adapted to transfer a sample container such as a capped sample tube is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes gripping a sample tube body with a first gripper pair and a cap with a second gripper pair of a gripper apparatus. In another aspect, a seating member may contact the cap to aid in the positioning of the sample container. Apparatus and systems for carrying out the method are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A specimen processing system has a robot equipped with a base, torso part and two arms, and a plurality of devices arranged within the range of movement of the arms of the robot for performing the process made up of predetermined steps on the specimen, including a laboratory dish, a laboratory dish stand, a spatula, a spatula stand, a test tube, a test tube stand, a pipette, a pipette stand, a tip, a tip stand, an incubator, a centrifuge, a stirrer, and a heating/cooling device.

Abstract: A device for constructing an assembly of building components includes an articulating arm unit and a gripper/nailer mounted on an end of the articulating arm unit. The gripper/nailer includes a gripping unit for grasping building components and positioning them in a predetermined arrangement and a nailing unit for inserting a fastener to secure the building components together.

Abstract: A teaching method of a robot which supports a transported matter with a hand and transports the transported matter between two or more reception spots, includes: a jig disposing process of disposing a positioning jig at the reception spot so as to have the same center axis as the transported matter when the transported matter is placed at the reception spot; and a teaching process of moving the hand to a position at which an abutting portion of the hand abuts the positioning jig at each of the reception spots and teaching the position of the hand to a controller.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a robotized method for removing discharge from furnaces used for smelting. The method includes punching and tapping exit passages, sampling different materials, and cleaning exit channels.

Abstract: A shape measuring apparatus includes a laser emitter that emits a laser beam, a scanner that scans the laser beam emitted by the laser emitter over a region in which an object is placed, a camera that detects reflected light of the laser beam, a recognizer that performs three-dimensional measurement of the object on the basis of the detection result of the camera, and a controller that performs control so as to change a scanning range of the scanner in accordance with the region in which the object is placed, the region being detected by the camera.

Abstract: A rubber sheet jointing apparatus is provided with first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of one of two rubber sheets, second holding means provided movably relative to the first holding means for releasably holding a joint end portion of the other of the two rubber sheets, and operating means for pressure-contacting the end surfaces of the two rubber sheets respectively held by the first and second holding means by moving the second holding means relative to the first holding means. Mutually facing surfaces of the first and second holding means are respectively provided with holder portions which are formed as rugged portions each taking a comb tooth shape and which are able to partly overlap to mesh with each other.

Abstract: A device for non-cooperatively capturing an object is provided. The device includes a boom having a fixed end coupled to a structure and a free end. The boom also includes boom deployers for moving the fixed end of the boom relative to the structure. The device also includes a capture head, coupled to the free end of the boom, and a control apparatus. The control apparatus controls the boom deployers and capture head to move the capture head in close proximity to the object. The control apparatus moves the capture head in closer proximity to the object if the capture head is not close enough to the object to capture the object. The control apparatus minimizes forces applied to the object, and activates a non-cooperative capture device. The non-cooperative capture device makes initial contact with the object, establishes intimate contact with the object, and captures the object.

Abstract: A method for operating a gripping device (10) is provided. This method is used for positioning blanks (18) in a working position for the placement of said blanks in a clamping chuck (35). For this, a deviation function (F) is determined at the time of initialization of the gripping device (10), said deviation function stating only—for the working position—the load-dependent deviation of the position of the blank (18) from its desired nominal position relative to the position measured in the gripping device. During operation, while the gripping device (10) is positioning the blank (18) in the working position, it is possible to determine a deviation value (?za) with the use of the deviation function (F) and to correct the position measured in the gripping device (10) with the deviation value (?za), so that an accurate positioning of the blank (18) is possible.

Abstract: A system comprises: a measurement unit adapted to measure a position/orientation of at least one target object based on an image obtained by capturing the at least one target object; a selection unit adapted to select at least one grippable target object based on the position/orientation; a determination unit adapted to determine, as an object to be gripped, a grippable target object in a state with a highest priority from the at least one grippable target object based on priorities set in advance for states including gripping positions/directions; a gripping unit adapted to grip the object to be gripped in the state with the highest priority; and a changing unit adapted to change the state of the gripped object, to a state in which the gripped object is assembled to the other object.

Abstract: A pair of gripping sections performs opening and closing operations along a base member through displacement of a piston by means of a pressure fluid supplied to a chuck body. A pair of fingers, which constitute the gripping sections, is openable and closable in directions perpendicular to opening/closing directions of the gripping sections, by means of a driving force supplied from a driving section. The gripping sections are positioned with respect to a workpiece by actuating the pair of fingers to perform the opening/closing operation. Thereafter, by supplying the pressure fluid, the workpiece is gripped at a desired gripping position by means of the gripping sections.

Abstract: A workpiece removing device including a camera for imaging a workpiece loading area including a plurality of workpieces loaded in bulk; a workpiece detection section for detecting a workpiece, based on a camera image taken with the camera; a workpiece selection section for selecting a workpiece adapted to be removed, based on a detection result by the workpiece detection section; a robot for removing the workpiece selected by the workpiece selection section; a loading state determination section for determining whether a loading state of the workpieces in the workpiece loading area has changed due to a operation of the robot; and an area setting section for setting a workpiece detection area where the workpiece detection section detects a workpiece. If the loading state determination section determines that the loading state of the workpieces has changed, the area setting section sets the workpiece detection area in a peripheral area of a changing position of the loading state, i.e.

Abstract: An apparatus for a robot arm of an industrial robot. A first module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a first axis of rotation. A second module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a second axis of rotation. The first member of the second module is attached to the second member of the first module. A third module includes a first and a second member rotatable in relation to each other about a third axis of rotation. The first member of the third module is attached to the second member of the second module. The second axis of rotation is substantially perpendicular to the first and the third axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation is offset from the first and the third axis of rotation when the first axis of rotation is substantially parallel to the third axis of rotation.

Abstract: A compact robotic wash system is provided for cleaning a work piece. The robotic wash system includes an enclosed wash chamber. A robot is fully disposed inside the wash chamber. The robot has a maximum horizontal reach that is at least 40% of the maximum horizontal linear dimension of the wash chamber. The robot may hold a work piece and move the work piece around a plurality of spray devices. Alternately, the robot may hold one or more spray devices, while a work piece is supported on a movable table.

Abstract: In a conventional technology, it has been difficult to precisely position a gripping object when gripping the gripping object. Therefore, in the present invention, a multifingered hand includes a palm and a plurality of fingers having joints, to grip a tool with the palm and the plurality of fingers. The palm has a palm side contact surface brought into contact with a gripping object side contact surface of the tool. The palm side contact surface is provided with holes into which projections provided on the gripping object side contact surface are inserted. Moreover, when the projections are inserted into the holes, the tool is positioned in a tangential direction of the palm side contact surface, and the tool is also positioned in a rotational direction around a normal line of the palm side contact surface which is a rotary shaft center.

Abstract: End of arm tool (10) is used to load goods A and B in two layers in a packing container (8), with a packing insert positioned between the layers. The tool (10) also grasps a packing insert in the form of a flat sheet, bends the ends of the packing sheet downwardly to form an inverted U shape, and then inserts the packing insert in a straddling relationship about the lower layer of goods A, to protect the lower layer of goods from the weight applied by the upper layer of goods.

Abstract: To automatically perform an attachment work of a material supply to a target object, a robot system includes a robot provided with a body, a first arm provided for the body and having a plurality of joints, a second arm provided for the body separately from the first arm and having a plurality of joints, and hand units respectively provided for the first arm and the second arm. The robot holds one of a plurality of types of workpiece components using the hand units of the first arm and the second arm at the same time, and the remaining type of the workpiece components is held and carried by the hand unit of the first arm or the second arm.

Abstract: A handling for components having a similar shape, particularly motor vehicle body parts, wherein a gripper on an arm of a robot can grip the component and its similarly-shaped other components with one and the same clamp device without re-tooling, is equipped with two gripper chucks on each clamp device. However, only one gripper chuck can be steered into the grab positions in each case, while the other gripper chuck is then located in the parking position outside a grab area on the component.

Abstract: A palletizer machine and a method for palletizing layers, one on top of the other, of packs fed from an infeed transfer line includes a transfer unit for transferring single packs arriving from the line to a first operating position, a forming unit for feeding single packs from the operating position to a predefined forming position wherein a layer of packs is formed on a loading platform, a loading unit for transferring the layer of packs on the loading platform to a pick-up station, and a robot for picking up the layer from the pick-up station and forming a palletized load of layers one on top of the other.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a preheating chamber, a deposition chamber, a connection assembly connecting the preheating chamber to the deposition chamber, a first supporting assembly received in the preheating chamber, a second supporting assembly received in the deposition chamber, a number of posts capable of mounting on each of the first and second supporting assemblies, and a transferring robot arranged in the preheating chamber. The connection assembly includes a connection member defining a passage in communication with the preheating chamber and the deposition chamber and a partition plate moveably coupled to the connection member. The partition plate is configured for selectively closing or opening the passage. Each post fixes workpieces thereon. The transferring robot is configured for demounting the post from the two supporting assemblies, transferring the demounted post between the preheating chamber and the deposition chamber, and mounting the transferred post on the two supporting assemblies.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for visualizing air stream by little threads on aerodynamic surfaces such that strips of adhesive tape populated with threads are automatically fabricated.

Abstract: In an optical position detecting device, a position detecting section detects the position of a target object on the basis of a result obtained by receiving detection light, which is emitted from a light source section and reflected by the target object, using a light detection section. As seen from an emitting direction of the detection light, the light detection section is located inside a region surrounded by a closed circuit passing through a plurality of the light source sections or inside a region pinched by the plurality of light source sections. The plurality of light source sections has a first light-emitting element, and a second light-emitting element located closer to the light detection section side than the first light-emitting element. The light source driving section alternately turns on the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element.

Abstract: The robot hand includes a planetary gear unit into which a rotational power is input from a motor, first and second drive shafts to which a rotational power output from the planetary gear unit is transmitted, a finger having first and second joints respectively driven by the first and second drive shafts. The planetary gear unit includes a sun gear, a planetary gear meshing with external teeth of the sun gear, a planetary arm connected to the planetary gear to coordinately move with a rotation of the planetary gear on its on axis. The sun gear is connected to the motor. The planetary arm is connected to the first drive shaft. An internal gear is connected to the second drive shaft. A resistance generating unit is disposed for making the motion resistance of the internal gear lager than the motion resistance of the planetary arm.

Abstract: An optical position detecting device includes a plurality of light source sections which emits detection light, a light detection section which receives the detection light reflected by a target object located in an emitting space of the detection light, a light source driving section which turns on some light source sections among the plurality of light source sections in a first period and turns on, in a second period, light source sections different from the light source sections turned on in the first period, and a position detecting section which detects the position of the target object on the basis of a light-receiving result of the light detection section in the first period and the second period. Each of the light source sections includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arrayed in a direction intersecting the direction of the optical axis of the detection light.

Abstract: Teat cups are fetched from a teat cup magazine by a gripper carried on a robotic arm. The gripper grips and removes teat cups from the teat cup magazine. The gripper also holds at least one teat cup during transport thereof towards an udder where an animal's teats are located. A positioning element determines position estimates representing at least one spatial characteristic of the udder. Based on the position estimates, the robotic arm and the gripper are controlled to attach the teat cups to the teats where the position estimates constitutes a basis for controlling the robotic arm and the gripper to remove teat cups from the teat cup magazine in such a manner that a teat-receiving end of the teat cup attains a horizontal level in the gripper, which horizontal level is adapted to the at least one spatial characteristic of the udder.

Abstract: A medical manipulator system includes a manipulator including a working unit having a distal end at which an end effector for carrying out working is provided and an operating unit including an operating input unit for being operated for an input and a driving source for operating in response to contents of an operation of the operating input unit to drive the end effector, the working unit being removably attached to the operating unit. A controller to which the operating unit can be connected controls at least the driving source. A use history retaining unit is adapted to retain use history data for each working unit.

Abstract: A grasping device includes a first member, a fixed member fixed to the first member, a first finger member fixed to one end of the first member, a slide mechanism fixed to the first member, a first slider member slidably attached to the slide mechanism, a second member fixed to the first slider member at one end thereof, a guide mechanism fixed to the second member, a second slider member slidably attached to the guide mechanism, a second finger member fixed to the second slider member, and a displacement increasing mechanism that transmits a relative displacement between the fixed member and the first slider member to the second slider member.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assembling a pizza, including a pizza sauce spreading station, a cheese spreading station and a pepperoni applying station. A robot including a stationary base and an articulating arm having a gripper attached to the end is operable to grip a pizza pan having pizza dough therein to allow said robot to move the pan throughout the pizza sauce spreading station, and to a rotary dial system including the cheese spreading station and the pepperoni applying station. The robot arm manipulates the pizza pan in the sauce spreading station and the rotary dial system manipulates the pizza pan in the cheese station and the pepperoni applying station to properly distribute the cheese and pepperoni on the pizza.

Abstract: A robot (12) is used to pick parts from a bin (40 in FIG. 1). The robot has a compliant apparatus (42) and one or more tools are connected to the apparatus to perform the picking. The compliant apparatus has mechanisms for monitoring and/or controlling its compliance. The compliant apparatus can have various embodiments. Force sensing can be used during removal of grasped parts from the bin to determine the force exerted on the picking tool (s). The signal indicative of the exerted force can be used by the robot controller to determine the weight of the parts that may be held by the picking tool(s). The robot has one or more devices (FIG. 16, 17) which can be the picking tool to stir the parts in the bin.

Abstract: Motion information of a robot arm stored in a motion information database is acquired. A person manipulates the robot arm, and correction motion information at the time of the motion correction is acquired. An acquiring unit acquires environment information. A motion correction unit corrects the motion information while the robot arm is in motion. A control rule generating unit generates a control rule for allowing the robot arm to automatically operate based on the corrected motion information and the acquired environment information. The motion of the robot arm is controlled based on the generated control rule.

Abstract: A robot holds an untreated coarse aluminum casting that is located at a predetermined carrying-in corner with the holding means and carries it to the first machining unit. At the first unit it holds a treated casting treated by the first unit with the holding device as well as transferring the untreated casting from the holding device to the first unit. Then it carries the treated casting that has been treated by the first unit to a second machining unit. At the second unit it holds a second treated casting that has been treated by the second unit with the holding device as well as transferring the treated casting treated by the first unit from the holding device to the second unit. Then it carries the second treated casting treated by the second unit to a predetermined carrying-out corner.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a sensor system for detecting the surface structures of several packaged articles. An exemplary system comprises at least one laser distance detector that functions according to a triangulation principle and that determines the distance between the laser distance detector and a surface structure of a packaged article. The laser distance detector has at least one analog output via which a distance-proportional analog signal can be emitted. The analog output of at least one laser distance detector is in communication with an evaluation unit via an amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit encompasses at least one operational amplifier that has two inputs, and the analog signal of the laser distance detector is present at a first input of the at least one operational amplifier. A variable reference voltage is present at the other input of the at least one operational amplifier.

Abstract: An optical detection device includes: a translucent unit that has elasticity; a light source unit that emits detection light toward the translucent unit; a light sensitive unit that is directed toward the translucent unit and has light sensitivity; and a detection unit that detects a target object based on the intensity of light received by the light sensitive unit.

Abstract: A geometric end effector system for use on a robot. The system includes a platform and a frame secured to the platform. At least one base is arranged at a predetermined position on the frame. The system also has an anchor mount secured to the base and a component connected to an end of the anchor mount by a collar assembly. A key is arranged between the component and the anchor mount.

Abstract: A robot system includes a robot. A robot control device is configured to control an operation of the robot, and includes a workpiece shape memory configure to store a shape of workpieces. A shape sensor is configured to detect shape information about the workpieces. A target workpiece detector is configured to detect a graspable workpiece based on the shape information detected by the shape sensor. A grasping information memory is configured to store a grasping position indicating which portion of the graspable workpiece is to be grasped by the robot. A grasping operation controller is configured to control the robot to grasp the graspable workpiece detected by the target workpiece detector and to pick the grasped workpiece. A disturbing operation controller is configured to control, if no graspable workpiece is detected by the target workpiece detector, the robot to perform a workpiece disturbing operation.

Abstract: An industrial robot is used to assemble a part to a predetermined location on a randomly moving workpiece. The workpiece may be an automobile on an assembly line and the part may be a wheel (a tire mounted on a rim) to be assembled on one of the wheel hubs of the automobile. The robot has mounted on it a camera, a force sensor and a gripper to grip the part. After the robot grips the part, signals from both the force sensor and vision are used by a computing device to move the robot to a position where the robot can assemble the part to the predetermined location on the workpiece. The computing device can be the robot controller or a separate device such as a PC that is connected to the controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for producing and handling sausage-like product S and a method for controlling for controlling said system with the steps of filling a tubular casing with viscous or granular stuff, dividing the filled tubular casing into sausage-like products S and closing the sausage-like S products by closure clips in a clipping machine, feeding the sausage-like product S out of the clipping machine and storing the sausage-like product S on a rod-like element R in a hanging line 16 and gripping the rod-like element R by a robotic device and storing the rod-like element R in a storage frame 30. The method further comprises the steps of sensing the weight of the sausage-like product S after the sausage-like product S is stored on a rod-like element R, deriving a control signal for the clipping machine on the basis of the weight and controlling the clipping machine by a control unit on the basis of the control signal.

Abstract: A force sense presentation device for presenting a sense of force in virtual space to a user, comprises: a fixed unit which is gripped by the user; a force sense presentation unit which presents a sense of force; an actuator which supplies a driving force and operates the force sense presentation unit relative to the fixed unit; a joint unit which is provided between the fixed unit and the force sense presentation unit, and guides the relative operation of the force sense presentation unit; and a force sense rendering unit which controls the relative operation of the force sense presentation unit by the actuator, wherein the force sense presentation device simulates a device which is gripped and used by the user, and the force sense rendering unit controls the relative operation of the force sense presentation unit based on a position and orientation of the device in the virtual space.

Abstract: A multi-fingered robotic hand comprises a base, a rotation member rotatably connected to an end of the base, a driving means, and a plurality of digits. The driving means is configured for driving the rotation member to rotate. Each digit comprises a proximal phalanx, a middle phalanx and a first transmission member. The proximal phalanx is connected to the rotation member. The middle phalanx is rotatably connected to the proximal phalanx. The first transmission member includes two ends respectively attached to the proximal phalanx and the middle phalanx, wherein the first transmission member is configured for transmitting rotation of the proximal phalanx to the middle phalanx.

Abstract: A complex sensor comprises a touch sensor and a proximity sensor. The touch sensor comprises a flexible pressure-sensitive sheet covering a fingertip portion. The pressure-sensitive sheet comprises a front surface film and a rear surface film composed of a flexible conductive material, an intermediate film which is sandwiched between the films in a state in which the intermediate film is electrically connected and which is composed of pressure-sensitive conductive rubber, and first to fourth electrode terminals formed on the front surface and rear surface films. The size of a load acting on the pressure-sensitive sheet and the center position of the load can be detected based on the terminal voltage. A through-hole is formed in the pressure-sensitive sheet such that the sensing surface of the proximity sensor is exposed, thus the approach of a holding object can be detected.

Abstract: An arrangement for fetching a teat cup from a teat cup magazine in which each teat cup has a respective fixed position includes a reference entity in a fixed spatial relationship to the teat cup magazine and each teat cup stored therein; a remote detecting element that registers wireless energy reflected by the reference entity, and based thereon determines a respective position for the teat cup relative to a robotic arm. The robotic arm carries a gripper element configured to hold the teat cup during removal thereof from the teat cup magazine. The reference entity is configured to allow the remote detecting element to receive wireless energy reflected against the reference entity while moving the robotic arm towards the least one teat cup for removing the at least teat cup from the teat cup magazine.

Abstract: A robot according to this invention includes a driving mechanism, a first arm rotatably connected to the driving mechanism, a second arm rotatably connected to the first arm, and an X-shaped end effector rotatably disposed at the distal end of the second arm. Of the four distal ends of the end effector, two distal ends include holding units which can hold substrates in one direction, and the remaining two distal ends include holding units which can hold substrates in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for placing trays into sleeves is provided. The apparatus includes a conveyor system for transporting a mail tray, a sleeve blank presentment device and a robotic arm. The robotic arm is provided with an end of arm tool which retains and opens a sleeve blank. A tray induction system including a plurality of paddles configured to guide a tray into an open sleeve blank is also provided.

Abstract: An automated steel lamination stacking system for a transformer core. A computer controlled robot arm with a machine vision system locates each of a series of laminations formed by a core former. A hand with a pair of fingers disposed on the end of the robot arm sequentially grasps each of the laminations and transfers each lamination to a forming table which receives and shapes each lamination into a stack to form the desired transformer core. As the empty hand returns to retrieve the next lamination, an extended arm is activated to square the stack. If the preset number of laminations has been stacked and a desired weight has been reached, then the process is complete. Otherwise the stacking process continues. Because the laminations grow in size as the core is built, the stacking system adjusts the position of the fingers to grasp each lamination.

Abstract: A housing including a base and cover has an open space that is open to the atmosphere and a closed space that is closed to the atmosphere. The open space contains a laser having a low operating temperature. The closed space contains a heat generating element and the like, which have higher operating temperatures than the laser. The heat generating element is in close contact with the base, which also serves as a heatsink, so that the heat generating element is cooled. Most parts of a motor, which is a heat generating member, are disposed in the closed space. A fan is diagonally disposed with respect to side surfaces of the heat generating element, which has a rectangular shape and flat side surfaces, so as to efficiently blow air toward the heat generating element disposed in the closed space.

Abstract: A linear transfer mechanism includes a guide member, a transfer carriage movable along a horizontal linear transfer path provided on the guide member, and a drive mechanism provided with a drive pulley and an output belt wound around the drive pulley for reciprocating movement in a reciprocating movement section in parallel to the transfer path. The transfer mechanism also includes a drive source for driving the drive pulley. The transfer carriage is connected with the output belt of the drive mechanism by a connecting member. Both the drive mechanism and the drive source are supported by the guide member.

Abstract: A nanotweezer (1) according to the present invention includes: a supporting member (25); an observation probe (10) that projects out from the supporting member (25), and is used when observing a surface of a specimen; a movable arm (20) that is arranged next to the observation probe (10) projecting out from the supporting member (25), and makes closed or opened between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20) to hold or release the specimen held between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20); and a drive mechanism that drives the movable arm (20) so as to make closed or opened between the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20), and the supporting member (25), the observation probe (10) and the movable arm (20) are each formed by processing a semiconductor wafer (30) through a photolithography process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated medicine storage and medicine introduction/discharge management system, which includes a main body in which a plurality of receiving shelves is arranged, the main body having a door to enable user access, a medicine introduction/discharge unit installed in one side region of the main body to introduce or discharge a medicine product into or out of the main body, a robot transfer unit installed in the main body to transfer the medicine product, introduced via the medicine introduction/discharge unit, to each receiving space of the main body, or to discharge the medicine product received in the receiving space, and a control unit to control operations of the main body, the medicine introduction/discharge unit, and the robot transfer unit. The system is able to store a variety of medicine in a single main body and to achieve enhanced security for special medicine and efficient management of stock.

Abstract: An automated instrument for identification and/or characterization of a microbial agent present in a sample. The instrument includes (a) a sample removal apparatus operative to remove a test sample from a specimen container and add the test sample to a disposable separation device; (b) a separation and concentration apparatus operative on the separation device to separate the microbial agent from other components which may be present in the test sample and concentrate the microbial agent within the separation device; and (c) a identification and/or characterization module interrogating the concentrated microbial agent to identify and/or characterize the microbial agent.

Abstract: An automated method of packaging cooked French fries in an individual portion-sized French fry container is provided, wherein the cooked French fries are mechanically delivered to a holding bin, an empty French fry container is mechanically scooped into the cooked French fries to fill the container, and the filled French fry container is mechanically deposited at a drop-off location. The cooked French fries may be received on an inlet chute, the inlet chute optionally vibrated to assist gravity in causing the French fries to travel into the holding bin. Seasoning may be applied to the French fries while the French fries are on the inlet chute, optionally restrained by one or more gates. After filling, the filled container may be mechanically shaken. Additionally, the empty French fry containers may be mechanically selected from a plurality of different-sized collapsed containers, mechanically obtained, and mechanically erected prior to scooping.