Abstract:
An illustrative example tube handling machine includes a lifter configured to receive a plurality of tubes when at least a portion of the lifter is at a first position. The lifter is configured to lift the plurality of tubes to a second, higher vertical position. A plurality of cells are respectively configured for at least temporarily holding the plurality of tubes. A first one of the cells is situated to receive the plurality of tubes from the lifter at the second vertical position. The cells are situated relative to each other such that the plurality of tubes can be sequentially transferred among the cells from the first one of the cells to a last one of the cells that releases the plurality of tubes to a delivery location.
Abstract:
An implement is disclosed for use in moving a fire tube in relation to a heat treater. The disclosed implement includes a frame extending along a first axis, a shaft extending from the frame along a second axis, and a stabilizer extending from the frame that is configured to inhibit rotation of the fire tube when the implement is employed to move the fire tube.
Abstract:
A rack feeds sticks of pipe to a machine for serial fusion to the trailing end of a pipeline. Multiple independent spaced apart feeders support transverse bundles of sticks of pipe on beams. Legs which support the beams above the ground have jacks to vary the height and slope of the beams. The slope is set so that sticks tend to roll toward the lower front end of the beam where roller assemblies receive the sticks of pipe as they are manually rolled, one at a time, off the beams. All of the rack components are modular and interchangeably connectable so that the feeder can be quickly adapted for a variety of conditions and applications.
Abstract:
A system for bundling long ferrous products comprises a roller table for delivering the products longitudinally to a receiving station. A cradle is spaced laterally from the receiving station and is constructed and arranged to receive and accumulate the products in bundle form. A stacker is positioned between the receiving station and the cradle, and a pre-stacker is positioned between the stacker and the receiving station. A transport system laterally advances products from the receiving station to the pre-stacker, and the pre-stacker operates in concert with the transport system to pre-stack multiple layers of the products into sub-bundles and to transfer the sub-bundles to the stacker, which then operates to deposit the sub-bundles in the cradle.
Abstract:
A tube handling device for inserting tubes into a tube filling machine, relocating tubes within the tube filling machine and/or removing tubes from the tube filing machine, comprises at least one movable carrier having a plurality of tube grippers disposed in at least one gripper row. An adjusting device is disposed on the carrier comprising at least one drive device whose drive mechanism can be translated into a relative motion of the tube grippers along the gripper row using a transfer device. The tube grippers can be adjusted using the adjusting device between a first relative position in which they have a first predetermined mutual distance, and at least one second relative position in which they have a second predetermined mutual distance. The transfer device is thereby formed by scissor action arms which can be pulled apart and pushed together using the drive device. The drive device is formed by two pneumatic cylinders oriented parallel in the longitudinal direction of the gripper row and acting in opposite directions.
Abstract:
A test tube orienting system consisting of a test tube hopper, and a test tube transport system for directing test tubes out of the test tube hopper with a consistent orientation. The test tube hopper has an open mouth, an internal cavity communicating with the mouth, and a side wall enclosing the cavity. The side wall has a downwardly inwards sloping channel extending along the side wall from the mouth. The transport system directs the test tubes axially upwards along the channel, and includes an endless chain and a series of pins affixed to the endless chain, extending through the channel into the internal cavity. The endless chain is coupled to a motor for moving the pins upwards along the channel, and is inclined at an acute angle to the channel for progressively retracting the tube supports from the internal cavity as the pins move upwards along the channel.
Abstract:
Apparatus for storing and dispensing cylindrical articles to a transport line located alongside the apparatus comprising a storage unit which is mounted for vertical movement and is provided with a plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced shelves which are inclined towards the transport line and a transfer unit located between the shelves and the transport line having a member mounted for vertical movement between blocking and unblocking position with the member blocking the exit from the aligned shelf when in blocking position and freeing the exit when in unblocking position to permit transfer of an object from the shelf onto the surface thereof and which is adapted to effect transfer of said object from the surface thereof when the adjacent portion of the transport line is free, and means controlling vertical movement of the shelves responsive to the absence of an object on a shelf aligned with the transfer unit, said means being responsive to contacts to reverse the movement of the shelf when in its upper position and in its lower position and to control shelf movement by an increment corresponding to the spaced relationship between the shelves in the absence of an article on the aligned shelf.
Abstract:
Apparatus for handling bars including a support plane configured to support a plurality of bars having an oblong development, and handling devices configured to remove a bar from a removal zone of the support plane and to deliver it to a delivery zone. Movement devices are associated with the support plane which are configured to distribute the bars on the support plane and to move them toward the removal zone.
Abstract:
A method for storing cardboard tubes (2) in a storing unit according to the present invention comprising the following steps: providing a storage unit with an input section for the tubes (2), a storage section (AC) comprising a plurality of storing planes (13), an output section for the tubes (2), transfer means (3) for transferring the tubes (2) from the input section to the storage section, and discharge means for conveying the tubes (2) from the storing section to the output section; providing a plurality of cardboard tubes (2) in the input section (E) of said storage unit; transferring the tubes (2) from the input section of the storage unit to the storage section; storing a plurality of tubes (2) in said storage section (AC); transferring the tubes (2) from said storage section (AC) to said output section. The step of transferring the tubes (2) from said input section to said storage section involves more tubes (2) simultaneously, whereby a plurality of tubes (2) are transferred from said input section simultaneously on a plurality of storing planes (13) of the storage section (AC).