An improved disc feeder/conveyor (2) with optical sensor (200) and return chute (10) for multiple industrial, commercial or agricultural applications. The conveyor (2) comprises a pair of co-rotating (or counter-rotating) roller shafts (11A, 11B) driven by a belt (104) drive. The rollers (11A, 11B) are non-parallel, slightly angled, and the rotation of the shafts frictionally engages, the sample caps or other elements being advanced away from the production line causing the items seated thereon advance. Sensors (200, 202) detect the presence/absence of items on the rollers for gating. Another pair of co- or counter-rotating roller shafts (15A, 15B) may act as a return chute (10).

A maintenance system is disclosed for assisting in maintaining an automated carrier system for moving objects to be processed. The maintenance system includes a plurality of automated carriers that are adapted to move on an array of discontinuous standard track sections, each said automated carrier including a carrier body that is no larger in either a length or width direction that a standard track section, and an automated maintenance carrier that is adapted to move on the array of discontinuous track sections, said automated maintenance system including a maintenance body that is larger in at least one of a length or width direction than the standard track section.

A track assembly for an automation system can define a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a transverse direction. The track assembly can include a track, a cover, and a clip. The track can include a hole and the cover can include a groove that extends in the horizontal direction. The clip can be configured to slide within the groove of the cover and configured to be positioned, at least partially, within the hole of the track.

A control unit selectively executes a first control of, while the unmanned transport vehicle is holding the transport body on the holding section, receiving electric power from the second electrical energy storage device via the second power transmitting unit and the first power receiving unit and at least either charging the first electrical energy storage device or supplying electric power to the travel section and a second control of, while the unmanned transport vehicle is holding the transport body on the holding section, receiving electric power from the first electrical energy storage device via the first power transmitting unit and the second power receiving unit and charging the second electrical energy storage device.

A control unit selectively executes a first control of, while the unmanned transport vehicle is holding the transport body on the holding section, receiving electric power from the second electrical energy storage device via the second power transmitting unit and the first power receiving unit and at least either charging the first electrical energy storage device or supplying electric power to the travel section and a second control of, while the unmanned transport vehicle is holding the transport body on the holding section, receiving electric power from the first electrical energy storage device via the first power transmitting unit and the second power receiving unit and charging the second electrical energy storage device.

A support member includes a first positioning portion for properly positioning a small container, and a second positioning portion for properly positioning a large container. The first positioning portion includes one or more first support members for supporting the small container, and first engaging members for engaging first engaged portions. The second positioning portion includes one or more second support members for supporting the large container at a height at which the bottom surface of the large container is located at a higher position than the upper ends of the first engaging members, a second engaging member provided outside the first supporting area for engaging a second engaged portion, and one or more contact members provided outside the first supporting area for contacting the large container from one or more sides.

A support member includes a first positioning portion for properly positioning a small container, and a second positioning portion for properly positioning a large container. The first positioning portion includes one or more first support members for supporting the small container, and first engaging members for engaging first engaged portions. The second positioning portion includes one or more second support members for supporting the large container at a height at which the bottom surface of the large container is located at a higher position than the upper ends of the first engaging members, a second engaging member provided outside the first supporting area for engaging a second engaged portion, and one or more contact members provided outside the first supporting area for contacting the large container from one or more sides.

Conveyor system for the transporting of goods items, with one or more transport units, each of which comprises a load carrying means for accommodating a transport container, the transport units being movable along a conveyor track in or opposite to a direction of conveying, with at least one discharge facility for discharging an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item onto the load carrying means of a transport unit, and at least one retrieval facility for retrieving an empty transport container or one laden with a goods item from a load carrying means of a transport unit, where the transport containers comprise first, or small, transport containers with a first length and a first width, which is smaller than the first length, at least two of which may in each case be accommodated next to one another on a load carrying means of a transport unit with their longitudinal extension transverse to the direction of conveying, and where each transport unit is provided with a first retaining means and each small transport container is provided with a second retaining means, the first retaining means being designed to interact with the second retaining means of one or more small transport containers accommodated transversely to the direction of conveying, and to restrict movement of a small transport container in or transversely to the direction of conveying relative to the load carrying means in a predetermined measure; and method for the transporting of goods items using the conveyor system.

A tablet printing device includes a first conveying disk that conveys a tablet while sucking and supporting a side surface of the tablet and an inkjet head capable of applying print processing to the front and back surfaces of the tablet conveyed by the conveying disk. The tablet is conveyed while being supported by a second conveying disk at its front and back surfaces and subjected to inspection of the side surface by a side surface inspection device. The tablet is transferred from the second conveying disk to the first conveying disk at a tablet delivery part and then supported by a suction hole formed in an end surface of the first conveying disk with the front and back surfaces fully exposed. The front and back surfaces are subjected to print processing ead, followed by print inspection, and only a non-defective tablet is discharged through a non-defective tablet discharge part.

An assembly machine includes a plurality of track modules, each track module including a section of track, the plurality of track modules connectable to form a continuous circuitous track, the continuous circuitous track configured to receive a dispensing head, the dispensing head configured to rotate about the continuous circuitous track and at least partially assemble an unfinished product. The machine includes a first feeder module attached to a first length of the continuous circuitous track configured to feed a component to the dispensing head, and a first placement module attached to a second length of the continuous circuitous track configured to receive the unfinished product. The dispensing head is configured to place the component on the unfinished product. The assembly machine is reconfigurable by attaching or removing one or more of the plurality of track modules, the first feeder module and the first placement module.