The invention provides an apparatus for separating a cone sleeve (4) from a nested stack of cone sleeves (1) the apparatus comprising a chamber (2) having an upper (7) and a lower (8) surface connected by a wall or walls (6), the upper surface (7) having an upper circular opening (3) and the lower surface (8) having a lower circular opening (5) characterized in that the upper circular opening (3) has a circumference of from 100-135% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), the lower circular opening (5) has a circumference of from 95-99.5% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), and the chamber (2) has inlets (9) connectable to a pressurized gas supply. The invention also provides process that employs the apparatus, the process comprising the steps of providing a stack of nested cone sleeves (1); placing the lowermost end of the stack into the chamber (2) from above the chamber (2); and allowing the lowermost cone sleeve (4) to sit within the lower circular opening (5) and allowing the cone sleeves above the lower-most cone sleeve (4) to protrude from the top of the chamber (2) characterized in that pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber via the inlets (9) thereby to create an elevated pressure within the chamber (2).

The invention provides an apparatus for separating a cone sleeve (4) from a nested stack of cone sleeves (1) the apparatus comprising a chamber (2) having an upper (7) and a lower (8) surface connected by a wall or walls (6), the upper surface (7) having an upper circular opening (3) and the lower surface (8) having a lower circular opening (5) characterized in that the upper circular opening (3) has a circumference of from 100-135% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), the lower circular opening (5) has a circumference of from 95-99.5% of the maximum circumference of the cone sleeve (4), and the chamber (2) has inlets (9) connectable to a pressurized gas supply. The invention also provides process that employs the apparatus, the process comprising the steps of providing a stack of nested cone sleeves (1); placing the lowermost end of the stack into the chamber (2) from above the chamber (2); and allowing the lowermost cone sleeve (4) to sit within the lower circular opening (5) and allowing the cone sleeves above the lower-most cone sleeve (4) to protrude from the top of the chamber (2) characterized in that pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber via the inlets (9) thereby to create an elevated pressure within the chamber (2).

A system of mitigating force in a mechanical system, the system comprising a frame member, a first rail connected to the frame member, a second rail connected to the frame member and extending along the frame member in parallel to the first rail, an assembly movably engaging the first and second rails, and a first bracket located between the first and second rails, with at least one first bracket attachment secured to the frame member, the first bracket sharing an upper edge with a lower edge of the first rail, such that a downward force applied on the first rail is distributed to the first bracket and the frame member via the at least one first bracket attachment.

The disclosure relates to a device for the automated transfer of an elastomeric block between a first position, where it is installed on a flexible support, and a second position. The device comprises a gripper that is able to take hold of the block and a manipulator that is able to move and orient the gripper so as to set the block in motion.

The disclosure also relates to a method for running such a device.

A system for releasing edible material is disclosed. The system comprises: a plurality of compartments adapted to receive a respective plurality of capsules, each capsule containing therein an edible material; a dispenser system configured for dispensing into an environment a fluid obtained from at least one edible material; and a controller configured for receiving data pertaining to a selection of at least two of the compartments and for signaling the dispenser system to dispense fluids obtained from edible materials contained in capsules of the selected compartments.

An object of the present invention is to develop a device and a method by which cargo handling is automatically performed to eliminate overlaps among articles. When loaded with a plurality of articles M, a cargo handling device eliminates overlaps among the articles M. The cargo handling device has an article placement surface on which the articles M are placed. The cargo handling device performs a cargo handling operation that turns and/or rotates the articles M on the article placement surface to eliminate the overlaps among the articles M.

An apparatus for separating battery plates comprising a work surface for receiving a stack of battery plates, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the battery plates on the work surface. The work surface is movable between a first position in which it is angled with respect to a horizontal plane and a second position in which it is substantially aligned with the horizontal plane. When the work surface moves between the first and second position adjacent battery plates of the stack are displaced relative to each other.

An apparatus for separating battery plates comprising a work surface for receiving a stack of battery plates, and an alignment mechanism for aligning the battery plates on the work surface. The work surface is movable between a first position in which it is angled with respect to a horizontal plane and a second position in which it is substantially aligned with the horizontal plane. When the work surface moves between the first and second position adjacent battery plates of the stack are displaced relative to each other.

A food product package for storing and dispensing food products. The food product package comprises a container including a bottom wall and a continuous sidewall extending from the bottom wall and connected to the bottom wall so as to form a storage cavity within the container, a plurality of food products disposed within the storage cavity, a single strip interleaving the food products, and a peelable top film bonded onto the continuous sidewall of the container thereby to seal the storage cavity within the container. The peelable top film peelable off the continuous sidewall of the container so as to open the storage cavity and provide access to the food products disposed within the container.

Automated lumber handling systems include one or more lumber-scanning sensors that travel independently of a board-carrying trolley to reduce board retrieval times and increase scanning accuracy and resolution. In some examples, the lumber handling systems retrieve various size boards from a series of spaced-apart stations, and deliver chosen boards in a certain sequence to a saw. The saw then cuts the boards to sizes suitable for making prefabricated roof trusses and/or wall frames.