A system for feeding a diaphragm comprises a diaphragm separating device adapted to separate a single diaphragm from a stack of diaphragms and a visual device adapted to identify the single diaphragm and a position of the single diaphragm separated from the stack.

A filter moving device is disclosed that is designed to lift and move a filter cartridge stack comprised of individual filter cartridges. The filter cartridge stack, for instance, may comprise a plurality of disk-shaped filter cartridges. The filter moving device is designed to be placed over the stack. The device includes lifting elements that engage the stack for removing the stack from a filter assembly and/or installing the stack in a filter assembly.

A filter moving device is disclosed that is designed to lift and move a filter cartridge stack comprised of individual filter cartridges. The filter cartridge stack, for instance, may comprise a plurality of disk-shaped filter cartridges. The filter moving device is designed to be placed over the stack. The device includes lifting elements that engage the stack for removing the stack from a filter assembly and/or installing the stack in a filter assembly.

The invention relates to a dispenser for transferring layers of goods from a pallet onto a receiving surface and then down a discharge conveyor. The dispenser incorporates a vertically movable platform capable of bringing a first tier of goods in alignment with a rotary table. Sweeper arm moves the goods on to the table as it rotates. Goods accumulate on the rotary table and then become guided down a discharge conveyor for further processing.

A storage system and a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in the storage system are described. The storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern can include a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. The load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load-handling device includes a container-receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container-receiving space. The load handling device has a footprint that, in use, occupies only a single grid space in the storage system.

A storage system and a load handling device for lifting and moving containers stacked in the storage system are described. The storage system includes a plurality of rails or tracks arranged in a grid pattern above the stacks of containers. The grid pattern can include a plurality of grid spaces and each stack is located within a footprint of only a single grid space. The load handling device is configured to move laterally on the rails or tracks above the stacks. The load-handling device includes a container-receiving space located above the rails or tracks in use and a lifting device arranged to lift a container from a stack into the container-receiving space. The load handling device has a footprint that, in use, occupies only a single grid space in the storage system.

Various embodiments described herein generally relate to techniques for conveying articles on a conveyor system of a robotic material handling system in a material handling environment. In accordance with an embodiment, the robotic material handling system includes a front portion and a rearward conveyor. The front portion may be expandable to a first configuration and retractable to a second configuration. On detecting a jam on the front portion, the robotic material handling system may actuate expansion of the front portion to the first configuration, and attempt to dislodge the jammed articles by causing one or more of (i) separating the jammed articles by activating one or more of a plurality of zones of the front portion under the jammed articles, and/or (ii) activating one or more of the plurality of zones under the jammed articles in a reverse direction.

A control apparatus includes a first information acquiring section that acquires three-dimensional information of a first region of surfaces of a plurality of objects, the information being obtained by imaging or scanning the plurality of objects from a first location; a second information acquiring section that acquires three-dimensional information of a second region of surfaces of the plurality of objects, the information being obtained by imaging or scanning the plurality of objects from a second location; and a combining section that generates information indicating three-dimensional shapes of at least a portion of the surfaces of the plurality of objects, based on the three-dimensional information of the first region acquired by the first information acquiring section and the three-dimensional information of the second region acquired by the second information acquiring section.

A control apparatus includes a first information acquiring section that acquires three-dimensional information of a first region of surfaces of a plurality of objects, the information being obtained by imaging or scanning the plurality of objects from a first location; a second information acquiring section that acquires three-dimensional information of a second region of surfaces of the plurality of objects, the information being obtained by imaging or scanning the plurality of objects from a second location; and a combining section that generates information indicating three-dimensional shapes of at least a portion of the surfaces of the plurality of objects, based on the three-dimensional information of the first region acquired by the first information acquiring section and the three-dimensional information of the second region acquired by the second information acquiring section.

A hand includes a plurality of first gripping members which move relative to each other, a first drive unit configured to move the plurality of first gripping members in a first opening and closing direction to bring the plurality of first gripping members close to each other or separate them from each other, a plurality of second gripping members which move relative to each other independently from the plurality of first gripping members, a second drive unit configured to move the plurality of second gripping members in a second opening and closing direction to bring the plurality of second gripping members close to each other or separate them from each other, and a third drive unit configured to move the plurality of first gripping members relative to the plurality of second gripping members in a third direction intersecting the first and second opening and closing directions.