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.

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.

A rotational device is provided that reorients a container from a first orientation to a second orientation in a manufacturing line and receives and reorients containers with different dimensions. The rotational device has an enclosed passageway defined by four continuous, turning surfaces that contribute to the ability of the rotational device to receive and reorient containers with different dimensions. In one embodiment, the passageway of the rotational device rotates 90 degrees in a clockwise manner. The bottoms of the different sized container are aligned with a right edge of an entrance of the passageway that corresponds to a surface that turns and defines the bottom edge of an exit of the passageway. Thus, the rotational device can receive containers with different dimensions while reduces the movement or jostling of the containers within the passageway.

A method for transferring at least one object (7) from a conveying surface (9) of a supply conveyor (6) onto a surface (15), the method including the following steps: —conveying the object (7) in a conveying direction, the object (7) including a base (7a) that rests on the conveying surface (9), —bringing the object (7) into contact with a guide (16) placed in the conveying direction at a distance from the downstream end line (12) of the supply conveyor (6), —ending the contact between the base (7a) of the object and the conveying surface (9), —dropping the object (7) onto the receiving surface (15), the step of ending the contact between the base (7a) of the object (7) and the conveying surface (9) only taking place after the step of bringing the object (7) into contact with the guide (16).

A method for transferring at least one object (7) from a conveying surface (9) of a supply conveyor (6) onto a surface (15), the method including the following steps: —conveying the object (7) in a conveying direction, the object (7) including a base (7a) that rests on the conveying surface (9), —bringing the object (7) into contact with a guide (16) placed in the conveying direction at a distance from the downstream end line (12) of the supply conveyor (6), —ending the contact between the base (7a) of the object and the conveying surface (9), —dropping the object (7) onto the receiving surface (15), the step of ending the contact between the base (7a) of the object (7) and the conveying surface (9) only taking place after the step of bringing the object (7) into contact with the guide (16).

Provided is a raw material supply device and a device for processing electronic and electrical device part scraps, which can control dropping positions of a raw material containing substances having different shapes and specific gravities, as well as a method for processing electronic and electrical device part scraps using those devices. A raw material supply device 4 includes an accommodating portion 41 for feeding a raw material 100 to a predetermined position, wherein the raw material supply device 4 includes: a receiving port 43 having a first opening 433 for receiving the raw material 100 on a top surface of the accommodation portion 41; a discharge port 42 having a second opening 422 for discharging the raw material 100 on a bottom surface of the accommodating portion 41, the second opening 422 having a cross-sectional area lower than that of the first opening 433; a first guide surface 412 in a front of a side surface of the accommodating portion 41, the first guide surface 412 extending in a vertical direction through the discharge port 42 from the receiving port 43 so as to be contacted with the raw material 100 dropped toward a front of a conveying unit 2 to guide the raw material 100 downward; and a second guide surface 411 on a surface opposing to the first guide surface 412, of the side surface of the accommodating portion 41, the second guide surface 411 being provided with an inclined surface 411a that is continuous with the discharge port 42 and is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and wherein the first guide surface 412 extends such that a lowermost end portion of the first guide surface 412 is located below an intersection P of an extended line extending in an inclination direction of the second guide surface 411 with the first guide surface 412.

Provided is a raw material supply device and a device for processing electronic and electrical device part scraps, which can control dropping positions of a raw material containing substances having different shapes and specific gravities, as well as a method for processing electronic and electrical device part scraps using those devices. A raw material supply device 4 includes an accommodating portion 41 for feeding a raw material 100 to a predetermined position, wherein the raw material supply device 4 includes: a receiving port 43 having a first opening 433 for receiving the raw material 100 on a top surface of the accommodation portion 41; a discharge port 42 having a second opening 422 for discharging the raw material 100 on a bottom surface of the accommodating portion 41, the second opening 422 having a cross-sectional area lower than that of the first opening 433; a first guide surface 412 in a front of a side surface of the accommodating portion 41, the first guide surface 412 extending in a vertical direction through the discharge port 42 from the receiving port 43 so as to be contacted with the raw material 100 dropped toward a front of a conveying unit 2 to guide the raw material 100 downward; and a second guide surface 411 on a surface opposing to the first guide surface 412, of the side surface of the accommodating portion 41, the second guide surface 411 being provided with an inclined surface 411a that is continuous with the discharge port 42 and is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and wherein the first guide surface 412 extends such that a lowermost end portion of the first guide surface 412 is located below an intersection P of an extended line extending in an inclination direction of the second guide surface 411 with the first guide surface 412.

A material transfer system for a machine having a conveyor adapted to transfer material into a material holding space of a receptacle. The material transfer system also includes an adjustable deflector positioned proximate to a discharge end of the conveyor. The material transfer system further includes a sensor positioned proximate to the discharge end of the conveyor. The sensor is configured to monitor the material holding space of the receptacle. The material transfer system includes a controller communicably coupled with the adjustable deflector and the sensor. The controller is configured to receive a first input signal from at least one of the sensor and a machine operator for adjusting a position of the adjustable deflector, determine an optimal position of the adjustable deflector based on receipt of the first input signal, and generate a first command signal for adjusting the position of the adjustable deflector to the optimal position.

A material transfer system for a machine having a conveyor adapted to transfer material into a material holding space of a receptacle. The material transfer system also includes an adjustable deflector positioned proximate to a discharge end of the conveyor. The material transfer system further includes a sensor positioned proximate to the discharge end of the conveyor. The sensor is configured to monitor the material holding space of the receptacle. The material transfer system includes a controller communicably coupled with the adjustable deflector and the sensor. The controller is configured to receive a first input signal from at least one of the sensor and a machine operator for adjusting a position of the adjustable deflector, determine an optimal position of the adjustable deflector based on receipt of the first input signal, and generate a first command signal for adjusting the position of the adjustable deflector to the optimal position.

A material conveyor apparatus is described comprising a conveyer device having a material receiving end suitable for receiving material such as overburden or mineral at a working site, a material discharge end distal of the material receiving end, and a material transport system disposed between the material receiving end and the discharge end so as in use to cause material received at the material receiving end to be conveyed to the material discharge end; an scanning system comprising a scanning device disposed to scan the material being conveyed to the material discharge end and obtain a response from the material from which the material may be classified at least into two classes comprising at least a waste class and a useable ore class based on the response; a chassis supporting the conveyor device and the scanning device; a transport carriage supporting the chassis and adapted to cause the chassis to be movable across a surface for deployment in use.