A magnetic ink reading device includes a housing having a slot through which a medium is inserted, a roller driven by a motor by which the medium is conveyed along a conveyance path, one or more sensors arranged along the conveyance path and configured to detect the medium at one or more respective positions, a magnetic head configured to read a magnetic pattern formed on the medium with magnetic ink, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the motor to convey the medium inserted through the slot, measure a length in a conveyance direction of the medium using outputs from the sensors, and control the magnetic head to read the magnetic pattern from the medium while controlling the motor to continuously convey the medium for a period corresponding to the measured length.

A magnetic ink reading device includes a housing having a slot through which a medium is inserted, a roller driven by a motor by which the medium is conveyed along a conveyance path, one or more sensors arranged along the conveyance path and configured to detect the medium at one or more respective positions, a magnetic head configured to read a magnetic pattern formed on the medium with magnetic ink, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the motor to convey the medium inserted through the slot, measure a length in a conveyance direction of the medium using outputs from the sensors, and control the magnetic head to read the magnetic pattern from the medium while controlling the motor to continuously convey the medium for a period corresponding to the measured length.

Stacking machines, delivery units, and methods suitable for handling and stacking sheets of material, and particularly sheets of magnetizable materials that are relatively heavy and susceptible to damage during a stacking operation. Such a stacking machine includes at least one delivery unit equipped with a belt and a magnetic unit. The belt and magnetic unit are adapted to operate in cooperation with each other to magnetically carry individual sheets of a magnetizable material from one side of the machine to another. The delivery unit may be part of a kit that can be installed as a unit on an existing stacking machine.

Stacking machines, delivery units, and methods suitable for handling and stacking sheets of material, and particularly sheets of magnetizable materials that are relatively heavy and susceptible to damage during a stacking operation. Such a stacking machine includes at least one delivery unit equipped with a belt and a magnetic unit. The belt and magnetic unit are adapted to operate in cooperation with each other to magnetically carry individual sheets of a magnetizable material from one side of the machine to another. The delivery unit may be part of a kit that can be installed as a unit on an existing stacking machine.

Stacking machines, delivery units, and methods suitable for handling and stacking sheets of material, and particularly sheets of magnetizable materials that are relatively heavy and susceptible to damage during a stacking operation. Such a stacking machine includes at least one delivery unit equipped with a belt and a magnetic unit. The belt and magnetic unit are adapted to operate in cooperation with each other to magnetically carry individual sheets of a magnetizable material from one side of the machine to another. The delivery unit may be part of a kit that can be installed as a unit on an existing stacking machine.

A conveyor for conveying good. According to one embodiment the conveyor includes a holding unit for holding or releasing the goods with respect to a conveyor belt. The holding unit includes vacuum holding means and magnetic holding means. The magnetic holding means includes at least one movable element that comprises at least one magnet or has a magnet attached thereto. The movable element is able to deactivate the magnetic holding means by distancing the magnet from the conveyor belt, and is also able to be arrange in a closed position in which the movable element blocks a vacuum conduit extending through the conveyor belt.

An electrode stacking apparatus includes a stator with a horizontally installed main surface and multiple coils arranged under the main surface. A movable unit for stacking work includes a first mover that is movable above the main surface by magnetic levitation, an electrode holding unit, and a driving mechanism. The electrode holding unit is configured to press, from above, the base on top of the first mover and the sheet-type electrodes fed on the base's top surface. The driving mechanism drives the electrode holding unit by an external force acting thereon. The movable unit for operation work includes a second mover which can move above the main surface and an operation unit which operates the driving mechanism. A control unit is configured to control movements of the movable unit for stacking work and the movable unit for operation work by adjusting an amount of current flowed through the coils.

An electrode stacking apparatus includes a stator with a horizontally installed main surface and multiple coils arranged under the main surface. A movable unit for stacking work includes a first mover that is movable above the main surface by magnetic levitation, an electrode holding unit, and a driving mechanism. The electrode holding unit is configured to press, from above, the base on top of the first mover and the sheet-type electrodes fed on the base's top surface. The driving mechanism drives the electrode holding unit by an external force acting thereon. The movable unit for operation work includes a second mover which can move above the main surface and an operation unit which operates the driving mechanism. A control unit is configured to control movements of the movable unit for stacking work and the movable unit for operation work by adjusting an amount of current flowed through the coils.