A singling unit for articles stacked in a nested configuration includes at least two stacks of articles stacked in a nested configuration, an extractor group to extract single articles from each stack, and a conveyor to receive the articles singled by the extractor group and to transport them along an advance direction arranged in at least one row substantially parallel to the advance direction. The extractor group is configured to deposit on the conveyor the articles extracted from the stacks in a number of rows smaller than the number of the stacks.

A tote accumulator includes stack retaining latches that are configured to be acted on by a cam and follower mechanism and additionally by a holding mechanism. The cam and follower mechanism is configured to act on the stack retaining latches when the stack of totes is moved vertically by a lifting member, to move the stack retaining latches into an active dwell wherein the stack retaining latches are engaged with the stack of totes. The holding mechanism is configured to be activated to extend the active dwell after the cam and follower mechanism ceases to act on the stack retaining latches. The active dwell is extended even further by a mechanical interlocking feature between the latches and the totes. In various implementations, the design of the cam and follower arrangement and the activation timing of the holding mechanism may be adapted to execute a stacking or an unstacking operation.

Apparatus and methods for separating dishware are disclosed. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame that defines an opening through which stacked dishware can pass, and a plurality of assemblies connected to the frame and positioned around the opening. Each assembly includes a base, and a plurality of fingers having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plurality of fingers are rotatably coupled to the base and extend from the base towards the opening, wherein each finger tapers towards the distal end.

Support unit, constituting part of a denesting apparatus, said support unit supporting a stack (2) of trays, cups or other receptacles (10) to be denested in the denesting apparatus, such that trays, cups or other receptacles (10) are dispensed one by one from a lower part of the stack (2), where said support unit comprises two vertical guides arranged in close proximity to the stack on opposing sides of said stack, and where on each vertical guide two or more engagement pads (12, 13; 14, 15) are provided, which engagement pads are suitable to simultaneously contact a plurality of edges of the trays, cups or other receptacles (10) to be denested, in a sequential manner, such that at least one engagement pad on either side is in contact with a plurality of edges of the trays, cups or other receptacles to be denested at a time

A dispensing device for dispensing lids from a stack of nested lids, including a magazine containing a stack; a denesting unit arranged at a bottom of the magazine to detach lids from the stack bottom; and denesting rollers each of which has a lower shelf, a first upper shelf above a bottom shelf, and a second upper shelf above the first upper shelf. Some of the rollers comprise a first separator, and other denesting rollers comprise at least a second separator. The rollers are rotatable between a rest position in which the stack rests on the lower shelves; a single release position in which the first separators engage the stack to detach the last item from the stack bottom; and said rest position and a multiple release position in which the second separators engage the stack to detach at least the last two items from the stack bottom.

The present invention provides an automatic analysis device and an automatic specimen processing system having a component-rack supply mechanism that, in a state where a plurality of component racks each having a disposable component mounted thereon are stacked, separates only a component rack at the leading stage of the stack from the other component racks, and supplies the separated component rack to the automatic analysis device or the automatic specimen processing system. Specifically, the automatic analysis device and the automatic specimen processing system have a supply mechanism including a separation mechanism that, in a state where a plurality of component racks are stacked, separates only a component rack at the leading stage of the stack from the other component racks, where the separation mechanism includes a movable mechanism having a pair of downward-movement prevention members that can separate the leading stage from the second stage of the stacked component racks; and a correction mechanism having a pair of correction members that correct a positional deviation of the component racks in order to avoid an influence of the positional deviation of the stacked component racks.

A tote accumulator includes stack retaining latches that are configured to be acted on by a cam and follower mechanism and additionally by a holding mechanism. The cam and follower mechanism is configured to act on the stack retaining latches when the stack of totes is moved vertically by a lifting member, to move the stack retaining latches into an active dwell wherein the stack retaining latches are engaged with the stack of totes. The holding mechanism is configured to be activated to extend the active dwell after the cam and follower mechanism ceases to act on the stack retaining latches. The active dwell is extended even further by a mechanical interlocking feature between the latches and the totes. In various implementations, the design of the cam and follower arrangement and the activation timing of the holding mechanism may be adapted to execute a stacking or an unstacking operation.

A dispensing device for dispensing lids from a stack of nested lids, including a magazine containing a stack; a denesting unit arranged at a bottom of the magazine to detach lids from the stack bottom; and denesting rollers each of which has a lower shelf, a first upper shelf above a bottom shelf, and a second upper shelf above the first upper shelf. Some of the rollers comprise a first separator, and other denesting rollers comprise at least a second separator. The rollers are rotatable between a rest position in which the stack rests on the lower shelves; a single release position in which the first separators engage the stack to detach the last item from the stack bottom; and said rest position and a multiple release position in which the second separators engage the stack to detach at least the last two items from the stack bottom.

A gripping device for gripping an egg tray (3A) having a dimpled structure includes a gripping unit (4) that is movable up and down to engage and grip the egg tray (3A) and move it. The gripping unit comprises (4) at least a pair of opposite grip ping members (42A, 42B) which are movable in opposite directions, substantially transverse to the up and down movement of the unit (4), from a retracted position to an advanced position to grip a dimple (31) of the egg tray (3A), and from the advanced position to the retracted position to release the dimple. Each gripping member (42A, 42B) of said pair has a separate pressure operated actuator (46) operatively connected to it. The actuator (46), upon pressurization, moves the corresponding gripping member (42A, 42B) from the retracted position to the advanced position.

A gripping device for gripping an egg tray (3A) having a dimpled structure includes a gripping unit (4) that is movable up and down to engage and grip the egg tray (3A) and move it. The gripping unit comprises (4) at least a pair of opposite grip ping members (42A, 42B) which are movable in opposite directions, substantially transverse to the up and down movement of the unit (4), from a retracted position to an advanced position to grip a dimple (31) of the egg tray (3A), and from the advanced position to the retracted position to release the dimple. Each gripping member (42A, 42B) of said pair has a separate pressure operated actuator (46) operatively connected to it. The actuator (46), upon pressurization, moves the corresponding gripping member (42A, 42B) from the retracted position to the advanced position.