Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking articles in a side-by-side stack and feeding the stacks to a discharge conveyor. Articles such as video cassette containers or CD containers, are conveyed in an upright singulated fashion by a guide arrangement. Each individual article enters a transfer location where it is supported by a transfer platform. A pusher device extends to push the article from the transfer location onto a support platform. The support platform supports the individual articles as they are assembled into a stack. After the pusher device has been retracted, a hold-back member is extended to support the outermost article of the assembled stack. Once a stack of articles has been assembled, a stack pusher assembly pushes the stack off of the support platform and onto an outfeed conveyor assembly. A back-up slide assembly supports the outermost article of the stack as the stack is assembled by the stacker mechanism.

Abstract: A retractable arm serves as a combined pushing mechanism and dead plate for holding and moving articles that have been stacked onto an accumulation tray for a stacking station in an article sortation conveying system. The stacking station stacks articles sequentially onto the accumulation tray standing upright on edge and in series side-by-side. While the articles are being stacked, the retractable arm is positioned in the down position and positioned so that a first side of the arm holds the articles on edge without tipping, much like a bookend. A linear motion actuator, preferably a pneumatic cylinder, moves the retractable arm along the length of the elongated accumulation tray. During the stacking procedure, the pneumatic cylinder is deactivated (i.e. a dead cylinder), and the stacked articles push the retractable arm incrementally along the accumulation tray towards an unloading area.

Abstract: A conveyor construction includes a frame, a drive section stationarily mounted to the frame, and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The drive and tensioning sections each include a spindle, and a belt is engaged with the spindles. The frame defines an upper support surface disposed below the upper run of the belt, and mating engagement structure is provided on the belt and the upper support surface for preventing lateral movement of the belt relative to the upper support surface. The drive and tensioning sections include spaced side members, each of which defines an inwardly opening cavity for receiving a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the spindle. The bearing-receiving cavity faces the spindle, and each side member defines outer wall structure which engages and supports the belt outwardly of the spindle.

Abstract: A discharge stacking station for a sortation conveying system uses a reciprocating stacking member to stack orders of articles onto an accumulation tray for the station in an aligned series. Articles are provided in singular fashion from a core conveyor for the sortation conveying system onto the reciprocating stacking member via an inclined chute. The reciprocating stacking member preferably has a floor and a backstop wall which are mounted for reciprocating sliding motion along a small portion of the accumulation tray for the stacking station at a loading end of the tray. A stationary stop member is disposed above the floor of the reciprocating stacking member. When a photoelectric eye senses the passing of an article onto the reciprocating stacking member, a computer controlled actuator pulls the reciprocating stacking member towards the stationary stop member to a retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels to articles being moved in a single-file along a conveyor assembly by a primary conveyor belt. Articles such as video cassette containers or CD containers are conveyed in an upright singulated fashion along a conveyor assembly. Each individual article enters a labeling station where the article contacts a biasing assembly that includes a biasing belt. The biasing belt exerts a lateral force on the article to press the article into contact with a stationary guide assembly. The biasing belt is operated at substantially the same speed as the primary conveyor belt such that the article is held in contact with the stationary guide assembly as the article moves along the labeling station. A labeling unit applies a label to the article as the article is held in contact with the stationary guide assembly by the biasing belt.

Abstract: An inductor station for a sortation conveying system is able to accommodate an assortment of substantially rectangular items which in general each have unique dimensions. A worker loads the inductor station with a charge of items each standing upright on edge and side-by-side. The charges are loaded in sequence to a feeder tray, and a programmably controlled feeding assembly feeds the charges along the feeder tray to a loading mechanism. The loading mechanism loads the endmost item from a discharge end of the feeder tray onto a takeaway conveyor. The items are loaded on the takeaway standing upright and on edge. An indexing motion stripping conveyor is used to time the loading of the items onto the takeaway conveyor so that the items are conveyed to an appropriate pocket on the core conveyor for the sortation conveying system.

Abstract: A mechanism for reorienting an article moving along a conveyor assembly. Articles such as video cassette containers, compact disc containers, or audio cassettes, enter an article reorientation mechanism on their face surface. The face surface of each article is supported by a conveyor belt of a primary conveyor assembly. The primary conveyor assembly moves the article from an upstream location toward a downstream location. A guide assembly forces the article toward a lateral edge of the conveyor belt of the primary conveyor assembly. A transfer conveyor assembly extends upwardly at an angle from the lateral edge of the primary conveyor assembly to receive the article as it is pushed off the primary conveyor assembly by the guide assembly. A twist guide plate is positioned downstream from the transfer conveyor assembly for receiving the article from the transfer conveyor assembly and tipping the article upright onto its side surface.

Abstract: A conveyor construction includes a frame, a drive section stationarily mounted to the frame, and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The drive and tensioning sections each include a spindle, and a belt is engaged with the spindles. The frame defines an upper support surface disposed below the upper run of the belt, and mating engagement structure is provided on the belt and the upper support surface for preventing lateral movement of the belt relative to the upper support surface. The drive and tensioning sections include spaced side members, each of which defines an inwardly opening cavity for receiving a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the spindle. The bearing-receiving cavity faces the spindle, and each side member defines outer wall structure which engages and supports the belt outwardly of the spindle.

Abstract: A conveyor belt tensioning mechanism for use with a conveyor having a frame, a conveyor member in the form of a belt, and a pair of rollers, includes a pair of tensioning members mounted to opposite sides of the conveyor frame, with one of the rollers being mounted to the tensioning members. The tensioning members are slidable between extended and retracted positions by means of a pair of fasteners extending through a slot formed in each tensioning member and interengaged with the frame via a locking sleeve. The fasteners extend through a locking plate, such that tightening the fasteners frictionally engages the tensioning member between the frame and the locking plate. The belt is tensioned by loosening the locking fasteners and engaging a tensioning tool with the frame adjacent each tensioning member. The tensioning tools are pivoted into engagement with the tensioning members, and include a cam surface which forces the tensioning members outwardly to an extended position for tensioning the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising a first conveyor section and a second conveyor section which can be pivoted from a first position where it is in alignment with the first conveyor section to a second position where it is at an inclined angle with respect to the first conveyor section. A shaft pivotally connects the adjacent ends of the two conveyor sections together, and a spindle or pulley is journaled on the shaft and supports an endless belt in travel in a conveying run and a return run on the conveyor sections. A slide is mounted for sliding movement on each side rail of the first conveyor section and each slide carries a hold down roller which rides against the side edge of the upper working surface of the belt and hold the belt tangent to both the first and second conveyor sections. Each slide is also provided with a rack which is engaged with a gear that is fixed to the second conveyor section and is positioned concentrically of the pivot shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting articles on a conveyor system that includes a pair of parallel conveyors each having an endless conveyor member or belt. The belt of a first of the conveyors is tilted laterally to the horizontal, and the belt of the second conveyor is located at about 90.degree. with respect to the belt of the first conveyor, thus providing an elongated L-shaped pocket or channel within which articles are conveyed. The lower side edge of the second conveyor belt is spaced from the upper surface of the first conveyor belt to provide a passage therebetween, and a pusher member is mounted for sliding movement within the passage. When directed by a computerized system, the pusher member is actuated to move across the first conveyor belt to engage and eject an article laterally from the first conveyor belt to a collection site.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing articles from a stack onto a moving conveyor. The apparatus includes a supporting structure or frame that supports a stack of articles and the supporting structure is canted at an angle of about 15.degree. to 25.degree. from the vertical. The supporting structure is generally L-shaped in cross section, having a pair of walls located generally normal to each other, while the opposite sides of the supporting structure are open so that the articles can be loaded into the supporting structure through the open sides. The lowermost article in the stack is supported on an L-shaped base, so that only peripheral portions of adjacent side edges of the lowermost article are supported. A pusher plate is mounted for sliding movement relative to the supporting structure and acts to push the lowermost article from the stack and the dispensed article will then fall onto the moving conveyor below.

Abstract: An improved heat press for joining the spliced ends of a conveyor belt. The press includes an upper platen containing a flexible, inflatable bladder that is positioned to engage the upper surface of the spliced area of the belt. A lower platen supports the belt and includes an electric heating element that is supported on an aluminum block having a plurality of parallel internal flow channels. A layer of solid insulating material is disposed beneath the lower surface of the block, and along the side edges of the block. The upper platen is clamped to the lower platen and a compressed gas, such as air, is supplied to the bladder to inflate the bladder and urge the belt against the lower platen. Operation of the heating element serves to fuse the spliced ends of the belt. After heating, air is supplied to the channels in the block to cool the press and a venturi mechanism is associated with the air supply, so that a portion of the air being supplied to the press is drawn from the atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt is clamped against a cutting surface on the base of the apparatus by a pair of parallel clamping bars. A lever arm is pivoted to, and is axially slidable on, a shaft disposed parallel to the clamping bars and the lever arm carries a cutting head. A pair of blades are mounted in an acute angle relation on the cutting head, and as the lever arm is manually pivoted downwardly, the blades cut a pair of slits in the belt. The lever arm is then pivoted up and advanced axially along the shaft and the cutting action is repeated to thereby cut a plurality of V-shaped fingers in the belt, which can be interdigitated with fingers of a second belt end and subsequently bonded together to provide an endless spliced belt.

Abstract: A conveyor drive construction. The conveyor includes a frame and an endless belt conveyor is mounted for travel on the frame. A drive mechanism is operably connected to the lower run of the conveyor belt and includes a pair of side members, each composed of a pair of laminated sheet metal plates. The plates of each pair have aligned openings with the edges bordering the openings in the outer plate being offset from the edges bordering the openings in the inner plate to provide outwardly facing recesses. A plurality of belt carrying spindles extend between the side members and are engaged with the lower run of the belt. The shafts of the spindles are carried by support members, such as bearings, which are mounted in the offset recesses of the side members.

Abstract: An improved drive mechanism for a conveyor. An endless belt is mounted for travel on the frame of the conveyor and is driven by a drive unit. The drive unit includes a supporting structure or housing that carries a power source, such as a motor. The output shaft of the motor is connected by a flexible drive member to a pair of drive spindles that support the conveyor belt. The drive unit also includes a pair of belt tensioning spindles which are journaled for rotation on slides that are mounted for movement on the supporting structure of the drive unit. A drive mechanism, such as a fluid cylinder, is operably connected to the slides to move the slides in unison to tension the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor construction including a frame having a pair of side rails with each side rail having a longitudinal T-shaped slot. A plurality of cross members are connected between the side rails and support a bed plate. An endless belt rides on the bed plate and is trained over an adjustable spindle assembly which is located at an end of the conveyor. The spindle assembly includes a spindle journalled between a pair of side members that are mounted for sliding movement in the T-slots of the respective side rails. A ratchet and pinion mechanism interconnects the conveyor frame with the spindle assembly and acts to move the spindle assembly longitudinally of the frame to tension the belt. A belt tracking mechanism is associated with each side of the spindle assembly and includes a cam member which is engaged with the respective side member of the spindle assembly. Individual rotation of the cam members serve to properly track the belt on the bed plate.

Abstract: An improved articulated link construction used in a conveyor belt tracking mechanism. The conveyor includes a frame having a pair of spaced parallel side rails that support a bed plate and an endless conveyor belt is supported on the bed plate. A spindle assembly includes a pair of side members that are mounted for sliding movement with respect to the side rails and a spindle is journaled between the side members. A plate-like link extends transversely of the spindle assembly and the ends of the link are pivoted to the side members. Each pivotal connection includes a vertical bolt that extends through an opening in the respective side member and a bushing is threaded on the bolt and is received within an oversized opening in the link.

Abstract: A conveyor constructing having a pair of spaced parallel side rails that support a conveyor belt, each of the side rails is provided with a pair of vertically spaced, parallel, longitudinal slots. Each slot is generally T-shaped in cross section and has an open side facing laterally outward of the side rail. The open side of the lower slot is offset laterally outward from the open side of the upper slot of the side rail. End units are associated with each end of the conveyor and each end unit includes a pair of spaced side plates having a belt supporting spindle journalled between the side plates. Slide blocks are mounted in the ends of the slots in the side rail and the side plates are disposed outward of the respective side rails and are connected to the slide blocks. Slide blocks can also be mounted in the slots and serve to connect auxiliary equipment at selected positions to the conveyor.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a conveyor. The conveyor includes a frame and a drive spindle that carries a conveyor belt is journalled for rotation on the frame. The spindle has a longitudinal passage and a pair of bushings are disposed in spaced relation in the passage, with the adjacent ends of the bushings spaced apart. Each bushing has a non-circular or hexagonal-shaped opening and a similarly contoured end of a drive shaft is inserted into the opening of one of said bushings. The inner end of the drive shaft is provided with an axial recess and a plunger is located within the recess and is biased outwardly by a spring. A locking member is mounted in a radial hole in the wall of the inner end of the drive shaft and is engaged with a cam surface on the plunger.