Abstract: A first elongated hollow conveyor tube has one end in communication with the source of material to be conveyed and its other end in communication with the area to which the material is to be conveyed. A second hollow tube embraces a portion of the length of the first tube and has a larger diameter than the first tube so that an elongated annular compartment area is defined therebetween. The ends of the second tube are sealed to the exterior surface of the first tube. Air under pressure is supplied to the compartment area at approximately 15-30 PSI and 220-500 C.F.M. The first tube has a plurality of spaced-apart openings formed therein which are in communication with the compartment area. An air tube is mounted in each of the openings and has an intake end in communication with the compartment area and a discharge end in communication with the interior of the first tube.

Abstract: In a pallet-advancing machine where friction plates on a pair of spaced chains directly engage the bottom face of the pallets near the side edges leaving the central part of the underface of the pallets free. An escapement mechanism embodies a shaft which is mounted adjacent to one or more stations on the center line of the pallets for rotational movement. Stop lugs are mounted on the shaft in position to stop a pallet with one type of stop block at a work station and a pallet with another type of block at a waiting station. By rotating the shaft, the advancement of a pallet into the work station is accurately controlled at the time another pallet is stopped at the waiting station. Two pallets may be advanced at the same time to have one or both located at one or adjacent work stations, the positions for which are accurately controlled by the angular rotation of the shaft first in one direction then in the other direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable display vehicle which is useful for transporting, storing and displaying food, beverage and other displayable products. The vehicle comprises a base member having a rear edge and including a plurality of casters attached to the underside thereof for supporting the vehicle in an upright and stable condition. Sidewalls are attached in a vertical position to the sides of the base member. Between the sidewalls there is an L-shaped product support member comprising a back wall attached to a bottom shelf in such a way that the bottom shelf slopes downwardly toward the rear edge of the base member. The sidewalls and the product support member thereby form an open volume for containing the displayed products.

Abstract: Each end of a catenary carrier for an endless conveyor belt is supported by a quick release mechanism operable to drop the catenary rollers out of operation. The quick release mechanism includes a link which has an elongated slot wth an enlarged annular end portion. Supports at opposite ends of the catenary carrier carry a rotatable support pin for the link which has a head portion and a neck portion. The neck portion is annular except for two flats formed on radially opposite sides thereof. When the neck of the pin is disposed in the annular end portion of the slot, the link will be locked against movement relative to the pin in the direction toward the carrier if the flats are transverse to the slot. When the support pin is rotated 90.degree. to present the narrow width of the neck in alignment with the slot, the weight of the carrier will cause the link to move relative to the pin whereby the neck of the pin will be disposed in the opposite end of the slot from said annular portion.

Abstract: Shown is an apparatus for distributing particulate material onto a conveyor belt for a dryer comprising a feed-chute which is pivotally mounted above the belt so that the discharge end of the chute laterally traverses the conveyor belt surface. The drive to pivot the chute comprises an endless chain with an adjustable linkage between the chain and chute reciprocating the chute into successive traverses with a quick return at the end of each traverse.

Abstract: A multi-function shower head having an internal flow passage provided with an inlet end and an outlet end. A stationary cover plate is disposed at the outlet end of the passage, the cover plate being formed with an axially open and eccentric counterbore. A nozzle plate is rotatably mounted at the outlet end, outwardly of the cover plate, and in close proximity thereto. The nozzle plate is provided with a plurality of nozzle passages peripherally spaced apart and eccentrically disposed, such that each of the nozzle passages is adapted to selectively register with the eccentric counterbore. The shower head includes also a U-shaped baffle carried in the flow passage, and a coil spring extending in the counterbore passage, that serve to impart turbulence to water flowing through the counterbore and being discharged from the nozzle plate.

Abstract: Articles to be packaged are fed through a packaging machine on conveyor means and are arranged in groups which are controlled by suitable spacer elements movably mounted on an endless feed element and each including an article engaging pusher projection for imparting movement to a group of preceding articles together with an article engaging restraining projection movable into the path of movement of the articles so as to restrain the movement of the immediately succeeding group thereby to control and precisely to determine the position of the group of articles in order to insure cooperative and synchronous cooperation with other machine operations.

Abstract: A drive station or machine frame assembly for a scraper-chain conveyor has a convertible frame with side walls between which a drive drum for the associated scraper-chain assembly is mounted. The frame has first and second plates arranged one above the other and extending between the side walls. The uppermost plate is detachable whereas the lowermost plate is fixed. Both plates are inclined and can form part of an ascending conveying surface prolonged by using one or more channel structure with side walls and a floor plate aligned with the plate of the frame which is used. The uppermost plate is used with a larger-size drive drum and can be removed to expose the lowermost plate for use with a smaller-size drive drum. Known forms of tongue or guide plates and chain deflectors can be mounted to the frame.

Abstract: A cover for acoustically enclosing a conveyor is described. The cover includes a curved, dome-shaped or gabled top portion and two side walls which project downwardly from the top portion to a support structure for the conveyor. Also, the cover includes acoustically absorbent or dissipative material for attenuating noise internally generated within the cover. At least one of the side walls includes a pivotally mounted door which provides access to the conveyor. Since the cover is curved, dome-shaped or gabled and does not include any horizontal surfaces, an accumulation of moisture within the conveyor cover is prevented.

Abstract: A station for inclusion in roller systems which permits cartons to be packed adjacent a primary roller conveyor and introduced onto the conveyor central region when filled. The packing station includes a carton packing conveyor movable under power driven rollers actuated when the conveyor is translated toward the primary conveyor. Simultaneously with translation of the packing conveyor transfer conveyor means are elevated between the rollers of the primary conveyor receiving the carton from the packing conveyor assuring that the carton will be substantially centered on the primary conveyor whereupon the power operated transfer conveyor lowers the carton onto the primary conveyor.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for orienting and feeding articles, in particular closure caps having a panel, a skirt and an ear extending from the skirt wherein articles are deposited on an inclined, preferably conical, surface from which they slide down onto a slowly rotating table. Articles are urged by airflow to a peripheral gap which receives only correctly oriented articles and conveys them to a discharge station. Incorrectly oriented articles are returned by airflow to the inclined surface to be re-presented.

Abstract: An upper fitting of a shoulder belt which is arranged displaceable in height within a body hollow space; the outlet opening for the belt band out of the hollow space is covered off by a shield which in its turn is provided with an aperture for the belt band, whereby the position of the aperture is adapted to be matched to the height adjustment of the fitting.

Abstract: A gravity undriven roller conveyor is provided with speed control so as to maintain articles travelling thereon within a narrow speed range generally independent of the length of the conveyor, the starting speed of the article, and the load of the conveyor by providing an elastomeric tired wheel on a bracket beneath the cylindrical rolls of a conveyor so as to engage two adjacent cylindrical rolls and absorb kinetic energy through hysteresis properties of the material of the elastomeric tire on the wheel. Vertical adjustment is provided with a rigid screw mounting or a biased spring mounting, and flanges radially overlapping the tire are provided on the wheel so as to limit the compression of the tire through such vertical adjustment to within the elastic limit of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: In the packaging of dispensing spoons with bottles in containers, the spoons are oriented by means of protuberances on shank portions thereof extending normal to the shank in the same direction as the hollow side of the spoon bowl. The spoons are tilted longitudinally either while falling off the end of a conveyor or by a downwardly curved conveyor section. Properly oriented spoons are caught by a wire extending above the conveyor during the tilting to hang the spoons on the wire in a single orientation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic conveying trough for conveying molten metals with a trough body extending in the direction of conveyance and lined with a fireproof lining and an inductor for producing a travelling electromagnetic field and formed as a grooved laminated package, the transversely extending grooves defining teeth about which individual coil windings are wrapped. In order to replace the inductor below a molten metal breakthrough without removing all of the lining, the coolant pipes are formed coaxial with each winding as a unit with separate coolant connections to each such unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving rollers of a powered conveyor which includes a bracket pivoted at the upper end to the conveyor frame and having an adjusting screw at the lower end. A pressure roller carried by the bracket engages the belt and when adjusting screw is rotated to spring the bottom of the bracket away from the frame, the pressure roller is pushed upwardly to urge the belt against the conveyor roller.

Abstract: A method and system for extinguishing fires in large buildings containing a plurality of fire fighting sections wherein a fire occurring in any of the fire fighting sections is detected to signal a central control panel which produces a warning in that section indicating to occupants that they should quickly leave, the fire fighting section in which the fire occurred being shut tight by fire doors or the like a predetermined time after the warning is provided and after the occupants have escaped.

Abstract: A cover for material handling equipment including a lower and upper cover plate disposed in overlapping relationship and having means thereon adapted to engage a flange element on the material handling equipment so as to form a seal.

Abstract: A gun for tribo charging powder has a barrel body with a bore having an opening at one end. A venturi forming tube is contained in the barrel bore and a supply of powder enters the barrel through a bore of the venturi forming tube, which is in alignment with the bore of the barrel, creating an obstruction free passageway for the powder. A supply of pressurized propellant gas enters the barrel bore through an area between the outer venturi forming tube wall and the inner barrel wall and is the power source for charging the powder. Modifications for increasing the charge imparted to the powder include an insert in the venturi forming tube bore for forcing the powder to travel closer to the barrel wall upon exiting the venturi forming tube bore, and a system of holes through the venturi forming tube wall for imparting swirling motion to the powder in the venturi forming tube bore.

Abstract: A tilting tray apparatus for use in a sorting conveyor includes a tray carrier and a yieldable spring latch for yieldably holding the carrier in an article carrying position, a bank position, and a discharge position. The latch yieldably resists tray carrier tilting to provide tray control. A tip-up cam surface is provided integrally on the tray carrier for engagement by a tip-up device to tilt the tray carrier to discharge articles thereon.