Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for connecting a battery plate to a metal strap or post or to moulds therefore. In contrast to existing arrangements lead is fed to the feed passage (17) via an opening (20) which is positioned immediate the ends of the aligned cavities in the set (14) of the mould. This arrangement enables the cavities to be fed with lead at approximately the same time and hence the dip of the lugs into the cavities can be optimised without any significant difficulties. In itself this substantially increases productivity. It has also been found that up to three batteries can be cast simultaneously, particularly if bypasses (16c) are used for fine tuning the lead supply.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for connecting a battery plate to a metal strap or post or to moulds therefor. In contrast to existing arrangements lead is fed to the feed passage 17 via an opening 20 which is positioned immediate the ends of the aligned cavities in the set 14 of the mould. This arrangement enables the cavities to be fed with lead at approximately the same time and hence the dip of the lugs into the cavities can be optimised without any significant difficulties. In itself this substantially increases productivity. It has also been found that up to three batteries can be cast simultaneously, particularly if bypasses 16c are used for fine tuning the lead supply.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for connecting a battery plate to a metal strap or post or to moulds therefor. In contrast to existing arrangements lead is fed to the feed passage (17) via an opening (20) which is positioned immediate the ends of the aligned cavities in the set (14) of the mould. This arrangement enables the cavities to be fed with lead at approximately the same time and hence the dip of the lugs into the cavities can be optimised without any significant difficulties. In itself this substantially increases productivity. It has also been found that up to three batteries can be cast simultaneously, particularly if bypasses (16c) are used for fine tuning the lead supply.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming groups of stacked battery plates is generally indicated at 10 and includes input stations 11, 11?, respective envelopers 12, further input conveyors 13, 13? for inputting plates onto respective conveyor 15, 15? downstream of the envelopers. Transfer conveyors 22, 22? are disposed at respective ends of the main conveyor 15, 15? to feed an intermittently driven pocket conveyor 16, 16 via interrupt conveyors 23, 23?. The interrupt conveyors 23 include respective releaseable stops 32, which enable stacks to be formed on the interrupt conveyors 23, 23? and for them to be released at the appropriate moment to be fed into a respective pocket on the pocket conveyor 16, 16?.

Abstract: An enveloper (10) for creating a material envelope around a battery plate, including an anvil (29) and a rotatable cut-and-crease roller (28) having a knife (35) and a generally diametrically opposed crease blade (36) for acting against the anvil (29) to cut-and-crease material fed through the enveloper (10) wherein the enveloper (10) further includes a control (57) for varying the rotational velocity of the roller (28) during a rotational cycle to position the crease to form a symmetrical envelope around a plate passing through the enveloper (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for forming a terminal on a battery. Terminal forming apparatus (11) has a mould (12) with a cavity (26) which is intended to encircle the post and bush assembly (22, 25) of a battery box (10). The mould cavity (26) is formed with an open upper mouth (27) and a lateral inlet/outlet (28) which connects with the feed channel (13). Inlet (28) is defined by a weir (29) which acts as a constant height device to define the final filling height of the mould cavity (26). This arrangement allows over filling of the mould above the height of the weir (29) and subsequent dropping of that level to the height of the weir (29). This enables the terminal to be formed at precisely the correct height without the need for any metering of the lead.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing information to interested users according to predefined preferences over the Internet. The invention provides improved techniques for reaching potential recipients, for simplifying the initial response by interested individuals, and for facilitating the gathering and organizing of information from those individuals.