Abstract: The ice cube guide of the invention is in the nature of a chute (tubular or otherwise) having a cross-section to allow it to be held comfortably by hand either directly or with a handle, having top and bottom open ends, with the top end being cut at an angle to allow the chute to be removably inserted into a compartment of a freezer door ice dispensing mechanism in a manner such that the top end of the chute is situated directly below the opening from which ice cubes are dispensed, and with the lower end extending beyond and outside the outer edge of the bottom of the ice dispenser compartment, to permit ice cubes falling from the dispenser's opening to be directed into the opening of the chute, and from there through the chute to exit from the bottom of the hand-held chute outside the ice dispenser compartment.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus that combines articles after aligning same. The articles are input to the apparatus via hoppers, which can be selectively discharged to an alignment tray based upon the weight of the articles within the hoppers. A predetermined weight, or at least a weight within a margin of error of the predetermined weight, is discharged through a chute to an alignment tray. The chute narrows from an inlet position to an outlet position, and aligns the articles as they pass therethrough. Once in the alignment tray, the tray is shaken in an unsymmetrical manner so as to further align the articles. Once the alignment is complete, a gate beneath the tray opens and the aligned articles drop into a receptacle. The present invention is particularly useful in aligning elongate articles, such as bread sticks, and other food stuffs.

Abstract: A method and apparati for preparing and displaying a donut having a "fresh-baked" quality in a retail environment principally uses standard equipment available in a typical convenience store or quick-service restaurant. The method utilizes pre-frozen donuts manufactured at a centralized manufacturing facility and involves thawing, storing and heating the frozen donuts at the point-of-service. The donuts are thawed under refrigeration but in a generally humidity-constant environment. This on-site procedure allows a retailer to quickly and conveniently produce a moist, fresh-tasting donut with minimum equipment and effort. Furthermore, the present production method allows the retailer to control the number and type of donuts produced for sale, thereby substantially eliminating waste and allowing the retailer to immediately tailor donut production to local consumer demand. An improved applicator eases the glazing process to permit relatively inexperienced personnel to properly glaze the donuts.

Abstract: An assembly providing a removable tapered insert for a particulate material container. A plurality of annularly spaced flat brackets are supported on and project inwardly of the container. The insert has tapered upper edge projections and is rotatable for vertical engagement with projections formed on the inner edges of the brackets. A cylindrical support ring may be provided to rest on notches formed on the inner edges of the brackets, and when fully assembled the insert may rest on the support ring for full annular support by the ring. Locking washers may be provided to prevent disengagement of the projections on the insert and brackets.

Abstract: A chute liner for an impact surface in a chute of a conveyor bearing granular coal, aggregate, or other granular material which is within a given granule size range. The chute has at least one impact surface against which the granular material impacts when the material is input to or discharged from the conveyor; usually, there are plural impact surfaces in the chute. The chute liner includes a base plate of molded elastomer conforming to and mounted on the impact surface of the chute. A multiplicity of elastomer knobs are molded integrally with the base plate and project toward the interior of the chute when the liner is mounted on the chute impact surface. The knobs are of truncated conical configuration and are effectively spaced from each other by distances greater than the size of the smaller granules of the granular material, so that granular material accumulates between the knobs to afford a renewable wear surface within the chute.

Abstract: A glass gob delivery system for conveying gobs of molten glass from an oscillating gob delivery chute to a blank mold of a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type. The delivery system comprises an elongate trough that extends downwardly from an inlet to an outlet and a deflector with an inlet near the outlet from the trough and an outlet near the blank mold. The trough has a cross-section in the form of an upwardly facing U whose opposed legs extend parallel or substantially parallel to one another, the spacing between the opposed legs tapering gradually from a greater spacing at the inlet to a lesser spacing at the outlet.

Abstract: A combinational weighing machine has not only a plurality of weighing devices for weighing articles and outputting signals indicative of their weight values and a control system for calculating combinations of the weight values, selecting a combination of weighing devices according to a given criterion and causing articles to be discharged from the selected combination of weighing devices, but also a discharge chute for receiving the discharged articles and leading them to a discharge opening and a guide member disposed inside the discharge chute with a sloped outer surface serving to deflect the articles colliding therewith into a vertically downward direction.

Abstract: A flat type IC conveyor capable of conveying flat type ICs while stabilizing the posture of the ICs. A plurality of recess portions accommodating therein flat type ICs are formed lengthwise and widthwise on a flat type IC conveyor. Through holes are respectively defined in the bottom surfaces of the recess portions in a manner of avoiding leads of the ICs. Positioning pins are provided upright on the IC conveyor. A cover includes a plurality of convex portions which are positioned corresponding to the recess portions and direct to project toward package portions of the ICs to be accommodated in the recess portions. The cover also includes holes into which the positioning pins are inserted. When the cover is mounted on the conveyor, the convex portions can prevent the inclination of the ICs in the recess portions.

Abstract: A waste container throw-in system of a building, comprises a container holder for holding a waste container therein, a handcart for carrying the container holder thereon, a vertical conveyor tube vertically provided in the building, a waste throw-in apparatus including a frame structure and miscellaneous actuators, an inserting tube inserted in the vertical conveyor tube and a central control system for controlling the waste throw-in apparatus. When a collector carries the handcart to the waste throw-in apparatus and couples therewith, the container holder is lifted up from the handcart and moved in the horizontal direction toward the vertical conveyor tube with the help of the actuators. Then, the inserting tube is removed from the vertical conveyor tube and instead thereof the container holder is inserted in the vertical conveyor tube, whereby the waste container is thrown into the vertical conveyor tube.

Abstract: A system to separate and store trash which has been segregated into various categories for use in a multi-floor building. The system has a vertical waste chute with at least one access door to the chute located at each floor of the building. The chute has an upper and lower portion and two paths therethrough. The first path permits vertical disposal of the trash and the second path is angled to the first to permit designated trash to follow a different pathway for disposal. The system further includes a diverter located adjacent the lower portion of the chute for diverting the path of the trash placed into the chute from a first location containing a plurality of trash receptacles located on a platform to a second location having at least one trash receptacle, such as a trash compactor. The system also includes a receptacle mover to move a selected trash receptacle beneath the chute to receive a particular category of trash deposited into the chute.

Abstract: Conventional machines with hoppers have such defects that the extruding operation is interrupted when the cleaning of the hopper is carried out and accordingly the working efficiency is reduced. In the present invention, a detachable hopper consisting of one or more thin membrane hoppers in the shape of a hopper is provided detachably along the inside of a hopper for machines with hoppers, and a membrane hopper located at the most inner side of the detachable hopper is used as an inside hopper from which materials are fed, and is removed when the cleaning of the hopper is needed to form a removed hopper. According to the present invention, machines with hoppers of high working efficiency, from which the above defects are obviated, can be obtained.

Abstract: An installation for accepting, sorting and storing recyclable materials, and providing a convenient method for third party collection. The device is comprised of a depository opening into which the waste materials are entered, a chute along which the materials travel, a series of inclined gate mechanisms which facilitate the segregation of the materials, and a divided storage area featuring a number of bins into which the segregated materials are deposited and stored. The depository is located preferably inside a building in an accessible common area. It is connected to a chute which descends through an exterior wall to connect to the storage area outside. The storage area is divided into a number of bins. The storage area can be configured to meet the requirements of the consumer, that is the number and arrangement of bins is variable. Each bin is accessible through a door on its exterior.

Abstract: An improved staged ramp discharge system for vending machine includes a staged ramp discharge system including an upper chute in an upper chamber which leads to a lower chute in a lower chamber. An upper wall of the lower chamber defines the transition from the upper chamber to the lower chamber with this upper wall being solid and impervious. The upper chamber has a first lower wall separating the upper chamber from the lower chamber with the first lower wall having a lower surface slightly spaced above the surface of the upper chute to provide a horizontal slot through which articles which are being dispensed may slide. The lower chamber has a second lower wall also having a lower surface slightly spaced above the surface of the lower chute to provide a horizontal slot which is sized to permit an article which is being dispensed to slide therethrough. This configuration is designed to preclude tampering.

Abstract: An adjustable can conveyor comprises a fixed trackwork assembly and a moveable trackwork assembly. The fixed trackwork assembly includes at least two outer collars, a can guide track and two guide rails. The moveable trackwork assembly includes at least two inner collars, a can guide track and two guide rails. An interlocking mechanism is used to secure the two trackwork assemblies together such that a track able to convey can bodies is created. The locking mechanism is adjustable such that the conveyor may be set up to move cans of varying length. Because of the interlocking mechanism used, the moveable trackwork assembly is completely supported by the fixed trackwork assembly during adjustments. Further, the four guide rails associated with both trackwork assemblies may be rotated in such a manner that allows for adjusting the conveyor for cans of varying diameter.

Abstract: A method for positioning an electrical component for pick-up by a pick-and-place device which includes removing the electrical component directly from a storage tube through a window formed in the storage tube. The electrical components slide in the storage tube to a desired removal position which is adjacent the window, and are removed through the window using a pick-up tool. A modified storage tube formed with the window is also disclosed, along with a connecting hole with which the storage tube is connected to a fixture. The fixture includes a pin which fits into the connecting hole.

Abstract: In a ball conveying gutter system, a gutter (21), (26) for carrying pachinko balls in order to supply them to the individual pachinko machines and for storing the pachinko balls is supported by successive gutter supports mounted respectively between successive pairs of confronting posts. Each gutter support has at opposite ends a pair of hooks, and the confronting posts of each pair have a pair of holes for detachably catching the opposite hooks respectively.

Abstract: Both side walls of a channel groove for guiding integrated circuits with J-shaped leads are formed at an angle greater than 90 degrees to the bottom of the channel groove.

Abstract: An infeed chute for a debarking drum is provided which is adapted to accommodate infeed from two log cranes simultaneously or nearly simultaneously. The chute has a central feed plate of relatively small width and trough plates of relatively great width and at a gentle slope, thereby to provide a smoothly and slightly inclined trough. Furthermore, wing plates are provided which not only define containing side walls but continue and extend the trough width to receive a plurality of log loads and yet smoothly guide the same towards a common inlet. Desirably, to accommodate the gentle slope and increased width of the chute assembly, three transition plates are provided adjacent the debarker inlet to round out the flow thereinto.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of conduits extending from a kitchen area to bins in a level beneath the kitchen. In one embodiment, the upper ends of the conduits are concealed behind a vertical panel hinged at the lower edge to an "island" cabinet and forming a surface of the cabinet. The upper ends of the conduits are accessed by rotating the panel outwardly from the cabinet to expose the ends.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a warehouse system in which containers are stored on a gravity chute system inclined at an angle with the horizontal sufficient to overcome the kinetic coefficient of friction between the chute and a container placed thereon and may overcome the static coefficient of friction between the chute and a container placed thereon. The warehouse system includes a receiving system, a storage system, a shipping system, and an inventory system.

Abstract: A stock separating apparatus which separates stocks that drop successively from a stock feed source through a chute and feeds them one by one to a working machine, for example, a forging press, the apparatus being capable of coping with a change in the size of stocks with ease and within a short time. The stock separating apparatus has an attachment (11) that is provided at the lower end of a chute (3), the attachment being replaceable in accordance with the size of stocks (2). A circularly curved lower chute (6) is provided at the lower end of the chute (3). The attachment (11) is detachably attached to an attachment holder (10) which is horizontally pivotably provided on a support member (12) that is secured to the apparatus body (1) through a bracket (4).

Abstract: A discharge chute is arranged for pivotally mounting an abutment plate at a distal end of the chute to prevent further spillage and flow of concrete through the chute. The abutment plate may be hingedly mounted about a first end thereof or pivotally mounted about a plurality of spaced rods that are mounted to top edges of the chute.

Abstract: An improved discharge chute assembly for use with a concrete mixing truck includes improved chute components which are fabricated from a fiberglass reinforced polyurethane structural frame possessing necessary flexural and impact properties and a polyurethane liner possessing necessary wear resistance and hardness. The polymeric materials tends to remain smooth during wear and permit chutes according to the invention to be manufactured much lighter than those heretofore known.

Abstract: A funnel-adapter that allows one to fill up a large pitcher or jug directly from the ice or water dispensing unit of a conventional water/ice dispenser unit of a refrigerator. The funnel-adapter has a main, curved-shaped, hollow main frame that is opened at its top and at its bottom. The curvature of the adapter is such that the horizontal lower open end is offset from the horizontal, upper open end, so that when the upper open end is inserted into a water/ice dispenser of a refrigerator and pushed against one of the actuator switches for causing the dispensing of ice or water, the lower open end will be horizontally spaced outwardly of the air space of the water/ice dispenser, so that a large pitcher or container, to be filled with water or ice, may be located directly under the lower open end for funneling the dispensed water or ice into the interior volume of the pitcher or container.

Abstract: An offset assembly (20) for a gravity-conveyor chute (10) includes offset upstream and downstream tubes (18 and 22) which are hingedly attached one to the other, with an upstream end opening (66) of the offset downstream tube being significantly larger than outer dimensions of a downstream end (44) of the offset upstream tube. The offset upstream and downstream tubes are rectangular in cross section with each including hinge mounts which extend laterally, outwardly, from outside surfaces of panels thereof. The downstream end of the offset upstream tube terminates in a plane which forms an angle with an axis of elongation of the offset upstream tube. The offset upstream tube has a side opening with a ledge and a door thereat.

Abstract: A refuse chute for mounting on the inside of a sink cabinet door includes a backboard, inner and outer sidewalls extending forward of the backboard, an inclined ramp extending downward from the backboard between the inner and outer sidewalls; and a stop to limit the swing of the door and chute relative to the receptacle. The chute is in operative position relative to the receptacle when the door is partially open, and refuse dropped on the ramp is guided into the receptacle. An upstanding central vane on the ramp helps to make even distribution in the receptacle.

Abstract: An aggregate particle shield for use as a wearliner or the like, in aggregate material transport devices such as line vibrating feeders, discharge chutes, or the like having a multiplicity of ceramic plugs upstanding in a polyurethane bed and arranged in a predetermined pattern. The ceramic plugs are interconnected, with every plug in each row of the predetermined pattern linked by a connecting wire, and present their upper surfaces for impact with the aggregate particles. The impact plugs may be formed in various shapes to resist becoming dislodged from the polyurethane bed.

Abstract: An improved discharge chute assembly for use with a concrete mixing truck includes improved chute components which are fabricated from a high strength, lightweight polymeric material. The polymeric material tends to remain smooth during wear, and permits chutes according to the invention to be manufactured much lighter than those heretofore known. According to a second aspect of the invention, an improved connecting joint structure is provided which is simple to connect and disconnect, and will not become jammed with wet concrete. Both the chute components and joint structure are constructed with smooth outer surfaces to avoid catching on clothing or other fabric. The combination of lightweight chute components and the improved joint structure yields a discharge chute assembly which is safer and more efficient to deploy at a construction site.

Abstract: A guide for a stack of disk-shaped elements, especially sheet metal can lids has an extruded bar formed unitarily with a hollow longitudinal guide segment having a cylindrical inner guide surface enclosing a channel in which the stack is guided and a hollow longitudinal supporting and connecting segment of box-shaped cross section connected to the guide segment and extending along the guide segment to support the guide segment.

Abstract: A system for channeling drainage fluid from a point located upstream to a point downstream comprises a series of conduit elements linked together and partially fitted in one another. This system is remarkable in that the series of conduit elements is assembled so that the linked conduit elements can articulate with one another and each conduit element is suspended from the previous conduit element of the series with upper end of the first conduit element being suspended from a point of anchorage located upstream. The conduit elements articulate with one another in pairs by means of a disconnectable hook arrangement, such as performed protuberances, which acts as a hinge. The above system for channeling running water prevents the degradation of slopes served by such systems.

Abstract: A device for singularizing bulk material includes an elongated trough having a longitudinal axis and a discharge end. The trough has an arcuate cross section and is inclined so as to slope downwards towards its discharge end. The upper end of the trough is connected to a motor which is capable of rotating the trough back-and-forth on its longitudinal axis. In operation, the trough is rotated back-and-forth and the bulk material is introduced into the trough at the upper end thereof. Due to the inclination and back-and-forth movement of the trough, the particles of the bulk material travel towards the discharge end of the trough along zigzag paths thereby allowing the trough to be shortened. The back-and-forth movement of the trough also causes the particles to bump into one another and push each other aside during the course of travel so that effective singularization is achieved.

Abstract: Refuse collecting and conveying apparatus for recycling various types of trash is provided which will separate and collect specific varieties of trash in exterior trash cans to be conveyed to a recycling plant.

Abstract: An elementary length of the ducting comprises a pair of top and bottom plane panels (2, 3) and a pair of side panels (4, 5) having outwardly projecting longitudinal rims (8, 9, 12, 13) on their outside faces, the margins (10, 11, 14, 15) of the top and bottom panels (2, 3) and the rims (8, 9, 12, 13) of the side panels (4, 5) are predrilled to receive fixing bolts (6). A detection panel (47) is disposed as an inside lining of the bottom panel (3) and is connected via its own rims (48, 49) to the side panels (4, 5), and a tunnel (52) is left between the bottom panel (3) and the detection panel (47), with said tunnel opening out into the ducting, close to a bend.

Abstract: A device for loading bulk products of the type comprising a sleeve adapted to guide bulk materials from an upper hopper towards a lower container, formed by a supple wall provided with reinforcing hoops. The sleeve is retractable by mechanical action. The device has an inner protecting liner disposed at one end, upper or lower, of the sleeve. The liner is concentric, and inside the sleeve, and of diameter corresponding substantially to a small clearance to the inner diameter of the portions folded in accordion manner between two reinforcing hoops. The liner is thus adapted to receive against its outer wall the folded part of the sleeve, placed in an inactive position, resulting in the active part of the sleeve conveying the bulk materials always remaining in a stretched position.

Abstract: A seed meter for metering individual seeds at a controlled rate into a furrow in the ground over which the seed meter is traveling releases the individual seeds into a hollow, elongated seed tube. The seed tube is curved along the length thereof in a direction opposite the direction of travel of the seed meter over the ground to release the seeds with a horizontal velocity generally equal and compensate for the motion of the seed opposite that of the seed meter. This enables each seed to reach the ground with little or no velocity component in the horizontal direction, thereby minimizing lateral seed bounce on the ground. Seed bounce within the seed tube is controlled and minimized by the tube curvature which gradually increases in a downward direction along the length of the seed tube. The inner front wall of the tube has logarithmic curvature from a generally vertical upper end thereof along an upper portion of the tube and exponential curvature along a lower portion of the tube.

Abstract: An optical inspection machine has a discharge chute provided for receiving fragile articles thrown from a high speed belt in the course of ejecting such articles. The chute has an "S"-shaped bottom with the top of the "S" under the trajectory of the ejected articles, the mid portion of the "S" positioned to receive the falling articles at a minimum impact angle, and the bottom of the "S" discharging the sliding articles after being significantly decelerated due to the variable slope of the "S"-shaped chute bottom. The inspection machine has another "S"-shaped chute for receiving articles from an infeed conveyor and transferring them to the high speed belt while minimizing deceleration.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus has chutes for distributing articles selected and discharged by combinatorial weighing operation to prescribed discharge positions. At least one means is coupled to the chutes for distributing articles discharged from weighing hoppers in a plurality of directions. A plurality of timing hoppers are provided which are capable of temporarily storing the articles distributed by the distributing means. Article receiving means is disposed for receiving the articles which have passed through paths selected by control means. The timing hoppers may temporarily store the articles to reduce the speed at which the articles pass.

Abstract: Particulate bone is more easily and quickly guided into position for impaction into the site of a fusion mass by using a surgical funnel provided by an elongated, thin, flat base and a pair of thin, upstanding walls which extend along the elongated edges of the base to provide a chute. While the outlet of the funnel rests against the recipient site, particulate bond is incrementally pushed from the chute and tamped to build a fushion mass. By doing so, the particulate bone is much less likely to become contaminated by soft tissues. Preferably the reservoir provided by the upstanding walls is large enough to hold sufficient particulate bond to complete one side of a usual fusion mass so that the funnel can be left in position during that part of the surgical procedure. The funnel can be a single piece of metal or plastic.

Abstract: A gutter structure has a trough-like gutter substrate positioned adjacent the bowling lane. A sheet of high density polyethylene material is applied to the upwardly exposed surface of the substrate so as to provide a highly durable finish to the gutter that is not harmed by lane cleaning agents. One edge of the high density polyethylene sheet may be stapled in a countersunk fashion to secure the liner to the substrate. The other edge may be tucked under the lane divider cap. The liner may be glued to the substrate at either end to avoid tearing away of the liner from the substrate.

Abstract: An improved product filler collar is provided including an upper funnel portion for receiving charges of product from separate sources, guide ribs on the funnel portion for directing and controlling product flow and a neck portion for forming a single stream of product for filling a package or the like. The guide ribs may take the form of raised flanges forming a wall to confine relatively large product pieces. The flanges terminate in reduced extensions in the neck portion angled slightly back toward the product flow. The filler collar eliminates the bridging and swirling of product to prevent jams and decrease the residence time of the changes within the collar, thus improving the overall efficiency of the packaging operation.

Abstract: An electrical connector pick-up station for use, for example, with a pick and place robot having a pick-up head for picking up electrical connectors and for placing them on a circuit board, comprises a base, upon which is mounted for tilting movement about a horizontal axis, a support frame for a magazine containing a supply of electrical connectors. A support surface for the magazine is provided nearest one end of the upper side of the frame and a connector locating comb is provided at the opposite end of the frame. Between the magazine support surface and the comb are ribs for guiding connectors from the magazine towards the comb. The ribs are spaced from the comb and the connectors are arranged to be guided between the ribs and the comb by guide slots in which terminal tails depending from the connectors engage.

Abstract: A chute for an optical selector has a corrugated bottom surface in order to insure that particulate articles to be selected flow linearly and are dispersed uniformly across the width. The corrugations along the bottom surface of the chute are gentle having a small ratio of height to pitch of corrugation, and such corrugations provide shallow valleys which extend linearly from the upper infeed end of the chute to the lower discharge end. When the particulate articles to be selected flow down the chute, they accordingly flow in a linear way rather than following a curved path, but if the flowing quantity becomes so great as to normally cause a vertical piling up at the discharge end, the particulate articles will move sideways rather than piling up.

Abstract: An automatic combinatorial weighing apparatus includes a double collection chute assembly disposed in delivery paths for passage of articles to be weighed. The double collection chute assembly includes an inner collection chute having an outlet and a pair of outer collection chutes having respective outlets, the outlets being connected to timing hoppers, respectively. Articles flow down the inner and outer collection chutes at as equal speeds and in as equal times as possible, the speeds being increased as much as possible, due to valleys created by flat plates which form the chutes. To prevent an increase in noise produced by hitting engagement of the articles with the chutes as the articles flow down the chutes at high speeds, a vibration damper having a vibration-restriction damping capability is disposed in an area of the delivery paths for damping the vibration to suppress the noise.

Abstract: A paper selecting apparatus includes an upstream side transportation passage having an inclined bottom surface(s) held in the inclined state in the transverse direction, a lower stage transportation passage extending in continuation from the downstream end of the upstream side transportation passage, an upper stage transportation passage disposed above the lower one with a predetermined distance kept therebetween and a guide wall disposed between the upstream side transportation passage and the upper stage transportation passage for determining the direction of further movement of paper which has been displaced from the upstream side transportation passage to selectively bring it to either of both the upper and lower stage transportation passages in conformance with the width of paper to be selected.

Abstract: A shear system for processing scrap is provided that includes guiding and catching walls for enhancing the loading of large items into the shear system. A tiltable hopper is provided with an open rear so that very large and long scrap items may be processed. The hopper is tiltable so that scrap items may be loaded with relatively smaller apparatus. The system operates to precrush the scrap material taking advantage of leverage yielded by using pivoting wing and flap crushing surfaces. Crushing forces are essentially relieved prior to shearing to decrease the likelihood of jamming of the shear head. The system is modular and may be shipped to and erected in remote locations where electric power for operating the system is not available. The system includes an enclosed and protected area for the power plant and control station.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a uniform fiber column in a chute feed (A) which includes an entrance opening (34) in a reserve section (30) of the chute at which an inclined air deflection vane (42) is pivoted for deflecting the incoming fiber-laden airflow downwardly in nonturbulent, uniform flow paths. A fiber column (F) with a level top surface (43) is provided along the entire length (L) of the reserve chute (40). An adjustable width throat (B) in the reserve chute compacts and shapes the fibers into a fiber column having a desired form avoiding fiber drag down the chute walls. The adjustable throat includes a pair of longitudinal movable wall elements (66, 68). The wall elements may be adjusted and fixed in position to provide a throat cross-section having a desired width (W) or shape depending on the type fiber being fed.

Abstract: First and second compound chutes constituting a collecting chute assembly each comprises an outer chute of inverted, bisected frusto-conical shape having a semicircular upper opening and a semicircular lower opening, and an inner chute of inverted, bisected conical shape disposed within the outer chute via a partitioning plate. The overall chute assembly is of inverted frusto-conical shape and is constructed by uniting the compound chutes by bringing their respective partitioning plates into face-to-face contact, the assembly defining two discharge routes. At the lower ends of the chutes, one discharge route communicates the inner chute of the first compound chute with the outer chute of the second compound chute, and the other communicates the inner chute of the second compound chute with the outer chute of the first compound chute.

Abstract: The discharge spout of a grain elevator is provided with an abrasion resistant liner formed of polyurethane. The liner is formed into cylindrical configuration from a rectangular blade of material and may be readily inserted into the discharge spout and rotated relative thereto to permit even wearing of the liner. The abrasion resistant liner may be readily removed from the discharge spout and replaced with another liner to thereby eliminate any wear to the inner surface of the discharge spout.

Abstract: A chute for use with an electromagnetically vibratable parts feeder has an inlet end attached to a bowl tangentially thereto and an outlet end remote from the inlet end. A leaf spring assembly is disposed below the chute and attached thereto adjacent to the outlet end. The leaf spring assembly is inclined at an angle to the chute, and comprises a pair of parallel spaced leaf springs or a sole leaf spring. Each of the leaf springs has an upper end coupled to the chute and a lower end adapted for attachment to a stationary base such as a machine base. The upper end is located more closely than the lower end to the outlet end of the chute. When the bowl is electromagnetically vibrated in circular back-and-forth movements, the chute is reciprocably moved back and forth to cause parts to move forward therealong due to inertia.

Abstract: An article dispensing mechanism for a vending machine includes at least one serpentine track comprised of a pair of facing cusp-shaped vertical panels. These panels are supported on a pair of facing side plates. Each panel has a plurality of projections which extend horizontally from opposite side surfaces of the panel and extend into rectangular-shaped holes formed in both side plates. Each vertical panel is securely fixed on both plates by twisting the outer terminal portion of the projections which extend outwardly from the rectangular-shaped holes.