Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing consolidated lines having a predetermined content of products of a plurality of product types, each line being produced in a sequence of alternating steps including the steps of conveying the line to be consolidated and of adding products to the line to be consolidated. A consolidating field includes consolidating stations interconnected by conveying paths and an outlet path connecting a consolidating station to an outlet. A control unit includes a consolidation data storage device for receiving and storing consolidation data regarding the consolidating field and regarding an allocation of product types to consolidating stations. Products of at least one product type are supplied to each consolidating station.

Abstract: A seamless paper media gate (10) for supporting moving sheets thereon while enabling the sheets to be directed in a range of angular directions, includes a plate member (12), a deflector member (48), and a spring (44). The plate member includes a first sheet supporting surface (14), and an end portion (16). The end portion includes a transition surface (18), which in cross section terminates at a transition edge (20). The deflector member is rotatably mounted on the plate member and includes a second sheet supporting surface (22). The deflector member includes in cross section a first finger portion (26) upon which the second surface is tapered to a point (28) which forms a lineal edge (27) that engages the transition surface. The deflector member also has a first rib (38) that engages a of a first slot (34). The rib includes a cam surface (43) that suitably engages a cam support surface of the slot to provide a fixed pivot point as the deflector member rotates.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for receiving a flow of packages such as parcels or bundles, dividing it into plural streams for easier singulation, singulating each such stream, and delivering the produced packages one at a time to a user, each stream being provided to a different user. Downstream sensors are used to control a deflector which in turn divides a received flow of packages into multiple such flows and apportions the received packages among the two output flows. Singulation of each such output flow is accomplished by a plurality of inclined belts which each moves a received package upward and over its peak to drop for entry into the next stage downstream, thereby singulating the received flow in stages. These belt stages are individually controlled by further downstream sensors and motors which prevent movement of upstream such belt(s) if one or more packages, indicating a flow blockage, is sensed downstream.

Abstract: A continuous motion stacking apparatus (10) is disclosed including a positive drive device (14) which places abutting products on a conveyor (12). When the leading series of products is detected to have reached a predetermined position by a sensor (94), the series of products are pushed from the conveyor (12) by a pusher plate (32) which has a first movement component equal to the conveying speed parallel to the conveyor (12) and a second movement component perpendicular to the conveyor (12). The series of products are pushed onto a shelf (30) simultaneously moving perpendicular to the conveyor (12) with the pusher plate (32). When the shelf (30) retracts, the products fall onto a vertically, movable platform (24) or products supported thereon. A guide (34) moves forward at the conveying speed parallel to the conveyor (12) to keep the remaining products on the conveyor (12) and to keep the last product of the series being pushed from the conveyor (12) parallel to the conveyor (12).

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a plurality of output rows from a single input row of articles has a conveyor advancing articles in a row parallel to the conveying direction; a deflecting device including an endless deflecting belt trained about two end rollers and having, when in a working position, an operative length portion forming an acute angle with the conveying direction. The deflecting member includes a first length portion provided with a bounding edge extending generally parallel to the conveyor surface and being at a clearance therefrom which is less than an expected minimum height of the articles positioned on the conveyor. The deflecting member further has a second length portion provided with a bounding edge extending generally parallel to the conveyor surface and being at a clearance therefrom which is greater than an expected maximum height of the articles positioned on the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyer with an automated sorting system comprises a transport mechanism, a guide mechanism, and a sorting mechanism. A sorting sensor activates electrical spiral tubes which, in turn, actuate left and the right separation pieces to guide pins of the transport mechanism along desired guide rails so as to alter their original moving paths. More particularly, the guide pins are capable of moving along three different directions: left, middle, and right. The article intended to be transported is thus sorted out automatically and is sent to the designated area.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic loading mechanism for electroplating and in particular to one utilizing an inspecting means to inspect the orientation of the workpiece from the vibration, a turning device to transmit the workpiece to an outlet, an elevating mechanism and a pushing mechansim to push the workpiece between two pins of the hook, whereby the products to be plated may be automatically loaded on the fly bar thus increasing the production rate and saving a lot of labor work.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for marshalling objects from one ingoing conveyor to two outgoing conveyors is disclosed. Counting gaps are created by a belt brake operating at a slower speed than the ingoing conveyor. The counting gaps are registered by a pair of photocells, and two gates are maneuvered by a control unit. The gate downstream of the ingoing conveyor is of the single type, and the gate downstream of both of the outgoing conveyors is of the double type. The gates are mechanically interconnected and rotate towards one another in order to marshall the objects onto one or the other of the outgoing conveyors.

Abstract: Method and installation for converting multi-track flow of containers into a single track flow, wherein an infeed conveyor is slanted relative to the horizontal plane, an intermediate conveyor is slanted at the same angle and so is a discharge conveyor. The intermediate conveyor is at least as wide as the infeed conveyor and abuts onto it. The discharge conveyor is arranged parallel and lateral to the intermediate conveyor. There is a cross-over plate between the infeed and intermediate conveyors. The advanced containers are first pushed onto the cross-over plate by the containers coming in on the infeed conveyor and they remain abreast of each other as they are then pushed onto the intermediate conveyor, whereby they are gradually accelerated to a speed which is lower than the speed of the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Article Distribution apparatus is disclosed having a main frame straddling a conveyor feeding a single row of articles to the inlet of a pair of timing screws. The timing screws are mounted for horizontal and vertical adjustment above the conveyor and are carried by a frame mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical axis at the infeed side of the apparatus. A linear drive mechanism controlled by a programmable controller controls movement of the moveable frame to direct articles in predetermined quantities and spacing to a predetermined number of discharge paths.

Abstract: A flowsplitting conveyor device for controlling a load imposed on a conveyor utilizes a load allocating device which is capable of dividing a incoming load between two receiving conveyors for the purpose of balancing the load between the two receiving conveyors or it can be used to allocate the entire load to either one of the receiving conveyors.

Abstract: A device for guiding flat articles being fed horizontally and changing the direction of movement from one direction to another wherein the change in direction may be as great as 90.degree.. This is accomplished by providing a housing with internal rollers capable of being rotated in one of two directions.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing veneer sheets comprises a pair of vertically-movable upper and lower relay conveyors for receiving veneer sheets from a veneer conveyor and supplying the sheets to different treating sections of different heights of a veneer treating system, such as a veneer drying system. When receiving the sheet from the veneer conveyor, each relay conveyor is horizontally aligned with the veneer conveyor. When supplying the sheet to the treating section, each relay conveyor is in a position adjacent to the section. Each relay conveyor may receive a veneer sheet while the other conveyor is supplying the sheet to the treating section.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus includes a first guide assembly defining a plurality of inlet lanes in which inlet columns of flat articles are forwarded in a direction of advance determined by the first guide assembly and a second guide assembly defining a plurality of outlet lanes in which outlet columns of the flat articles are advanced. The outlet lanes are different in number from that of the inlet lanes. A plurality of routing gates is arranged at a discharge end of the inlet lanes. Each routing gate is arranged to be pivoted into one of two end positions for redistributing the articles from the inlet lanes into the outlet lanes. There are further provided separate actuating units operatively connected to separate routing gates for independently operating each routing gate.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for inspecting cullet for the presence of unwanted materials among the pieces of glass. A light source such as a laser directs light onto the cullet. At least one array of at least two light detectors is positioned to detect reflected light from the cullet. The detectors differentiate between non-uniformly scattered light from the cullet and generally uniformly scattered light from the debris. Signalling means are provided to signal the differentiation thereby to indicate the presence of debris in the cullet under inspection. When cullet is present on a moving cullet belt, light from the light source is intermittently scanned over the cullet in a raster-type scan. A multi-faceted rotatable mirror may be employed intermittently to reflect light onto the cullet.

Abstract: A transfer arrangement for transferring articles on one conveyor belt to another conveyor belt comprises a plurality of transfer units disposed alongside the one conveyor belt in spaced relationship. Each transfer unit includes an air nozzle controlled by a solenoid valve arranged when operated to direct a jet or jets of air at an article on the one conveyor belt to cause displacement of the articles onto the other belt.

Abstract: The device has a rotary drum provided with a plurality of guide recesses, an outer cylindrical plate surrounding the rotary drum and a helical bar disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the drum and the plate. Containers are lowered and lifted along the bar while being moved up and down in the respective guide recesses.

Abstract: A principal or main conveyer cooperates with branch conveyers in that diverting wheels are provided for pivoting to the left or right as well as for lowering and raising, for obtaining selectivity of diverting.

Abstract: A feeding and processing apparatus has a plurality of intermediate conveyor members disposed between upstream and downstream conveyor means, the intermediate conveyor members being vertically spaced. The feeding and processing apparatus also includes a device for vertically moving the intermediate conveyor members and a device disposed in the vicinity of at least a portion of the intermediate conveyor members for processing objects thereon.

Abstract: A technique for moving and presenting an article to a work station is described. A plurality of articles, loaded onto a conveyor system, are moved so that a leading article is positioned at a pick-up and elevating station (46). A separating mechanism (44) is activated to lift (via 90, 91) from the conveyor system (42) all of the articles which trail the leading article, and to move them a predetermined distance behind and away from the elevating station (46). Next, the leading article is elevated above the plane of the conveyor system in order to facilitate its removal therefrom (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A conveyor system having a segmented lengthwise supply conveyor comprised of a plurality of dual transpositors, whereby product from the supply conveyor is redirected laterally to a plurality of cross-feed conveyors that, in turn, supply product to stacking and wrapping stations. Overlying each cross-feed conveyor is a primary transpositor drive end having a retractable nose roller and below which a secondary transpositor conveyor having a retractable nose roller is mounted for temporarily storing product before retracting and dropping the product onto the cross-feed conveyor, thereby facilitating a continuous through put of product to each of said wrapping stations. Photo electric transmitter/receiver and a programmable controller ensure system synchronization.

Abstract: A continuous scalloped stream of paper sheets is divided into a succession of discrete sections by an accelerating device in cooperation with one or more belt conveyors which receive the sections. The accelerating device has an elongated rubber pad attached to an endless chain conveyor which can move the pad into the path of movement of the stream of sheets toward the belt conveyor or conveyors. The belt conveyor(s) and the chain conveyor are accelerated from the speed of the advancing stream to a higher second speed as soon as the trailing end of the section which is about to be separated from the stream is engaged by the trailing end of the pad on the chain conveyor. The chain conveyor and the belt conveyor(s) are decelerated back to the speed of the stream as soon as the entire freshly formed section is transferred onto the belt conveyor(s) and before the fresh leader of the stream reaches the discharge end of the conveyor for the stream.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel automatic apparatus for the continuous treatment of wafer materials, e.g. of silicon semiconductor, with gas plasma provided with a plural number of the gas plasma reaction chambers, transfer devices for bringing the wafer materials into and out of each of the reaction chambers and automatic control mechanism for controlling the individual parts of the apparatus in linkage operation. The transfer devices are composed of a main transfer conveyor extending in parallel with the array of the reaction chambers and over whole length of the array, a plural number of branched transfer conveyors each connecting one of the reaction chambers with the main transfer conveyor, a mechanism for transferring the wafer between the main transfer conveyor and one of the branched transfer conveyor and a mechanism for bringing the wafer material from the branched transfer conveyor to the gas plasma reaction chamber or vice versa.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in an industrial operation wherein objects moving along a main path from an upstream to a downstream location are diverted to a second path for checking. The apparatus comprises an ejecting wheel for sorting objects which shall have been checked defective for some reason and preventing movement of those objects from returning to the main path.

Abstract: A system for transporting discrete articles such as paper roll products in a predetermined number of flow lines and consolidating the articles into a lesser number of flow lines.

Abstract: A device for causing holders transporting objects to release the objects so as to place them at predetermined positions. The holders comprise a rotatable shaft, and a driving arm and an object-gripping arm both connected to the rotatable shaft and are carried by an endless conveyor so that the holders pick up an object at a first station and release the object at a second station. As the holders are conveyed from the first to the second station, the object-gripping arm gripping an object is kept parallel with the running direction of the conveyor. At the second station the driving arms of the holders are selectively moved into engagement with a device to turn the object gripping arm from the parallel position to a position perpendicular to the running direction of the conveyor and the object is released.

Abstract: A modular conveyor guide comprising first and second end walls and a connecting top wall having first, second and third regions adapted to guide first, second and third conveyors.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting rod-like articles in the form of cigarettes or filter rod sections from one or more makers to a packing or other consuming machine has a pair of superimposed surge bins which receive articles from a first transporting unit when the output of the maker or makers exceeds the requirements of the consuming machine, and a second transporting unit which conveys articles from the surge bins to the consuming machine when the requirements of the consuming machine exceed the output of the maker or makers. A control system is provided to effect the filling of the upper surge bin prior to filling of the lower surge bin and to effect evacuation of the contents of the lower surge bin prior to evacuation of the contents of the upper surge bin. Each transporting unit has one or more pairs of endless belts and/or ducts which convey multi-layer streams of articles.

Abstract: A conveying system for bailed containers receives said containers after bail-application and with the bails supported in a substantially vertical manner advances the containers to and through a turning station. The container is first detected as to its presence on a conveyor belt and then by electric eye means a spot on the container is "read". If the spot is on the desired side no turning is performed but if the spot is detected on the opposite side the container is turned by raising a turning rail that engages the bottom rim of a container and causes the container to turn a half revolution. During turning the bail is maintained in an upright position by a magnet bar. The conveyors also may deliver bailed containers to a merge and stop unit having flow control means for delivering these containers in timed array to further processing, such as packaging.

Abstract: Apparatus which delivers rod-shaped articles, such as cigarettes or filter rod sections, from a producing machine to a consuming machine has a switching unit whose inlet receives articles from the producing machine, one outlet of which can feed articles to a first transporting unit for admission of articles into a surge bin cooperating with a second transporting unit for delivery of articles to one side of the magazine of the consuming machine, and another outlet of which can feed articles to a third transporting unit for direct delivery of articles to another side of the magazine of the consuming machine. The third transporting unit delivers articles to the magazine when the latter is not filled to capacity, and the first transporting unit delivers articles to the surge bin when the magazine is filled to capacity.

Abstract: Articles that pass an inspection station seriatim are removed from their subjacent conveyor or not, depending on the results of inspection, by an ejection device which is a pair of vertically superposed horizontal chains that carry between them upright holders on each of which is mounted a rod for vertical swinging movement from an upright inactive position, to a horizontal outwardly projecting active position. Depending on the results of inspection, one of these rods will be pushed down to the lowered or active position to come into registry with the article to be ejected. The endless chains converge toward the conveyor on which the inspected articles rest, so that the rods progressively push the defective articles from their subjacent belt onto a discharge belt, after which the rods are swung back up to their inactive raised position.

Abstract: A trimming saw arrangement comprises a root-cutting station, a trimming station, and a feed line for advancing timber, perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, through the stations and to a sorting station having a sorting conveyor. The stations include a plurality of cutting or trimming places arranged one after the other in the feed direction and a distribution flap and conveyor for distributing arriving timber to the respective places responsive to the amount of timber accumulated in a storage bin associated with each cutting or trimming place.

Abstract: An assembly in the nature of a plurality of associated conveyors for selectively transferring a supply of articles for example, bottles, from one station to another. A pair of coacting and spaced rollers are constructed and arranged in the assembly to transfer the articles one by one from one of the conveyors to another; the arrangement being such that each article is temporarily retained or detained between the rollers and out of contact with the first conveyor enroute to the second conveyor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the controlled accumulating and feeding of piles of magazines from an input conveyor to a trimmer infeed conveyor. A flow director receives magazine piles and directs them to one of three parallel conveyor lanes, each lane including a series of independently driven conveyor sections. The leading pile in each lane is fed by a gate to the trimmer infeed conveyor while a restrictor restrains the succeeding piles from advancing. The procedure is repeated for each succeeding pile on each lane. Each section of each conveyor lane is provided with detectors for detecting stalled magazine piles. When stalled piles are detected at the downstream end of a conveyor section the adjacent downstream conveyor section is shut down. The traffic on the three lanes is compared and the flow director is instructed to not feed piles to a lane having an excessive backup of piles as compared to its neighbors.

Abstract: A three-bale load is accumulated on the trailer as bales issue from the rear of the baler, whereupon the accumulated bales may be dumped all at the same location or singly as may be desired. Successive bales issuing from the baler arrive at a central platform from which they are alternately distributed to laterally disposed side platforms in an automated procedure. Once a side platform receives its bale, lockout mechanism prevents the transfer device from presenting the side platform with another bale until such time as the previous bale has been dumped. Once a bale has been dumped from a platform, the transfer device is automatically actuated, if indeed the next bale is ready to be transferred, for loading of the next bale onto the awaiting side platform.

Abstract: In a thick film screen printer having a chute that is alternately in a horizontal position for receiving a screened substrate at one location on it and inclined downward to slide the screened substrate onto a conveyor belt, a pair of elongated openings extend through the chute at the one location. The broad side edges of the openings are generally parallel to each other and the direction that substrates slide off the chute. These broad edges are also inclined with respect to the top surface of this chute so the openings generally face toward each other. A stream of air is passed through one and then the other of these openings to alternately move substrates over them toward opposite sides of the chute so that they slide onto different transverse locations on the belt.

Abstract: Shiftable L-shaped guide tracks are provided perpendicular of the direction of conveyance of the conveyor belt in an installation for introducing containers sequentially into several tracks disposed in parallel side-by-side fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and clearing a jam of articles at the entrance to an article lane divider is provided which includes a plurality of parallel guides defining lanes for articles and conveyor means operative to advance articles toward the entrance to the lanes and to move the articles in the lanes. Detecting means are also included for detecting a jam of articles at the entrance to the lanes along with means for moving at least one of the parallel guides transversely to the direction of travel of the articles in response to the detection of a jam of articles at the entrance to the lanes by the detecting means, thereby breaking up the jam and permitting the articles to proceed into the lane divider.

Abstract: In an installation for distributing food products such as sweets from a primary conveyor line to respective transverse conveyors leading to packaging machines. A secondary conveyor line having two successive bunching conveyors is arranged to receive intermittently rows of products from the primary conveyor line, through the operation of a deflecting device, and to bunch and align the products prior to transferring them in rows to the transverse conveyor, at a conveying speed which can be matched to the demand of the packaging machines, even though this may differ from the speed of the primary conveyor line.

Abstract: A dividing conveyor system is disclosed for directing articles such as milk bottles traveling along a stem conveyor to either a first or second branch conveyor. The divider conveyor system includes a diverter assembly disposed over the intersection point of the stem, first and second branch conveyors, and a diverter positioner for locating the diverter in an appropriate position to divert articles from the stem conveyor to either of the branch conveyors. A first branch sensor is located near the first branch conveyor and downstream of the conveyor intersection point, and a second sensor is correspondingly located near the second conveyor and downstream of the conveyor intersection point. Appropriate switching circuitry includes logic elements to divert articles from the stem conveyor to a branch conveyor at which the associated branch sensor has sensed the absence of articles on that branch conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system adapted to receive a random flow of discrete items from a plurality of sources at its infeed end and to discharge an evenly distributed flow of items to a multiplicity of stations at an output end. Provision is made for skipping one of the multiplicity of stations if it is not capable of accepting additional items. Provision is also made for avoiding interruptions of the flow of distributed items when the inflow of items from one of the plurality of sources is interrupted.

Abstract: An induction system for a sortation conveyor includes a single infeed conveyor adapted to supply two separate loading stations. In a preferred embodiment, the infeed conveyor is operatively connected with a reversible turn conveyor interposed between the infeed conveyor and the two separate loading stations, one loading station receiving articles from one end of the reversible turn conveyor and the other loading station receiving articles from the other end of the reversible turn conveyor. The reversible turn conveyor may be automatically or manually controlled to operate in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction as required to supply articles from the infeed conveyor to both loading stations.

Abstract: An article grader essentially comprising a feed belt for the articles, a device for simultaneously weighing a number of articles fed by the feed belt, a conveyor for conveying the weighed articles to a plurality of accumulation belts, each designed for receiving the articles of a specific class of weight, and arranged behind each accumulation belt a feed equalizer, a packing machine and a closing device. Besides there are provided means for controlling the feed rate in dependence of the quantity of articles present on each of the accumulation belts.

Abstract: Objects moving single file on an infeed conveyor are diverted onto an intermediate conveyor where they are separated, and then sequentially pushed onto a wider take away conveyor having lane defining means for receiving the objects in discrete lanes. A side push conveyor has an upper run which moves at a speed related closely to that of the intermediate conveyor, and has cam operated slats or pushers which cooperate to define pockets for urging the objects off the intermediate conveyor onto the take away conveyor and into the appropriate lanes.

Abstract: An object accumulator and feeder uses a relatively long path divided into a series of independently operable sections. The upper surface of the path is covered with a pile material having bristles with tips supporting the objects and inclined toward a direction of feed, and sections of the path are vibrated to vibrate the bristles against the objects to feed the objects through the sections. A sensor is arranged along the path in each section, and the sensors have one output when an object is present in the sensing region and another output when no object is present in the sensing region. Timers respond to the two-state outputs from the sensors and are in circuit with vibrators for switching vibrators on and off to accumulate the objects by successively filling up the sections from the output end toward the input end of the device, to feed the objects out on demand, and to shut off selected vibrators for intervals during which the vibrators are not needed for advancing the objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dividing a stream of articles into several streams. The operation is accomplished by moving articles along a horizontally swinging conveyor. The operation of the conveyor may be changed by changing a programming card. Thus the conveyor may be programmed to provide for a various number of rows of various widths.

Abstract: A sorting switch comprises a plurality of channel-shaped pallet support members mounted on drive chains for movement around a course including an upper article sorting portion and a lower return portion. The upper article sorting portion of the course includes parallel article conveying paths, and the pallet support members extend across both article conveying paths. A pallet is slidably supported on each pallet support member and has a switch engaging member depending therefrom. The pallets are arranged in sets, with alternate sets of pallets being normally aligned with opposite article conveying paths. Switching mechanisms are provided for selectively allowing each set of pallets to remain aligned with the article conveying path normal thereto or for diverting the pallets comprising the sets into alignment with the opposite article conveying path.