Abstract: A grain cart includes a lower auger conveyor section and an upper auger conveyor section pivotally movable relative to the lower auger conveyor section between a first position and a second position. The lower auger conveyor section further includes an auger feed gate movable between a closed position and an open position. The grain cart further includes a movement actuator adapted to move the upper auger conveyor section between the first position and the second position. The grain also includes a control system including an auger feed gate position sensor operatively coupled to the movement actuator and functioning to control the movement actuator based on input from the auger feed gate position sensor to provide a lock out function preventing the movement actuator from moving the upper auger conveyor section towards the first position only when the auger feed gate is in the open position.

Abstract: A grain cart includes a lower auger conveyor section and an upper auger conveyor section pivotally movable relative to the lower auger conveyor section between a first position and a second position. The lower auger conveyor section further includes an auger feed gate movable between a closed position and an open position. The grain cart further includes a movement actuator adapted to move the upper auger conveyor section between the first position and the second position. The grain also includes a control system including an auger feed gate position sensor operatively coupled to the movement actuator and functioning to control the movement actuator based on input from the auger feed gate position sensor to provide a lock out function preventing the movement actuator from moving the upper auger conveyor section towards the first position only when the auger feed gate is in the open position.

Abstract: The present report is about the patent of an innovative system utilized in the transportation, load and unload of grains or seeds for silos of storage, dryers and industrial units, being able to be installed directly in vertical silos and or adapted in the conventional principles of transportation as a group or independently, consisting of limits of change of direction and composed by driving and motor gears and points of load and unload respectively, generally established in the extremities of the assembly, hopper of load formed by an upper opening and double system of unload composed by floodgates arranged in the periphery of both intervals of the pipes and provided in transit or channels.

Abstract: Granule conveying apparatus (12) comprising two screw conveyors (21,22) are provided. Each screw conveyor comprises flighting (26,36) mounted to a shaft (27,37) and a cylindrical volume (61,62) associated therewith. Each cylindrical volume (61,62) has a length defined by the associated shaft (27,37) and a diameter defined by the associated flighting (26,36). One end of each of said two screw conveyors meet at an elbow or junction (52) where the direction of material conveyance is changed. The conveyor shafts (27,37) are supported independently from one another. The shaft of one of said two screw conveyors intersects the cylindrical volume associated with the other one of said two screw conveyors at the elbow. The close proximity of the two screw conveyors at the elbow region reduces power consumption.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus useful for assisting in controlling the discharge of material onto a conveyor from a material dispenser includes a carrier, first and second side restrictors extending downwardly from the carrier and at least one wiper extending downwardly from the carrier and transverse to the side restrictors. The side restrictors are configured to assist in preventing at least some material from overflowing off the sides of the conveyor, while the wiper is configured to level the top of at least some of the material dispensed on the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.

Abstract: This invention aims at providing a medicine filling device which can supply the vial container in a smooth manner without getting caught in the vial supply means designed to supply the empty vial container, before filling the drug. The supply means 60 has the structure that the vial container can pass in it and the vial container passage 68. The vial container passage 68 has the passage width goes on tapering from the region on the upper end side towards the region on the lower end side. The vial container passage 68 also has the inner wall surface 62 a, 62 b and 62 c. The vial container passage 68 has the passage portion 68 b being steeper than the inclination of the inner wall surface 62 a and the taper ratio of the passage portion 68 b being smaller than the taper ratio of the passage width in the receiving portion 62.

Abstract: Fixed amount discharging equipment for simultaneously discharging a particulate body from a plurality of containers containing the particulate body, comprising a casing to the interior of which is provided a belt conveyor and having a particulate body discharge hole below the carrying direction end of the belt conveyor, and a plurality of supply arranged in the carrying direction of the belt conveyor and passing through the casing, lower ends thereof penetrating into the casing and being arranged above the belt of the belt conveyor, the lower ends of the supply pipes being such that the downstream sides thereof in the belt carrying direction have notches of a predetermined length from the end faces upward.

Abstract: A device for receiving and transporting objects in a direction substantially different from the vertical is disclosed. The device includes a conveyor belt arranged in a transport direction and a row of flexible elements attached alongside and above the conveyor belt. Each row of flexible elements is inclined downwards, so as to present less mechanical resistance to a force oriented downwards than upwards. The device also includes a transport belt coupled to the conveyor belt wherein each row of flexible elements is fixed to the transport belt.

Abstract: A hopper is provided with which damages of articles can be suppressed without lowering the processing speed. A hopper (4) includes a first hopper main body (40), and a first gate (G1). A first inner surface (41) of the first gate (G1) forms a collecting space (A1) for holding articles with the first hopper main body (40), and stores articles in the interior of the collecting space (A1) when in the closed state and discharges articles by turning to open. The first inner surface (41) includes a first upper slanted surface (S2) and a first lower slanted surface (S3) that are continuous. An angle formed by the first lower slanted surface (S3) and the horizontal plane is smaller than an angle formed by the first upper slanted surface (S2) and the horizontal plane.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for extracting parts from a general-purpose storage for various vehicle models, the apparatus including a synchronization bar and a driving bar, which transfer driving force by a pneumatic cylinder for providing power of linear reciprocating movement, and an automatic part dropping unit that drops the parts placed on a plurality of plates rotated by the rotation of a plurality of shafts configured to be rotated by the transferred driving force.

Abstract: A guide rail for electronic components, especially for use in robots for electronic components. The guide rail comprises a vertical or inclined guide duct that is provided with a curved, undulating guide track along at least one section thereof in order to decelerate components as the components slide within the guide track.

Abstract: A method and a central-belt machine are provided for filling an order container. The central-belt machine includes two central belt provided with articles along a virtual window of an order, and the articles being discharged to the order container at a filling point at the front longitudinal end (V) of the central belt. The two central belts (1, 2) of the central-belt machine, are arranged vertically one above the other, to fill the order container (3), for an order, by at least one interposed vertical conveyor (4) at a single filling point (P) of the lower central belt (2).

Abstract: A measuring device is arranged to store a block or group of a plurality of objects in a state where the objects are congested in the block, to suppress the scattering magnification of the objects when the objects are dropped off to prevent failures such as seal bite in a filling device disposed below the measuring device, to shorten the dropping length of the objects, and to reduce the contact resistance of the objects to a receiving opening of the filling device during the objects are dropped off to attain the discharging speed of the objects. The shapes and opening degrees of a gate unit can be changed so that a lower opening of a hopper is disposed inside the receiving opening of the filling device in a top plan view.

Abstract: A device for eliminating fugitive material dust emanating from material being transferred from an upper conveyor, feeder or crusher to a lower position, or other location. The device allows adjustability of the chute's total flow capacity where increased capacity is required. The device has a sliding gate disposed in the hopper to control the rate of transfer of the material from the hopper. A chute is disposed below the hopper and is movable in both a lateral direction (transverse to the direction of belt travel), and movable in the axis of belt travel. A choke is slidably attached to the chute, and slidable therein. The gate is positioned to maintain a level of material in the hopper to prevent dust from emanating out of the hopper from the chute. The choke is positioned to reduce airflow through the material as it passes through the chute to a lower position.

Abstract: A storage hopper temporarily stores articles supplied from above and then discharges the articles downward. The storage hopper includes a holding member of an article holding change mechanism in a storage portion. The holding member changes a state in which the articles are held in the storage portion according to a state of the articles.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor (1) is provided in a commissioning system for vertically conveying piece good-type conveying materials of a commissioning order from an upper transfer point (2) to a lower transfer point (3) of the commissioning system. The conveyor includes a vertically oriented receiving device which supports the conveying materials and is open towards the bottom. The receiving device is provided through which conveying material that has been accommodated in the open state falls down into a closest bottom vertically oriented receiving device and/or onto the lower transfer point (3). The receiving device is embodied in the form of a tray or shell between the transfer points (2, 3). The shell can be opened on the bottom side and encompasses two vertical tilting walls (9, 9?) that face each other and can be opened on the bottom side or two horizontal slides (25, 25?) which face each other and can be opened on the bottom side as an opening mouth.

Abstract: A distributing device for distributing closures, supplied from a supply line with outlet, over a plurality of manufacturing lines, each manufacturing line comprising a feed-in, comprises a distributing element, which distributing element comprises at least a number of guideways conforming to the number of manufacturing lines, each guideway comprising an entrance for the positioning of the guideway relative to the outlet of the supply line, an exit for the positioning of the guideway relative to the feed-in of the particular manufacturing line, and a passage connecting the entrance to the exit, as well as a displacement mechanism for the simultaneous positioning of an entrance of a specific guideway of the distributing element in line with the outlet of the supply line and, respectively, of an exit of the specific guideway in line with the feed-in of a manufacturing line, the entrances of the guideways being disposed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the supply line.

Abstract: A first gate opens obliquely downward, and maintains the posture, rendering the slope angle of the bottom surface thereof steeper than that of the bottom surface of the second gate. Thus, the bottom surface of the second gate forms a gentle slope sliding surface, and the bottom surface of the first gate forms a steep slope sliding surface. Then articles drop following the shape of a parabola toward the bottom surface of the first gate on the steep slope side, with momentum gained from sliding down the bottom surface of the second gate on the gentle slope side, and then change the sliding trajectory inward upon bumping into the bottom surface of the first gate. The articles then drop following the shape of a parabola toward the center area of a dispersal table, with momentum gained from sliding down the bottom surface of the first gate.

Abstract: A closure system for a trough comprising a first closure member and a second closure member, the first closure member being movable between a closed position, where it closes against the perimeter of a first opening in the bottom of a trough and an open position where it retracts to a position away from contact with the perimeter of the first opening, the second closure member being movable between a closed position where it closes against the perimeter of a second opening in an opposite side of the bottom of the trough and an open position where it retracts to a position away from contact with the perimeter of the second opening, and first and second controllers operable to move the first closure member and second closure member respectively between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for coordinating automated package and bulk dispensing at a remote site. A hopper apparatus includes a series of storage compartments and access doors. The compartments and doors are linked to a PLC that is further linked to an inventory provider. The inventory provider takes product orders from an end-user. The end-user is provided an end-user access code. The inventory provider communicates with the PLC and reserves for the ordered product(s) a vacant storage compartment(s). The inventory provider delivers the product(s) ordered by the end-user to the hopper apparatus. Upon delivery, the inventory provider enters the appropriate end-user access code(s), causing the PLC to open the storage compartment(s) previously reserved by the inventory provider for the products ordered by the end-user. The inventory provider loads the appropriate storage compartment(s) with the end-user product(s).

Abstract: An adjustable aperture apparatus on a bulk material transfer chute that transfers a flow of bulk material from a discharge conveyor to a separate receiving conveyor is automatically closed when no bulk material is being transferred by the transfer chute from the discharge conveyor to the receiving conveyor. With the apparatus being closed, any residual dust from the bulk material remaining on the discharge conveyor is collected on the closed apparatus and primarily contained in the bulk material transfer chute. When bulk material is again conveyed on the discharge conveyor to the bulk material transfer chute, the conveyed bulk material is deposited on the closed aperture apparatus and the weight of the material causes the apparatus to automatically move to an opened condition, allowing the transfer of the collected dust with the bulk material supplied to the bulk material transfer chute to the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing container assemblies having a cup-shaped insert disposed within a container. A container conveyor conveys a series of open containers along a lower horizontal path, the container conveyor bringing each container in turn to a stop at an insertion station. A generally vertical inserter chute is disposed above the insertion station for conducting a generally cup-shaped insert through the inserter and out the lower end into a container positioned at the insertion station. An insert conveyor disposed above the inserter conveys a series of inserts along an upper horizontal path, each insert on the insert conveyor having an open end and an opposite closed end and being in an inverted orientation such that the open end of the insert faces downward. A lead one of the inserts being conveyed on the insert conveyor tips over and falls into the inserter in an upright orientation.

Abstract: A system and method are used to meter fibrous material into a concrete mixture. The system includes an endless conveyor belt rotatably supported on first and second rollers. Pick up members on the belt project into the direction of travel for collecting fibrous material as the belt is rotated through a container having fibrous material therein. The fibrous material is released as the belt is rotated over the second roller where the pick up members are moved away from the belt at the free end thereof due to curvature of the belt. A sweeper mechanism may be provided at the second roller to assist in releasing the fibrous material from the pickup members. The configuration of the container permits any brand or type of fibres to be readily used while still maintaining a consistent delivery or discharge of fibres which is proportional to the movement of the conveyor.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a means for untangling springs (60) contained in a supply bin (12), characterized in that it comprises untangling means (14) with a rail (30) for receiving springs, provided with an open groove (36), means (32) for dynamically calibrating the springs, means for supplying said rail with springs and evacuation means (18).

Abstract: A weigher for a packaging machine has buckets that deliver product batches. Each bucket includes a pair of spaced side walls between which a bottom extends, and over which the product passes. A bottom wall has at least one trough to control the trajectory of the product leaving the bucket to minimize angular velocity of the product about the vertical axis of a chute. The chute has a substantially vertical axis and receives the batches of product from the weighing buckets. The chute has a side wall converging downwardly from an upper opening to a lower opening, and an internal surface over which the product passes.

Abstract: A removable material hopper assembly for gravimetric batch blenders including a hopper, a metering assembly and a releasable securing assembly. The hopper is removable from the blender, and includes a metering slide gate that can be used to tightly seal off the bottom of the hopper during the removable operation. The releasable securing assembly incorporates a tongue and groove subassembly and a pin and bracket subassembly to properly align and secure the hopper to the blender during operation, but also enables easy removal of the hopper when necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying raw materials at constant amounts has a raw material tank for storing and feeding raw materials, a belt for transferring raw materials, a level control guide for defining a thickness of raw materials on the belt, and a belt cover. The apparatus further includes a reversible belt drive motor for controlling a rotation direction of the belt forward and backward and a device for removing raw materials arranged at a backward side of the belt. In the case of supplying the raw materials at constant amounts, a normal operation of supplying the raw materials is performed by rotating the belt in a forward direction. In the case of removing the raw materials arranged on the belt and in the raw material tank, the raw materials are transferred to the device for removing raw materials arranged at a backward side of the belt by rotating the belt in a backward direction so as to remove the raw materials from the belt and the raw material tank.

Abstract: A lumber bin has live bin walls. The lumber bin may be used in lumber sorting. The bin has upstream and downstream walls located above a conveyor. A lumber support in the bin has an elevator mechanism and can be lowered to a discharge position in which lumber on the lumber support can be carried away by the conveyor. A gate is mounted below the conveyor. The gate is in an upright position as the lumber support is lowered. The gate can be pivoted downstream to a lowered position below a level of the conveyor to gently discharge lumber onto the conveyor.

Abstract: A transition station for a sortation conveying system for transitioning randomly discharged horizontal articles into a vertically oriented position for stacking. The transition station includes a transition plate having a curved outer surface extending from a generally horizontal first end to a generally vertical second end. The transition plate receives articles discharged from a supply source and directs the article onto an edge surface. A discharge chute is positioned beneath the second end of the transition plate to receive the article after it has been oriented onto an edge surface. The discharged chute directs the received article onto a discharge stacking station. The transition station includes a deflection hood spaced from the transition plate to define a product gap. The deflection hood contacts an article as it is discharge from the supply source and pivots between a first position and a second position to slow the article and direct the article onto the discharge chute.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging solid particulate material is described that includes a deflectable, curved weigh pan with a given radius of curvature to receive a continuous flow of material and discharge the material along a first discharge pathway, the radius of curvature at the inlet end being substantially perpendicular to the feed pathway; a pivotal material flow diverter adjacent having an inlet end adjacent the pan outlet end, the diverter having a lowered position beneath the first discharge pathway, and a raised position intersecting the first discharge pathway; a transducer for continually measuring pan deflection; a controller to receive deflection measurements from the transducer and transmit an actuation signal when a target weight of material has crossed the pan; and an actuator to pivot the diverter between the first and second positions upon receipt of an actuation signal from the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for feeding bulk metal objects from a hopper supported by a frame. The hopper includes side panels that taper downwardly to form an interior chamber therebetween with upper and lower openings. Doors are hingedly attached to the side panels adjacent the lower opening and are opened and closed by piston and cylinder combinations pivotally attached to the frame and pivotally attached to members extending downwardly from the doors. Arms extend from the doors into the interior chamber to facilitate the movement of the metal objects in the hopper toward the lower opening to feed through the doors. Vibrations created by various movements of the doors also help move the metal objects toward the lower opening.

Abstract: The present invention features a grain distribution apparatus having a top loading intake hopper adapted for direct attachment to the discharge end of a grain auger or similar conveyor. A pair of hingedly connected, movable discharge spouts each receive a portion of the incoming grain stream. Some of the incoming grain is directly discharged from the bottom of the intake hopper. Intermediate discharge ports located along each of the discharge spouts also allow controlled amounts of grain to be discharged. All remaining grain is discharged from the terminal (i.e., distal) ends of the discharge spouts. By controlling the angle of the discharge spouts with respect to a horizontal plane, the pattern of grain discharge by the apparatus may be controlled.

Abstract: A crop material is unloaded from a storage bin by providing a generally triangular pit arranged below the base pad surface of the bin into which crop material can fall from the bin through one of two openings in the base floor. Opening the door of one of the openings at the center of the bin allows discharge of the material into the pit by gravity to an apex at a bottom of the pit below the opening. The pit has a bottom wall inclined upwardly and outwardly to exterior opening outside the bin. An auger standing outside the bin with an inclined auger tube is moved to a position extending downwardly from a top discharge end of the auger to a bottom feed end of the auger which is inserted into the pit through the exterior opening so as to extend to the apex at the bottom of the pit for extracting the material falling into the pit through the center opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a banderole handling device including at least one cassette arranged for supplying banderoles to a banderoling machine, a closure for the discharge end of each cassette and including a cassette support, wherein each cassette is arranged substantially vertically at the cassette support and is positionable above a banderole feeder chute of the banderoling machine. In addition, the invention relates to device for arresting a cassette including banderoles relative to a banderole feeder chute of a banderoling machine, including a closure for the discharge opening of the cassette wherein the closure is configured so that it is accommodated in a receiving portion arranged in a fixed position relative to the banderoling machine or banderole feeder chute during its opening operation. The invention relates further to a system for filling cassettes with stacks of banderoles, in which the cassettes are filled by means of a banderole stack feeder.

Abstract: A device for transferring bars from a magazine into the guiding channel of a feeder for feeding a machine tool, the magazine comprising an inclined surface for supporting the bars having a side for unloading bars into the channel, adjusters for adjusting inclination of the supporting surface, elements for retaining bars on the surface, and bar pickers which are actuated to disengage the lowermost bar from the retention elements and move it to a level for falling into the channel, and actuators for simultaneously actuating the adjusters and the retention elements for inclination and position adjustments suitable to accommodate variations in the diameter of the bars to be transferred.

Abstract: The invention relates to a picker for electronic components (24, 25, 26), more particularly for picking and subsequently testing the components (24, 25, 26). The picker has a fixed feed rail (11) for accommodating a plurality of components (24, 25, 26) arranged juxtaposed in a row as well as a conveyor unit (17) arranged at an exit opening (43) of the feed rail (11) and perpendicularly shiftable thereto. The conveyor unit has a window (27) suitable for receiving a single component (24, 25, 26). An impact-controllable stop (14) is provided in the feed rail (11) upstream of the conveyor unit (17) for arresting components (24, 25, 26) accommodated in the feed rail (11). The spacing between the stop (14) and an end of the feed rail (11) facing the conveyor unit (17) is substantially twice the overall length of a component (24, 25, 26). Pressure acting on a single component (24; 25; 26) arranged in the conveyor window (27) is reduced.

Abstract: A method of feeding cigarettes, of a length considerably greater than their diameter, to an outlet of a hopper, whereby masses of cigarettes having a number of orientations are fed to an inlet, and the cigarettes are selected according to orientation by means of the orientation and size of the inlet.

Abstract: A device for orienting and achieving the optimal density of a quantity of elongated objects having a cleated conveyor belt with a substantially horizontal first portion upon which a pre-weighed product is deposited, an inclined middle portion, and a substantially horizontal end portion. The inclined conveyor belt establishes an even rate of discharge for the elongated objects so that such elongated objects tend to be oriented in a horizontal plane after they have fallen into a product orientation hopper. By having the width of the product-orientation hopper narrower than the length of most of the elongated objects, the longitudinal axis of the elongated objects will tend to be parallel to the sides of the product-orientation hopper. The product-orientation hopper is, also, vibrated to increase the density of the elongated objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for aligning and depositing elongate particles covered with at least one bonding agent on a continuously moving support so as to form a non-woven fabric for the subsequent production of boards. Said device comprises a dosing hopper, a unit for transferring the particles to an orientation unit consisting of several rollers having several compartments, said rollers being arranged at a distance from each other on a horizontal surface and at right angles to the direction of displacement of the continuously moving support. The alignment faces of the rollers, whose surfaces define the compartments and are embodied in an airtight manner, are configured in such a way that, at least in the area of their free ends, they are curved and/or bent against the direction of displacement of the continuously moving support.

Abstract: A flow control device 7A for use with apparatus 1 for discharging granular material from storage, which has an inlet adapted to receive granular material from the storage, a containment chute 7 for receiving material from the inlet and for discharging the material through a discharge opening to a conveyor system 13, includes a pivotally mounted segment gate 11 adapted to move in an arcuate manner across the discharge opening 8 of the containment chute 7 to vary the cross-sectional area of the discharge opening 8 and an actuator 12 for moving or positioning the segment gate.

Abstract: Bulk material is fed by a conveyor (10) into a hopper at the upper end of an upright extendible conduit (12). A fractionally opening gate (14) at the lower end of the conduit controls the rate at which the material in the conduit is discharged onto a discharge conveyor (15). Level sensors (13) detect the level of material in the hopper (18). A programmable logic controller (17) has its inputs connected to the sensors (13) and a belt weigher (11) associated with the conveyor (10), and controls the opening of the gate (14) to maintain a substantially full column of material in the conduit (12). The material discharged into the hopper (18) therefore moves slowly down the conduit in a controlled fashion, with minimal dust generation and product degradation.

Abstract: A reject device (1) for a high-speed packaging machine (2), the device having an input opening (23) for a succession of packages (3) containing pourable food products and traveling along a supply path (A); a first guide surface (18) for guiding the packages (3) along a transfer path (B) to an output station (13, 30); a second guide surface (19) for guiding the packages (3) along an expulsion path (C) intersecting the supply and transfer paths (A, B); and a selecting member (22) located at the intersection of the supply, transfer and expulsion paths (A, B, C), and which has a first and a second wall (32, 33) facing and connected integrally to each other, and rotates, about a fixed hinge axis (E) crosswise to the supply path (A), between a first operating position wherein the first wall (32) is substantially aligned with the first guide surface (18) to direct the packages (3) along the transfer path (B), and a second operating position wherein the second wall (33) is substantially aligned with the second guide

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: An apparatus for controlling a flow of gravity fed, magnetic container closures along a path includes an electromagnet proximal to the path. The electromagnet captures at least one container closure flowing along the path in a magnetic field when the electromagnet is energized. The captured container closure blocks the container closure path, and stops the flow of container closures. Circuitry which incorporates a rectifier energizes the electromagnet when the flow of container closures is not desired. When the flow of container closures is desired, the rectifier reverses the current to the electromagnet and the circuitry deenergizes the electromagnet to positively release the captured container closure.

Abstract: A conveying and feeding apparatus for conveying and constantly feeding a film cartridge one by one so as to feed the next process where a plurality of cartridges are conveyed continuously to a cartridge housing unit or a printing machine. A conveying portion comprises a conveyer belt and a guide board, and near its downstream end, a cartridge stopper mechanism is provided. This stopper mechanism comprises a first stopper member and a second stopper member. When the first stopper member stops a forefront cartridge T, the second stopper member is in a release position. Further, when the first stopper member is in a release position, the second stopper member is in a closed position so that the cartridge T can be constantly sent one by one.

Abstract: A concrete container for introducing concrete into formworks includes an upwardly open vessel with a downwardly narrowing bottom portion with an outlet opening and a flexible pipe connected to the outlet opening for distributing the concrete. Underneath the outlet opening of the concrete container, an essentially horizontally extending crossbeam is arranged, wherein the crossbeam is arranged so as to be displaceable transversely of the freely suspended flexible pipe. The two ends of the crossbeam, whose length corresponds at least to the diameter of the flexible pipe, are suspended from the concrete container by connecting members. Tension springs are attached in an articulated manner to the two ends of the crossbeam, wherein the other ends of the tension springs are fastened to the support frame, wherein the tension springs are tensioned when the crossbeam is located laterally of the outlet opening in a position releasing the flexible pipe.

Abstract: A multiple hopper system for improved forming of solid, flowing product into sequential batches or charges, transferring the batches between the hoppers, combination weighing/selection and discharging to a packaging machine is provided. A computer senses the batch weight and assigns the weight in sequence first to the transfer hopper, and then to the holding hopper. Both the transfer and holding hoppers participate in each computerized weighing/selection cycle. The forming hopper includes a shell and double-acting clam shell doors; the upper curved portion of each door extending into the hopper when the doors are open, thereby intercepting any late product in flight and initiating formation of the next batch. The transfer and holding hoppers also incorporate pairs of clam shell type doors. A curved transition chute is positioned below the holding hopper. The holding hopper doors slope at an angle in the direction along the closing lips of the door.

Abstract: A materials handling system (30) for controlling the gravity discharge of material through a discharge opening (33) onto a conveyor (34) comprises a gate (40) extending across the discharge opening (33) and having a plurality of outlet openings (40.4) therein for the through flow of material from the discharge opening (33) through the gate (40). The gate (40) has closure members (71) for the outlet openings (40.4). First and second linkage members (71.4, 71.5) extend along the gate (40) and a power source (71.6, 71.7) for moving the linkage members (71.4, 71.5) relative to the gate (40) and independently of each other, is provided. Coupling members (71.8) for selectively coupling the closure members (71) to either one or the other of the linkage members (71.4, 71.5) is provided. In an another embodiment, a feeder deck (60) is provided below the gate (40). The feeder deck (60) has a materials receiving surface (61.5), corresponding with each outlet opening (40.4) in the gate (40). A scraper (61.

Abstract: A materials handling system for controlling the gravity discharge of material through a discharge opening 33 onto a conveyor 34 comprises a gate 40 extending across the discharge opening 33 and having at least one but preferably a plurality of outlet openings 40.4 therein for the through flow of material from the discharge opening and a feeder deck 60 below the gate 40 having a surface for receiving material discharged from the discharge opening 33 through the gate 40. The feeder deck surface is movable transversely of the discharge opening 33 for controlling the flow of material through the gate 40 and for discharging the material onto the conveyor 34. The materials handling system can be employed for controlling the gravity discharge of material from a plurality of in-line domes 100 or from a plurality of holds 112 of a self-unloading ship 110.