Abstract: A scraper for use on a scraper chain conveyor, the scraper having an upper element and a lower element. A chain bed for receiving at least one horizontal chain link and at least one vertical chain link is formed in both upper and lower elements. The upper element and lower element are connected together by means of form-fit surfaces provided on the upper element and the lower element, such that these form-fit surfaces engage with each other when the two elements are assembled for operation to form a form-fit lock. A chain link presses from behind against the lower element or the upper element of the scraper in the direction of transport and this force reinforces the form-fit lock between the two elements.

Abstract: An extendable conveyor disclosed herein includes a base unit and a mechanically extendable section, which is adjustably positionable between a nested position within the base unit and an extended position telescoped forwardly from the base unit. The conveyor includes a conveying surface for conveying articles extending at least partially on an upper side of the mechanically extendable section. The mechanically extendable section is an outmost mechanically extendable section and the outmost mechanically extendable section has a modular front end portion which can carry a loading set and an unloading set.

Abstract: A conveyor for beverage packages includes an endless series of spacer elements by which successive packages (A) are spaced apart from one another. Each spacer element of the series includes a pair of leading and trailing carton engaging lugs (412, 414). The leading and trailing lugs (412, 414) are adjustable from a first setting in which both the leading and trailing lugs of each pair are in abutment with one another to a second setting in which the leading and trailing lugs of each pair are separated from one another.

Abstract: An endless loop belt conveyor system that is free of rollers is produced from a roller conveyor or a powered endless belt roller conveyor using a conversion kit. The conversion kit includes at least one endless loop belt conveyor guide; and at least two conveyor guide mounts. In addition, the conversion kit may include a motor driven roller section and an idler roller section both designed to be dropped in at the head portion or at the tail portion of a frame. The resulting converted conveyor system, and also the method of removing and replacing roller conveyors to convert the conveyor system to an endless belt conveyor that is free of rollers is taught.

Abstract: An endless loop belt conveyor system that is free of rollers is produced from a roller conveyor or a powered endless belt roller conveyor using a conversion kit. The conversion kit includes at least one endless loop belt conveyor guide; and at least two conveyor guide mounts. In addition, the conversion kit may include a motor driven roller section and an idler roller section both designed to be dropped in at the head portion or at the tail portion of a frame. The resulting converted conveyor system, and also the method of removing and replacing roller conveyors to convert the conveyor system to an endless belt conveyor that is free of rollers is taught.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular construction system for a conveyor for conveying article carriers longitudinally or transversely, having lateral longitudinal carriers, having transverse frame elements which connect these longitudinal carriers, and having driven load-bearing conveying means for the article carriers. The object of the present invention is to provide a modular construction system which is significantly improved in relation to prior-art solutions in respect of production costs, assembly and installation costs, process costs and the delivery time for the conveyor. In order to achieve the object, it is proposed that the longitudinal carrier, which accommodates the conveying means, is a respective torsionally rigid hollow aluminum or plastic profile which can be connected in a releasable manner to the transverse frame element and is designed for optionally accommodating driven load-bearing rollers or insertable sliding plates for a load-bearing belt.

Abstract: A conversion kit and a method for inexpensively converting a roller conveyor into a belt conveyor. The converted conveyor is made from a roller conveyor that has a frame with two parallel sides supporting a set of parallel rollers at spaced apart locations. A conversion kit is used to make the conversion. The kit includes attachment collars that fit around selected rollers and wearstrip material that extends outward from the attachment collars and overlies a group of consecutive collars. The wearstrip material and the collars resting on the rollers form a carryway bed on which a conveyor belt or chain is supported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a conventional mechanical or hydraulic system for driving the infeed and outfeed rolls of a planer mill or a similar conveyor to variable frequency electric power. The method involves disconnecting the roller shafts from pre-existing mechanical and hydraulic drive components housed within the conveyor gearbox or other support frame. The electric motors are mounted at fixed positions on a panel rigidly connected to the gearbox or other support frame at a location spaced-apart from the roller shafts. Each motor is coupled to a corresponding roller shaft by means of a connector drive shaft having universal joint couplers at each end thereof. This arrangement permits displacement of the roller shafts during normal operation of the conveyor without transferring torque forces to the electric motors. The speed of each motor and hence each roller may be independently controlled by a frequency inverter which is operable by remote control.

Abstract: A load forming apparatus is described for forming a load comprised of layers of bundles, in which first and second conveyors are configured to deliver individual first bundles of load components to individual respective first and second transfer stations. A load former operatively joins the conveyor transfer stations. A transfer device adjacent the transfer stations is alternatively operable to (a) move the first bundles from the first transfer station to the load former to form a load comprised of first bundles; (b) move the second bundles from the second transfer station to the load former to form a load comprised of second bundles; or (c) alternate moving the first and second bundles from the first and second transfer stations to the load former to form a load comprised of first and second bundles. A load former feed system is also described in which the bundle transfer station and bundle transfer device are selectively separable to form a manual operator station.

Abstract: An easily transportable self-powered conveyor device, for use e.g. in transporting pieces of wood over rough terrain, has a drive chain and driven disc installed on a chainsaw in place of a saw chain and bar, the drive chain being in driving engagement with the driven disc. A sheave is connected to an output of a reduction gearing for rotation thereby and a rope extends around the sheave, with securing devices attached to the rope and spaced apart along the rope for temporarily securing objects to the rope for conveyance thereby as the rope is pulled by the sheave. A retaining device anchors the sheave to any suitable support, e.g. a tree.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method of converting power conveyors for improving the efficiency and usage factor of machines located along a line fed by such conveyors. In some systems such as assembling and forming signatures for binding into magazines, all the machines along the line are not required for all the jobs. Efficiency and equipment utilization is improved by transforming the existing power conveyer into two power conveyers, going in opposite directions and simultaneously feeding a portion of the machines for each of two jobs not requiring all the machines on the line.

Abstract: A convertible metering apparatus for dispensing metered quantities of different flowable goods of unlike physical properties comprises a housing defining a material storge chamber therein; a motor; and a drive shaft being rotatably connected to the motor and extending into the housing. There is further provided a metering member adapted to handle a flowable material of a first physical property; a discharge unit configured to receive the metering member therein; and a first releasable connecting arrangement for readily connecting the metering member to and readily disconnecting it from the drive shaft. This arrangement ensures that the metering member is readily replaceable by another metering member adapted to handle a flowable material of a second physical property.

Abstract: This invention relates to a discharge apparatus for storage bins and tanks having a central bottom outlet opening to allow a discharge conveyor to remove bulk material and a sweep conveyor within the storage bin, the improvement is that the outlet opening is adapted so that the sweep conveyor can be driven by its own motor or through gearing means driven by the discharge conveyor motor. A bearing support is provided for mounting the sweep conveyor with its own motor, and a structure is provided to mount a gear box connectably drivable by the discharge conveyor. The gear box arrangement comprises an upper and lower conventional gear box, together with a clutch to engage or disengage the sweep conveyor as required. Another improvement resides in having the sweep auger of the single drive system detachable. A further improvement lies in supplying a broom auger, in parallel with the sweep auger.

Abstract: Apparatus for discriminately treating containers and the like, the apparatus includes a continuous conveyor mounting arms to carry a random stream of containers along first and second paths of travel; two photoelectric sensors positioned to sense and discriminate among the random stream of containers, and a control mechanism is mounted adjacent to the continuous conveyor to divert selected containers into the first or second path of travel, containers diverted into the second path of travel being urged into oscillating engagement with a vibrating bed for the purpose of settling the contents of the container.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement for assembly parts comprises a rectilinear vibratory conveyor track comprising two conveyor track parts constituting guide members for the assembly parts, a device for feeding the assembly parts to the conveyor track, a base plate separate from the feeding device and supporting the rectilinear conveyor track, vibrating drive mounting the conveyor track on the base plate, and the guide members being adjustably displaceable in relation to the base plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides an installation for the continuous production of presecured folded cardboard packing cases, this installation comprising essentially a glueing unit, a folding unit, a two-speed positioning station and a stapler, disposed in line.According to the invention, the positioning station comprises two devices (17 and 34) for transferring the sheets, the first of which (17) is formed by mechanical chains (18) with retractable studs (24a to 24d) and the second (34) consists of a "drive sandwich" formed preferably from two superimposed trains of mobile belts (37 and 52), the upper belt train (37) being moveable in height. These first and second transfer devices may be made respectively inactive and operational, in response to setting the glueing unit alone in operation and respectively operational and inactive in response to setting the stapler in operation.

Abstract: An injection molding machine which is capable of injecting both thermoplastic compounds and glass loaded thermosetting polyester compounds, wherein the machine is capable of rapid conversion from its thermoplastic configuration to its thermosetting configuration, and vice versa. The machine comprises an elongated charge forming barrel having a rearward thermoplastic feed opening, which is customarily supplied by pelletized thermoplastic material from a vertical feed hopper, and a thermosetting material feed opening extending into the barrel at a position forwardly of the thermoplastics feed opening. When processing thermoplastics materials, a conventional, fully flighted plasticizing screw is installed in the barrel so that the pelletized material is conveyed forwardly from the rear feed opening, and plasticized for subsequent injection. During thermoplastics processing, the thermosetting feed opening is plugged.

Abstract: A closed conveyor for transporting finely divided solids, such as grain and the like, comprising feed and discharge sections interconnected by a transport conduit and a return conduit. Sprockets are provided in the feed and discharge sections and a cable is trained about the sprockets and through the two conduits. The cable is equipped with material-engaging flights of area less than the cross-section of the conduit. Each sprocket is provided with material-engaging blades which serve to stir, fluidize and impart movement to the material being transported to render it as a fast-flowing dilute suspension. Lugs are provided on the cable between the flights and are positioned to be engaged by complemental lug-engaging elements on the sprockets. Each pair of lug-engaging elements on the sprockets fits between but in contact with a pair of lugs on the cable. The sprocket elements are notched to accept the cable lugs.