Abstract: This disclosure may generally relate to drilling operations and, more particularly, to systems and methods for cleaning a drilling fluid as it travels back to the surface from a wellbore. An apparatus may comprise a magnetic body having a longitudinal axis. The magnetic body may comprise a pair of end plates that are spaced along the longitudinal axis and a magnetic unit disposed between the pair of end plates, wherein the magnetic unit is operable to generate a magnetic field. The apparatus may additionally comprise an axle disposed along a longitudinal axis of the magnetic body, wherein the axle is operable to rotate the magnetic body about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A deflection device for a belt conveyor includes an endless conveyor belt for the deflection of the conveyor belt between a first stretch section and a second stretch section running transversely thereto. The deflection device includes at least one turning device and a second turning device for the conveyor belt. The first and second turning devices are arranged in a region of a bottom strand of the conveyor belt and wherein each turning device includes at least one vertical deflection roller for the conveyor belt, in order to turn the conveyor belt from a horizontal plane into a vertical plane.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for use in a continuous cooking system includes a non-metallic counter-balance having a contact bar located toward its uppermost end and a load located toward its lowermost end. The contact bar is sized to span a useable width of the belt and the load is sized to urge the contact bar into continued contact with a portion of the belt as the belt travels around the end roller. A rotational joint is provided for pivoting the counter-balance toward and away from belt, the joint being arranged to provide a predetermined amount of travel relative to the belt. A slot is provided for adjusting a position of the counter-balance relative to the belt. The uppermost product-contact surface of the bar can be round, flat, or angled and can include grooves to reduce the amount of contact area.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a frame, a drive roller carried by the frame, and a tail roller carried by the frame. The drive roller and the tail roller each include a relief channel positioned around a roller circumference. The conveyor system further includes a first intermediate roller positioned between the drive roller and the tail roller and carried by the frame, where the first intermediate roller has a channel positioned around a first intermediate roller circumference. The conveyor system also includes a continuous flexible belt positioned around the drive roller and the tail roller, where the continuous flexible belt has an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a guide extending inwards from the interior surface. The guide is positioned within the channel of the first intermediate roller and the guide is spaced apart from the drive roller relief channel and the tail roller relief channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor belt comprising: a plurality of substantially parallel metal rods, a plurality of metal links interconnecting the rods, a plurality of plastic deck elements, each having two parallel longitudinal holes and having a support surface, wherein the parallel metal rods extend through the longitudinal holes and wherein the links are arranged on each end of the rods.

Abstract: The material sample collector is adapted to divert a sample of material from a trough conveyor for analysis of the sample. The collector includes at least one, and preferably two or more, laterally offset wheels rotating on axles. The wheels are in a vertical plane forming an acute dihedral angle with a vertical plane in which the central longitudinal axis of the conveyor is disposed. Each wheel subtends an elliptical segment extending across a portion of the width of the conveyor when viewed from an end of the conveyor. A sample chute extends laterally from the conveyor. The wheels are normally raised above the conveyor and its contents, and lowered when a sample is taken. The lowered wheels bear against the conveyor and/or its contents, diverting material from the conveyor onto a chute. The device is preferably manually operated, but may be powered and automated.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant and method for filling bottles with a liquid beverage having a treatment device for beverage container caps. The treatment device for treating beverage container caps includes a first tower and a second tower provided with parallel axes and driven at the same peripheral speed. Transfer chutes are provided that emerge with their ends onto carrier rings of different towers, which chutes transfer caps from each tier of the first tower to a tier of the second tower, and from there, optionally via at least one additional tower and transfer chutes, to the next-lower tier of first tower.

Abstract: An intermediate discharge assembly to remove granular material from a conveyor belt used in an enclosed roller belt conveyor assembly. The intermediate discharge assembly includes a first pair of leading and trailing pulleys, a second pair of leading and trailing pulleys and a plow. The first pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt in a substantially concave manner. The second pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt in a substantially flat manner. The plow is positioned between the first and second pairs of leading and trailing pulleys. The plow is operable to remove the granular material from the conveyor belt when the second pair of leading and trailing pulleys supports the conveyor belt and the plow is positioned atop the conveyor belt, such that the granular material is removed from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A system which utilizes a scraper blade, set at an angle to longitudinal centerline of a conveyor belt, to remove metal objects therefrom, the belt, under normal operating conditions, being supported in a trough-like configuration. Attached to the backside of the blade is a pair of high density plastic press-down feet. They protrude downwardly a short distance below the lower edge of the scraper blade; and each press-down foot, immediately prior to belt flattening, is disposed above a part of the trough-shaped belt which situated just inside one of its outer edges. Making contact with the belt slightly ahead of the scraper blade, the press-down feet flatten the belt, protecting it as the blade is being lowered. Any contact between the belt and the blade occurs along its lower edge which is covered by a high density rubber guard beneath which the belt can slip. Similarly, beneath the belt are mounted flat, elongated strips made of a high density plastic.

Abstract: A conveyor includes an assembly for bridging the gap at the end of a conveyor section. It includes an idler roller at the end of the conveyor section. The idler roller is seated in upwardly open slots and can lift completely out of the conveyor frame if an article becomes entrapped between the idler roller and the conveyor belt, in order to release the article.

Abstract: Articles are conveyed along a primary conveyor in a first direction, and are moved rapidly onto a selected one of a plurality of sorting conveyors closely packed and extending generally lateral to the primary conveyor by rotating the articles so that a portion of each rotated article extends across the side of the primary conveyor to be frictionally engaged on the sorting conveyor for rapid movement away from the primary conveyor.

Abstract: An endlessly driven belt extends around a drum and carries a product. Removal of the product from the belt is effected by a doctor blade which bears against a portion of the belt traversing the drum. The doctor blade is fixedly connected to the drum for movement therewith to remain parallel to a surface of the belt. The doctor blade is attached to shafts that are mounted in respective bearing assemblies that permit movement of the shafts along their mutually aligned axes. The doctor blade can be positioned between upstanding ribs formed on the belt whereby the ribs can displace the doctor blade in response to pivoting of the drum in order to keep the doctor blade parallel to the axis of the drum.

Abstract: The conveyor system of the present invention comprises a first conveyor having an extending edge with a tapered profile, and a second, discontinuously-aligned conveyor, the conveying surface of which is directed below, but in close proximity to, the tapered profile of the first conveyor edge for the direct transfer of articles therebetween.

Abstract: A food service facility for drive-up and walk-up patronage, a multi-purpose column, conveyor delivery structures, and menu and order display units. The food service facility comprises base level and second level housings, readily set up and removed from a site.

Abstract: A sanitary trash recycling apparatus includes a pit for receiving unsorted refuse, a electromagnetic device for removing ferrous materials and stations for permitting manual sorting of recyclable materials. The stations for manually sorting materials includes a device for moving the material to be sorted out toward the sorting operators as it moves through the station. A plurality of chutes are provided for each one of a number of recyclable products and bins are provided for receiving the sorted materials.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a food service facility for drive-up and walk-up patronage, to a method for food preparation, to a retractable menu, and to a drink dispenser and service module. The food service facility comprises base level and second level housings, readily set up and removed from a site. The food preparation method is primarily directed to pizza preparation, the pizza being incompletely cooked and stored, and then rapidly cooked to completion to provide fast food service time to patrons.

Abstract: A multi-part tray is provided to carry a plurality of objects in precise and accurate array through a process device. The tray parts are each fastened to a flexible plate and also to a conveyor. The conveyor is caused to travel a circuitous route around convex curves which thereupon splay the tray parts apart beneath a loading station and also beneath an unloading station where the objects are slidably moved onto or removed form the tray. A plurality of loading and unloading fingers slide in corresponding grooves in the bottoms of the tray-parts and beneath the objects.

Abstract: A novel product feeding device for a combination weighing machine. The feeding device is designed to feed a plurality of weighing hoppers of the machine with product, such as uncooked meat, having sticky characteristics so that it cannot be conveyed by vibrating conveyor troughs as used in prior art conventional combination weighing machines. The novel feeding device includes a plurality of horizontal rotating discs corresponding to respective weighing hoppers. The discs are arranged in successively overlapping fashion for transferring product fed to the discs at one sides thereof to respective weighing hoppers disposed under the discs at the opposite sides thereof.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for conveying free-flowing material such as coal, ore lumps, and the like from a source to a railroad car loading station or the like, and for unloading the material from the conveyor into the cars without the need for moving the cars regardless of the number of cars at the station. The apparatus comprises gantry means, arm means mounted on and extending from said gantry means, sweep means pivotally mounted on the arm means, and power means for controlling the pivoting and positioning of the sweep means relative to a conveying means.

Abstract: An improved conveyor system with a leveling device for preventing the accumulation of material into distinct ridges at the top of the discharge pile and thus increasing the storage capacity of bins. A pivoting drag device is hung from the undercarriage of a shuttle conveyor so that, as the conveyor is moved across the material, the drag knocks the tops off the previously formed ridges and provides room for storage of material to a greater height.

Abstract: Bundles of vegetables such as broccoli, and the like, are banded by apparatus (10) comprising an expander assembly (18) having a plurality of arms (86, 86', 86") which swing toward and away from one another about axes perpendicular to a phase of an associated segment in order to expand and contract an elastic band (E) placed on the arms when retracted and permit a worker to place a bundle to be banded within an expanded band. A plurality of expander assemblies (18) can be mounted on a continuous conveyor (14, 14') formed by a plurality of planar segments (16) articulated to one another and each supporting a respective expander assembly. Banded bundles are removed from conveyor (14, 14') by an extractor arrangement (30) including a pair of opposed belts (32, 32') provided with flexible fingers (34) which engage the banded bundles in a protective manner in order to remove them from an associated expander assembly (18).

Abstract: An improved grain or particulate distributor includes a radially extending conveyor mounted for sweeping about the center of a bin for evenly and homogeneously distributing material therein. Discharge or sweeper bars are adjustably angularly mounted across selected areas of the conveyor for discharging grain from one trailing side of the conveyor into the bin, while an inclined surface with adjustable vanes facilitates the smooth transition of the discharged grain from the belt to the silo. Grain agitation is minimized to impede separation of fine from coarse particles. Means are provided for also distributing a portion of grain to the periphery of the silo. A chute for feeding the conveyor has a grain controlling gate responsive to the amount of grain in the chute available for feeding, and the conveyor belt has two speeds which are selected responsive to the volume of grain in the chute.

Abstract: Apparatus for diverting articles from a belt conveyor at an article-discharge zone, wherein a diverter is moved from a position at the side of the belt to a position wherein it extends at an angle to the direction of movement of the belt transversely of the belt in the path of movement of the articles. The diverter is pivotally mounted to swing through an angle from its retracted position along one side of the belt to its extended position in which it extends across the conveyor at an angle so that articles encounter it and are diverted from the conveyor. The axis of the pivotal movement of the diverter is at the upstream edge of the article-discharge zone and is so positioned that the path of the downstream end of the diverter moves along an arc which intersects the near edge of the belt substantially opposite or downstream from the point where that arc intersects the far edge of the belt.

Abstract: A system for transporting panel members to a plurality of selected sorting locations includes two pair of laterally spaced, elevated, endless conveyor belts defining a path of travel coinciding with the sorting locations. The belts in each pair thereof are also laterally spaced to define a longitudinally extending slot therebetween. An air plenum disposed between opposite sides of each belt communicates with the slots and is coupled with an air pump to produce suction through the slot which releasably holds the panels against the belts as the latter carry the panels along the path of travel. Selectively actuatable, force transmitting mechanism disposed adjacent each of the sorting locations initially breaks the air seal between the leading edge of the panels and the belts, while deflection structure is provided to peel the panels away from the belts to permit gravity induced delivery thereof to the sorting locations.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for stacking and distributing comminuted material including a fixed first support, a second support supported by the first support and capable of rotation about a vertically extending axis, an arm secured to the second support and concomitantly rotatable with the second support, a rotating mechanism for rotating the second support about the rotational axis, a first pulley secured to one end of the arm, a second pulley secured to the arm between the second support and the end of the arm opposite the first pulley, an endless conveyor belt around the first and second pulleys, support elements along the arm to support the conveyor belt, an actuating mechanism for driving the conveyor belt about the first and second pulleys, a plow supported by the arm having a plow blade above and in proximity to the conveyor belt and a reversible winch for moving the plow along the arm.

Abstract: A flow control or flow diverging gate assembly for a conveyor having a sidewall interrupted by an opening along its length, a flow diverting gate or shear being pivotably mounted in the opening and extendable and retractable in length, the unpivoted end of the gate being guided by track means including a first guide portion parallel with the sidewall and second guide portion traversing the conveyor, movement of the gate along the first guide portion providing a variable opening in the side wall to relieve overflow on the belt, movement of the gate along the second guide portion intercepting a portion of the flow path along the conveyor to selectively reduce the flow of articles therealong.

Abstract: Conveyer load shunting apparatus having a housing with a main shaft equipped with a radial shunt bar extending over the conveyer to divert a load traveling on one conveyer to another. A lever on the main shaft is swung by a solenoid via a push-pull rod to swing the shunt bar from neutral to a shunting position. A spring biases the shunt bar to neutral and the solenoid armature extended. A horizontal rocker bar extends from the housing into the conveyer and has a radial leg equipped with a load engaging wheel. A spring and a radial switch bar on the rocker shaft biases the rocker shaft angularly to swing the wheel to a neutral position below the conveyer. A radial blocker arm on the rocker shaft has an end which is engageable with a peg on the lever of the main shaft to block the angular position of the main shaft with the shunt bar in shunt position. Thus the weight of the load holds the apparatus in shunt position with no strain on the solenoid.

Abstract: A material handling system for distributing granular solids from a single source to a plurality of distribution points in which a plurality of selectively adjustable leveling bars control the thickness of a layer of material on a conveyor, and a plurality of arcuate-shaped guide chutes divert the material from the conveyor to the plurality of distribution points. The guide chutes are positioned longitudinally along the sides of the conveyor and their lateral positions are selectively adjustable relative thereto. The cooperative relationship among the height of the leveling bars, the lateral position of the guide chutes, and the speed of the conveyor determines the amount of material diverted from the conveyor to the individual distribution points. According to an alternate arrangement a constant thickness of the material layer is maintained and the selective position of the guide chutes is used to control the amount of material diverted.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a new scrap kick-out conveyor for a continuous buttweld pipe mill installation. The pipe mill includes a scrap cut-off saw, located between the welding mill and the subsequent processing mills, and the kick-out conveyor is located downstream of the scrap saw. The conveyor includes stock advancing rolls, for supporting and advancing the pipe stock, and inboard and outboard guide rails for laterally confining the pipe. Means are provided for retracting selected portions of the outboard guide rail and for diverting selected portions of the inboard rail to lie across the pass line, such that the oncoming scrap section is diverted off of the conveyor. An inclined discharge apron is provided adjacent the outboard guide rail, leading to a scrap bin. The retractable portion of the outboard guide rail is arranged to retract downwardly, and is provided with an inclined upper surface to facilitate gravity discharge of the scrap sections.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated diverter mechanism including a pivoted arm selectively operable to pass or divert articles moving along a conveyor path. Resilient linkage preloaded by solenoid actuation for swinging the arm into a final "over-center" diverting position yields to intercepting engagement of a passing article occurring before the final diverting position is reached. A spring returns the arm from diverting to passing position upon de-energizing the solenoid. Load reaction on the over-center linkage delays return until completion of any diverting engagement which may have started prior to de-energizing the solenoid.

Abstract: A conveyor for granular material includes an elongated hollow channel covered by a suitable cover and having a hollow interior along which the granular material is to be conveyed. A rotary screw extends along the hollow interior of the channel for conveying the granular material therein, this rotary screw including an elongated shaft and a screw carried thereby. Between the opposed ends of the elongated shaft there is situated within the channel at least on bearing which supports the shaft for rotary movement, and a transverse wall extends across the interior of the channel and is supported thereby, this transverse wall carrying the bearing, so that the bearing together with the transverse wall carrying the same block the travel of the granular material longitudinally along the interior of the channel.

Abstract: An apparatus suitable for use in transporting microfiche master frames, preferably containing microfiche, either from a loading station to an operating station and from the operating station selectively back to the loading station for a repeat transport by said apparatus, or to an exit station. The transport apparatus comprises a feed mechanism for feeding a master frame from the loading station to the operating station, and from the operating station to an elevator. The elevator lifts the master frame which is then selectively ejected from the elevator to either a recycle means or an exit means. The exit means delivers the master frames ejected thereto to an exit station from where the master frames may be removed from the transport apparatus, while the recycle means delivers the master frames delivered thereto back to the loading station from where the master frames are recycled through the transport apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for automatically unloading a driverless vehicle while the vehicle is moving along a guided path. The propulsion force of the vehicle is used to effect the unloading. A cantilever arm projects across the guided path for the driverless vehicle and is pushed out of the way by the vehicle. The pushing of the cantilever arm by the vehicle causes a sweep arm to traverse at least a portion of the vehicle deck thereby pushing a load off the deck onto a receiver such as a conveyor. The cantilever arm and sweep arm are selectively connected together whereby vehicles which are not to be unloaded may traverse the location of the unloader without effecting movement of the sweep arm.