Abstract: A conveyor chain for a pallet belt of a moving walkway is described. The conveyor chain comprises multiple elongate chain links, which are arranged behind one another at a chain pitch, and which can be subjected to a tensile load by link pins and are coupled so as to be pivotable about a longitudinal center axis of the respective link pin transverse to the longitudinal direction. The conveyor chain furthermore comprises multiple elongate connecting elements that are likewise arranged behind one another and pivotably coupled to one another. Each of the connecting elements is coupled to an associated first link pin with a front end and coupled to an associated second link pin with a rear end. In this case, a connecting element pitch between the first and the second link pin amounts to an integer multiple of the chain pitch.

Abstract: A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

Abstract: System and methods for providing a transfer of products with the ability to match speed and position, and to change the incoming products from a narrow-edge-leading orientation to broad-edge-leading orientation, and to convey the products to a location to be grouped and transferred.

Abstract: A device for conveying packaged goods and/or bulk goods from and/or into a transport device includes a boom. The boom has a conveying unit, which is mounted to be vertically movable, for conveying the packaged goods and/or the bulk goods, and a force transmission unit. The conveying unit and the drive are arranged between fastening devices and/or between force deflection devices. The conveying unit can be moved substantially vertically by the drive.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention may provide a modular conveyor that includes a conveyor frame including an access opening, a plurality of conveyor buckets configured to move along a continuous path within the conveyor frame, and an access station where the contents of a conveyor bucket disposed at the access station may be accessible through the access opening. Each of the plurality of conveyor buckets may be configured to be substantially enclosed by the conveyor frame when not at the access station. The conveyor frame may include at least one channel disposed about a perimeter of the continuous path, where each of the plurality of conveyor buckets include at least one projection configured to engage the at least one channel. The conveyor buckets may be driven along the continuous path by a drive mechanism disposed outside of the conveyor frame.

Abstract: A system includes a solid feed pump configured to transport a solid feedstock. The solid feed pump includes at least one passage for the transport of the solid feedstock. The solid feed pump also includes at least one movable wall configured to move along the passage. The solid feed pump further includes a retractable gripping element configured to extend from the at least one movable wall into the at least one passage to grip a portion of the solid feedstock. In addition, the retractable gripping element is configured to retract away from the at least one passage.

Abstract: Device for recovering fines constituted by a dragging conveyor/loop elevator equipped with scrapers/collecting cups (4) moved by a catenary link according to a closed path and associated to a plate conveyor supported by chains or metallic belt, which conveyor is equipped with pendula/pushers hinged to the transport plates themselves.

Abstract: A device for filling containers, in particular bottles and beakers with food products, in particular with low viscosity to pasty dairy and fat products, juices, waters and similar, comprising: an upper main element, a lower main element and lateral elements connecting the upper main element and the lower main element; and a plurality of support elements which are endlessly supported on rollers through the device past operating stations along the upper main element, the lateral element and the lower main element, wherein the support elements include receivers for containers which receivers are arranged in series transversal to a feed direction, wherein at least two support elements are arranged on a common frame and are run by the frame on rollers through the device in an endless manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for distributing tablets on a support strip having a determinate number “n” of compartments or alveoli organized in parallel rows and each able to hold at least one tablet. The machine comprises a separation, preparation and alignment device, a conveyor device with transfer pipes and a rotating transfer drum provided with seatings on an external surface. The seatings are made on distinct gripping and transport elements, disposed peripherally and axially to the transfer drum.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an electronic device or component such as an anisotropic conductive film comprising: distributing a plurality of conductive particles into an array of microcavities formed on a surface of a continuous carrier belt, rotating the belt carrying the conductive particles while conveying a surface of an adhesive layer into contact with the surface of the rotating belt, transferring the conductive particles from the microcavities on the belt to the adhesive layer in predefined locations in the adhesive layer corresponding to the array of microcavities on the belt, and separating the adhesive layer from the surface of the belt. In one embodiment, the position of the microcavities is varied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A system is provided with a segmented solid feed pump having a plurality of pump segments disposed along a closed-loop path. The plurality of pump segments are coupled together in series along the closed-loop path, and the plurality of pump segments move along the closed-loop path. Furthermore, each pump segment includes a holding receptacle.

Abstract: A bread packaging system comprising: a movable member on which a scoop for holding a packaging member to package bread is mounted; a guide member for defining a moving path along which the movable member is moved; a reciprocating motion mechanism having an endless revolving member for reciprocating the movable member along the guide member; and a link member for linking the endless revolving member with the movable member, wherein the bread packaging system is configured to reciprocate the movable member along the guide member by revolving the endless revolving member in one direction.

Abstract: The postal sorting machine has sorting outlets in which mailpieces are accumulated, said sorting outlets being disposed in line along a certain longitudinal axis. It further includes a recirculation device for recirculating the mailpieces stored in the sorting outlets, this device comprising a belt (40) mounted to move along the sorting outlets and to which cleats (41, 42) are fastened to define a succession of compartments (4a, 4b, 4c) that face respective ones of the sorting outlets, each compartment being arranged to store, on edge, mailpieces taken from a corresponding sorting outlet.

Abstract: A living animals conveying device for sorting animals with respect to a characteristic such as color, size, gender, or weight. In the case of chicks, an embodiment of the invention includes a section for conveying chicks with chicks positioned in buckets with their wings spread out, and an automatic chicks sexing system. A first endless bucket conveyor comprising pre-positioning buckets able to individually receive and transport a living animal, is oriented with respect to a second endless bucket conveyor, comprising sorting buckets able to individually receive and transport a living animal, the first conveyor and the second conveyor being arranged in such a way that each pre-positioned living animal in a pre-positioning bucket falls from the pre-positioning bucket into a sorting bucket arranged below the pre-positioning bucket.

Abstract: A harvester includes a conveyor having molded conveyor buckets. The conveyor includes a continuous first chain and a continuous second chain extending parallel to the first chain. Parallel spaced apart rods extend between the chains. Each bucket includes a front wall, a rear wall higher than the front wall, opposed sides connecting the front wall and the rear wall and a bottom portion connecting the front wall, the rear wall and the opposed sides. The front wall includes a mounting portion configured to extend over a rear wall of an adjacent bucket and one of the rods when assembled in a conveyor. The mounting portion is a lip in a first embodiment, an insert in a second embodiment and an upper portion of the front wall folded over in a third embodiment.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the tension of a continuous endless drive elongate member (13) mounted to be moved over a closed-loop path and having a slack run along which it forms undulations, said method consisting in placing a sensor (23) along said slack run for detecting undulations going past in the slack run, and in counting the number of undulations detected, said number serving as a magnitude for measuring the tension of the drive member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for removing objects (1) which are advanced on a conveyor (2). The apparatus comprises a part of the conveyor (2) on which the objects (1) are advanced and supports (12) for the objects (1) removed from the conveyor (2). The apparatus also includes a pivotal cradle (13) which is placed over the conveyor (2). The pivotal cradle (13) has two through flow channels (8) each with an inlet (5) and an outlet (6). The pivotal cradle (13) is also provided with a stop (9) pivotal between the outlets (6) of the two through flow channels (8).

Abstract: A material classifier for classifying a liquid-solid mixture containing solid material to be separated. The material classifier includes a tank and an angularly mounted scoop wheel for scooping solid material which has settled on the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus including a conveying member defining a loop that may be used for transferring a product into a container. The conveying member can be a belt, a chain, or plurality of hinged plates. The invention also includes first and second supporting members individually disposed at opposite sides of the loop and spaced a first distance apart from one another. The first and second supporting members support rotating movement of the conveying member. The invention also includes a moving device operable to translate the first and second supporting members concurrently along a path having at least one bend. The lengths of the portions of the conveying member disposed on opposite sides of the bend can be adjusted by the moving device.

Abstract: Apparatuses for article handling, comprising one or more of a) an article-moving conveyor belt (1) designed to move along an underlying plate (55) which has a ridge portion (56), so that a substantial part of each article (21) will lie on one side or the other of the highest point of the conveyor belt; b) a lifting apparatus (4) for moving articles, e.g., PET bottles, from an in-feed point to discharge point located above the in-feed point, with the aid of a continuous row of movable article-carrying baskets (26-36) spaced apart along the length of driving belts or drive chains; and c) an article sorting apparatus (6) that is conveyed on a continuously moving conveyor belt (22) and includes a gate (15) that is designed to be able to move an article (21) away from the conveyor belt (22) sideways, and which in the neutral position of the gate (15) is designed to allow the article (21) to move past the gate (15) unaffected thereby.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a conveying device with an endless conveyor belt, which has catches extending essentially transverse to the conveying direction. In order to further develop a previously known conveying device so that small bulk articles, which tend to stick, are reliably removed from the conveying device at an end point of the conveying device, which cannot be reached satisfactorily with the known devices for stripping, it is proposed that the catches be deepened trough-like or elevated ridge-like modifications of the conveying surface in comparison with the conveying plane, and that the catches can be completely swept by means of at least one stripper lying elastically against the conveying surface.

Abstract: A conveyor system for delivering items between a processing station and a remote delivery station includes a pair of flexible drive members and a pair of spaced apart drive guides each positioned to define a path of travel for one of the drive members between the stations. A carrier member having an item receiving portion and upper and lower ends is attached to both of the flexible drive members adjacent one of its upper or lower ends for reciprocation between the stations along the guides. A third flexible stabilization drive member and a corresponding stabilization guide is positioned to define a third path for the stabilization drive member. The carrier member is attached to the stabilization drive member adjacent to the other of its upper or lower ends. The active stabilization guide member provides for more uniform and stable translation of the carrier member between the stations.

Abstract: A bucket elevator for use in grape harvesting which has buckets in sequential alignment which are each attached to a bucket elevator chain so that the orientation of each bucket will remain that of the chain to which it is attached. There are disclosures of shapes of buckets to facilitate collection, emptying and carrying materials and to avoid allowing spaces between the buckets which will ensnare with materials being carried.

Abstract: A tower-like transfer device includes a cylindrical tower post having an upper post portion and a lower post portion constituted by connecting post constituent members of one kind or two kinds or more, a lift installed liftably to the tower post, an upper post lift for lifting the upper post portion, an integration device for integrating the post constituent member between the upper post portion disconnected from the lower post portion and the lower post portion and holding the upper post portion disconnected from the lower post portion in removing the post constituent member at an upper end of the lower post portion and a transfer lift installed liftably to the tower post.

Abstract: A pocket belt conveyor is indicated which comprises an endless traction member (1) guided around drive pulleys (2), deviator pulleys (4), and deflection pulleys (6) and including at least two spaced apart supporting belts (8, 10) having between them a plurality of mutually spaced transverse members (12) secured at their ends on the supporting belts (8, 10). Pockets (48) are suspended between the transverse members (12), they each comprise a bottom wall (24) made of rubber or a rubber-like material. Each transverse member (12) has a planar fastening face (21) which serves for attachment of the bottom wall (24) and extends at an angle with respect to the plane of the supporting belt. This predetermined oblique arrangement of the pockets (48) makes sure that bulk material will be received and discharged properly.

Abstract: Lifting device with a higher speed in the downward movement area than in the upward movement area, equipped with a driving motor with brake, a gear and a load pick-up system, which runs on an oval or circular or loop-shaped race via a lower and an upper reversion device and which takes up the load in the lower area and delivers it in the upper area. A driving motor is used whose characteristic of torque versus rotation runs relatively flat and whose number of rotations in the downward movement area is in the ratio of at least 1.5:1 compared to the number of rotations in the upward movement area.

Abstract: A material handling device for transferring a formed good from an injection molding machine includes a pair of spaced tracks. Inner ends of the tracks are positioned below a mold carried by the machine with the track positioned transversely to opening and closing movement of the mold by the machine. On the track is a slidable basket which may be moved from the track inner end to an outer end away from the machine. Basket movement may be effected by activation of a pneumatic drive formed as part of the track and attached to the basket. During forming of a good, the basket is moved under the mold. When forming is complete, the mold opens and the good ejected. The good falls into the basket which has a cushion-like surface to inhibit damage. Opening of the mold starts a first timing period which lapses to activate the pneumatic drive to move the basket and good to the track outer end for good removal. During this first timing period the mold closes to begin a next forming cycle.

Abstract: In a bucket elevator having two traction members guided in parallel loops by upper and lower guide wheels, and buckets spacedly mounted between the traction members, the rim of at least one of the upper guide wheels defines a free space about its axis of rotation, and one or more rollers mounted on the supporting structure in the free space engage the rim for supporting and/or driving the wheel so that the material discharged from the buckets during travel over the upper guide wheels can be conveyed further by a chute extending axially through the one upper guide wheel.

Abstract: The buckets used for producing hoist conveyor devices according to the invention comprise at their upper and lower edges reinforcing means for the purpose of improving the rigidity of the wall of said buckets, which walls include laterally a greater convergence so as to prevent the largest passage for the lateral feeding between the walls of the upper bucket and the leading edge of the following bucket. For the purpose of modifying the positioning pitch according to the nature of the substance to be carried, the rear surface of the bucket becoming supported on the conveyor belt includes at its upper edge a bevel shoulder whose cutout is of a size to circumscribe the contour of the lower part of the bucket placed immediately above.

Abstract: A device for holding flatware which flatware is cleaned in a commercial warewashing machine is disclosed. The device is secured to a conventional dolly. A drive wheel on the device engages the conveyor pan. As the dolly moves, the drive wheel oscillates a frame about a fixed axis. The frame carries the baskets which loosely hold the flatware. As the dolly moves the flatware is tossed to and fro eliminating nesting to ensure all surfaces are contacted by the wash water.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and displaying articles for sale on transverse article supporting members pivotally fastened to a pair of endless movable chains mounted on two uprights so that they swing freely on the moving chains. Each chain has an upwardly and a downwardly moving course and the ends of the transverse swinging members are fastened to the same course of each chain for movement therewith. The articles are supported on the transverse swinging members, the capacity and congestion being variable by changing the number of traverse members. An electric motor may be the power source for driving the chains and a control button may operate the motor for moving the chains selectively up or down, and for stopping them.

Abstract: A bucket dredger has a bucket chain guided over a rocker, the buckets being pivotally interconnected by links of a length shorter than the length of the frame member of the buckets. Each link has an elongated opening with rounded ends in which the pivot pins of the chain are received, the pins associated with each link being pressed apart by rotation of a threaded spindle relative to a threaded socket. The bucket frames have lubricating channels surrounding the pins and sealed against the links.