Abstract: Apparatus for conveying a paper web or other sheet material pneumatically along a predetermined path comprises two guide plates 20, 22 having outer surfaces defining successive parts of the path and having adjacent edges which are inclined to the outer surfaces and are spaced apart so as to form a slot 28 inclined to the outer surfaces of the plates, and including an air pressure manifold 26 which is secured to both guide plates and from which an air stream is arranged to be emitted through the slot to produce an air stream which will move along one of the plates 22 which is downstream of the other plate with respect to the intended direction of conveyance of the web or other sheet material. When applied to a cigarette making machine, apparatus of this general type may be used at various positions for feeding the paper web through the printer, and also to feed the web automatically all the way into the garniture 12.

Abstract: An air tunnel track interface attaches to a can testing apparatus for receiving cans from the output of the can testing apparatus and transferring them to a conveyor system. The air tunnel track interface comprises two parallel substantially U-shaped tracks each having an air chamber, a plurality of air louver jets and diverging ends, and a pair of parallel discharge plates each having diverging cutouts for mating with the diverging ends of the U-shaped tracks.

Abstract: A damperless, controlled speed, coverless, isometric air conveyor and method for conveying lightweight containers en masse or individually at a controlled speed includes a first set of louvers extending through a conveyor surface from a common plenum at an incline to a conveying surface so that the air passing through the louvers has a downstream force vector of a first magnitude. A second set of louvers extend through the conveyor surface from the common plenum at an incline to the conveyor surface so that the air passing through the louvers has an upstream force vector of a second magnitude which is less than the first magnitude thereby creating a vector force differential in the downstream direction at any given location under the bottom of each container to cause movement of the containers in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A new and improved multi position bottle guide assembly for bottles suspended by a neck ring and conveyed by pneumatic power. The bottle guide assembly includes a pair of elongated guide rails positioned along the path of travel of a bottle which is pneumatically conveyed while supported by a neck ring. The rails are adapted to be in proximity to the sides of the bottle on opposite sides of its path of travel to preclude lateral movement. Further included are support mechanisms for the rails located at the ends of the rails. Also included are a plurality of rods for supporting the rails. Each rod has coupling mechanisms for the support mechanism at a first end and a piston at the second end. A block for each rod has a bore of a diameter essentially that of the diameter of its piston and extends through the block with its axis in alignment with the axis of the rod.

Abstract: A bottle conveyor has a neck guide formed from opposed lips which are sufficiently thin to be used with bottles having extremely small neck rings and/or extremely short necks and which permit air to be directed onto the bottles from plenum slots positioned directly beneath the neck ring. The lips of the neck guide are preferably formed from a relatively hard, strong, low friction resinous plastic rather than conventional UHMW plastic or metallic lips. The high plenum slots and low friction lip material combine in operation to eliminate the need for a second plenum and thus substantially reduce floor space required by the conveyor as well as the amount of air required for conveyance. The air flowing against the necks of the bottles also provides substantial lift onto the bottles, thus reducing drag and thereby reducing further the amount of air required for conveyance.

Abstract: An improved air conveyor for conveying a plurality of articles such as cans in an upright orientation between stations in a multi-step process includes an elongate deck having a plurality of openings for directing air upwardly and in a direction in which articles are to be conveyed and guides mounted to opposite lateral sides of the deck for maintaining articles upon the deck while being conveyed thereover. A top cover assembly includes at least one perforated panel vertically spaced above the deck and extending over an area substantially similar to the area defined by the deck. A plurality of cover panels overlie the perforated panel. Retaining structures maintain the cover panels substantially in place laterally while permitting movement thereof toward and away from the perforated panel for regulating air flow through portions of the perforated panel in response to variations in air pressure beneath the perforated panel.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that utilizes a fluid (normally air) to effect nested alignment of articles such as cans to be used to package beverages and the like. A conveying section provides articles in a mass flow to an aligning section having spaced guides therein forming guideways through which articles are fluid driven downstream toward a staging section. The guides have a first portion extending parallel to the direction of intended article flow through the device and all guides except center guides have a second portion that extends downstream from the first portion at an angle with respect to the first portion to effect alignment of the articles in nested relationship at the staging section. Different groups of guides of the first portion extend upstream different distances to facilitate passage of articles into the guideways, and an embodiment is disclosed that is particularly useful in aligning undecorated cans.

Abstract: A conveying system is disclosed for conveying unstable articles having a neck ring. Unstable articles, such as plastic bottles having a neck ring, or flange, are conveyed in single file along plural paths each of which is established by dual guides vertically spaced from one another a distance just sufficient to receive the neck rings of the articles therebetween, with the articles being urged in the downstream direction along each path by air acting solely on the top portion of the articles above the neck rings.

Abstract: Device for guiding a sheet having a leading edge which follows an imaginary conducting surface along a sheet-transport direction perpendicular to the leading edge, the sheet-guiding device being formed with a sheet-guiding surface spaced from the imaginary conducting surface, and having equipment for generating a plurality of air jets for applying an air flow to the sheet between a surface of the sheet and the sheet-guiding surface, the generating equipment being formed of respective flow channels for the air jets disposed at an angle to and merging with the sheet-guiding surface, includes an integral guide plate having a surface constituting a predominant part of the sheet-guiding surface, the integral guide plate being formed with perforations, the air-jet generating equipment being formed of blast-air nozzles having blast-air nozzle end faces constituting a remaining part of the sheet-guiding surface complementing the predominant part of the sheet-guiding surface to form the entire sheet-guiding surface, t

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor apparatus for conveying articles, such as empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles, includes first and second air ducts for supplying pneumatic pressure to move the articles along a predetermined path. The first and second air ducts each have a plurality of vents which direct the flow of air on the articles to move the articles along the path and to exert a lifting force on the articles as the articles are moved downstream. Guide plates extend along both sides of the predetermined path for supporting the articles in a generally upright position as the articles are moved along the path. The first and second air ducts each have a plurality of deflectors mounted therewith, which extend from the respective first and second air ducts into the predetermined path. The deflectors direct air flow upwardly and inwardly, thereby enhancing the pneumatic force urging the articles downstream.

Abstract: A controlled speed single file conveyor conveys upright cylindrical articles in single file along a deck plate-from an upstream location to a downstream location. A plurality of rows of louvers extend through the deck plate which are generally parallel to one of the side edges. The louvers are at a very shallow angle and some of them are angled so that air discharged therethrough has a force vector component toward the inboard side edge and a force vector in the downstream direction. A vertical wall, above the deck plate and parallel to an inboard edge, is vertically adjustable above the upper surface of the deck plate to control the exhausting of air. The shallow angle of the louvers causes a portion of the air to flow along the deck and under the articles at sufficient speed to the articles toward the deck to hold them in upright position. A second portion of the air travels above the deck to create a mass air flow to move the articles along the deck in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A damperless, controlled speed, coverless, isometric air conveyor and method for controlling articles en masse or individually at a controlled speed is provided. A first set of louvers extend through the conveyor surface to a common plenum at an incline to the conveying surface so that the air passing through the louvers has downstream force vector of a first magnitude. A second set of louvers extend through the conveyor surface to a common plenum at an incline to the conveyor surface so that the air passing through the louvers has an upstream force vector of a second magnitude which is less than the first magnitude thereby creating a vector force differential in the downstream direction to cause movement of the articles in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A device comprising a flat susceptor (14) rotating parallel to a reference surface (30) about a rotary shaft (20) perpendicular to this surface and comprising means for obtaining the stability of the susceptor held in sustentation and means for obtaining its rotary movement, is characterized in that these means are constituted by the ferromagnetic elements (11) in the susceptor, of the rotary shaft, of the reference surface, of a magnetic actuating assembly (70), and of a gas inlet (40).

Abstract: An air conveyor is provided with a plenum chamber with a perforated deck plate, side walls, and a holddown with holes of an area density sufficiently low to pressurize an enclosed article transport zone. The side walls include brackets for mounting doors openable to remove damaged articles. The deck plate is mounted to support bars by countersunk rivets.

Abstract: A device air-flow transfers objects each having at least one substantially flat surface. The device consists of a plurality of modules. Each module includes a chamber receiving a tray assembly. The tray assembly has at least a bottom part. The chamber is formed with a least first and second compartments separated by a wall having an opening. At least two orifices are provided penetrating through the bottom part into the second compartment. At least two channels are formed penetrating through the bottom part to the first compartment. Each opening has a stopping member with at least one passage going therethrough. A fan having a blade is housed in the chamber, so that the blade faces the opening in the wall.

Abstract: A controlled speed single file conveyor selectively conveys a first set of upright cylindrical articles having a smaller diameter and a second set of upright cylindrical articles having a larger diameter in single file along a deck plate, having inboard and outboard edges, from an upstream location to a downstream location. A first set of a plurality of longitudinal, parallel rows of smaller inboard louvers and a second set of a plurality of longitudinal, parallel rows of larger outboard louvers extend through the deck plate at a shallow angle and are angled so that the air discharged therefrom has a force vector component toward the inboard side edge and a force vector component in the downstream direction.

Abstract: An air conveyor is provided with a plenum chamber with a perforated deck plate, side walls, and a holddown with holes of an area density sufficiently low to pressurize an enclosed article transport zone. On curved portions of the air conveyor the holddown holes have an area density gradient which increases from an outer toward an inner side of the curve. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for accumulating articles without undue damage and for moving articles away from the outer side of the curve.

Abstract: An air conveyor for plastic bottles conveys the bottles at generally constant speed. The bottles are of the type having annular rims around their necks and shoulders below the rims. The air conveyor includes a pair of spaced flanges and a plurality of nozzles for each flange. The flanges provide opposed inner edges which define a central slot extending elongately in the forward to rearward direction. Each flange supports a plurality of nozzles at spaced intervals in the forward to rearward direction for substantially the length of the slot. An air blower supplies pressurized air to the nozzles. Each nozzle discharges air in a stream along a diagonal direction that generally slopes downwardly, inwardly, and forwardly. In use, the flanges provide the neck rims with slidable support as the bottles are blown forwardly through the slot by the force of the air streams against the shoulders. Constant speed is gained through the direction of the air streams against bottle shoulders.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying articles along a path of travel, the articles being of the type having an upper portion for being supported by the apparatus, a lower portion for being suspended from the apparatus and a low-angle transition portion therebetween, the apparatus comprising in combination a conveyor defining a path of travel along its length with neck rails for receiving the upper portions of the article to be conveyed, a pressure source operatively coupled to the conveyor to move the received articles to be conveyed, and control brushes coupled with respect to the conveyor along at least a portion of the path of travel to contact the lower portions of the bottles while being moved for providing a rearwardly directed angle to the articles to thereby abate the forward and rearward swinging of the articles.

Abstract: A conveyor system for feeding containers along a path includes a pair of plenums located on opposite sides of the path. Each plenum has an inner wall which has apertures along the center thereof, with flanges extending from each wall to define chambers or guide channels that receive opposite ends of the container. The system further consists of rigid pneumatic conduits for delivering pressurized fluid from a centrifugal blower to the plenums. The pressurized fluid is introduced into the plenums and flows through the apertures to substantially suspend the containers in the chamber. The pneumatic conduits and the centrifugal blower are integrally associated with the dual plenums, thereby structurally enhancing the entire conveyor system.

Abstract: An air distribution plate for incorporation into a material conveyor or a material separator has a plurality of apertured zones alternately arranged along the length of the plate. The apertures in the first series of zones are inclined in the direction of the desired flow of material in the case of the conveyor and in the direction of the desired air flow in the case of the separator and the apertures in the second series of zones incline in the opposite direction by the same amount. Each zone in the second series of zones has fewer apertures than the zones of the first series of zones.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that utilizes a fluid (normally air) to effect nested alignment of articles having a circular cross-section (such as cans used to package beverages and the like). A conveying section that includes a dead plate and a fluid conveyor provides articles in a mass flow to an aligning section having guides therein spaced a sufficient distance to form guideways through which articles are fluid driven in single file toward a discharge end having an adjacently positioned staging section that also includes a fluid conveyor. The guides, other than a center guide, have first and second portions that are angled with respect to one another, and fluid injected into the sections through apertures in a base plate providing section bottoms urges the articles into a plurality of adjacent rows of aligned articles at the staging section with the articles of each adjacent row offset from one another to effect nesting of the articles.

Abstract: A pneumatic unit for supplying products, such as chocolates or similar, in a single line to a manufacturing machine along a route defined laterally by two walls and at the bottom by a plate through which are formed a number of nozzles for a pressurized pneumatic fluid; the nozzles being arranged in at least two rows symmetrical with the route; and each nozzle in each row being so designed as to emit a jet of pneumatic fluid, at least a first portion of which is directed in a traveling direction towards the manufacturing machine, and a second portion of which is directed transversely in relation to the traveling direction and towards the other row of nozzles.

Abstract: A pneumatic conveyor apparatus for conveying articles, such as empty aluminum cans and plastic bottles, includes first and second air ducts for supplying pneumatic pressure to move the articles along a predetermined path. The first and second air ducts are positionable on respective opposite sides of the path. The first air duct has a first plurality of vents in a laterally facing surface thereof and the second air duct has a second plurality of vents in a laterally facing surface thereof. The first and second plurality of vents cooperate to direct a flow of air on the articles to move the articles along the predetermined path and to exert a lifting force on the articles as the articles are moved downstream. In one embodiment, selected ones of the first and second plurality of vents are inclined at respective predetermined angles of inclination for exerting a lifting force on the articles as the articles are moved along the predetermined path.

Abstract: An air conveyor for articles having outwardly extending flanges. The air conveyor includes a plenum chamber having a base portion, walls extending from said base portion to form a conveying channel, flange guides mounted to said walls for supporting articles beneath their flanges, and apertures in the walls beneath the flange guides for directing air from the plenum chamber toward the articles beneath the flanges. A reduced friction flange guide which may be used with the air conveyor includes flange guides angled with respect to the flanges. A relatively quickly and easily adjustable article guide which may be used with the conveyor includes a pair of article guides movable between a first position for guiding articles having a first size and shape, and a second position.

Abstract: A semiconductor wafer handling apparatus and method for transferring a wafer, one of whose faces has been already polished, from a wafer holder, which holds the wafer with the wafer's polished face facing downward, to a wafer cassette submerged in water contained in a water tank; the apparatus includes a wafer receive assembly and a water tank and the wafer receive assembly has a flat surface and is adapted to swing between an up-facing position at which the flat surface faces upward and a down-facing position at which the flat surface faces downward, and the wafer receive assembly is provided with ejection nozzles which eject water with a force sufficient to keep the wafer floating, and the water tank contains a wafer cassette to receive the wafer, and is capable of forcing the wafer which is left to sink in the water to enter the wafer cassette; whereas the method comprises: dropping the wafer from the wafer holder with the polished face facing downward onto a thin water layer formed over the wafer receive

Abstract: An air conveyor moves light objects from one location to another and may also act as an accumulator for storing objects transported thereon. The conveyor has an elongated primary plenum and one or more elongated body members disposed over and in communication with the primary plenum through openings in the bottom wall of each body member. Each body member has a generally planar top deck disposed thereover. Each body member defines a secondary plenum between the top deck and the bottom wall of the body member. The top deck has a plurality of directional orifices formed therein. Blowers in communication with the primary plenum supply air to the secondary plenum through the primary plenum. The air from the secondary plenum is delivered through the directional orifices in the top deck and creates a current, or cushion, of air on which the objects move.

Abstract: The separation of thin disk-type workpieces from a stack has, as a rule, hitherto been carried out by hand. An apparatus and a corresponding method are now provided which make it possible to lift the wafer off the stack without mechanical contact, and also to convey the separated wafers to the tray and to introduce them in an automated way without damage. In this method, a stack of disk-type workpieces is introduced into a wafer magazine with a feed unit which brings the uppermost wafer of the wafer stack into the sphere of action of a fluid medium which emerges under pressure in a preferred direction from a nozzle system. A dam makes it possible to remove a single wafer. The apparatus and the method make possible separation without damage while increasing the yield. In conjunction with a conveying apparatus, an apparatus for tray filling processing lines can be built up for automatically treating disk-type workpieces without damage.

Abstract: A soft excavator (10, 90, 110, 130) is disclosed which utilizes a jet of high velocity fluid flow such as air or water flow, preferably supersonic, through a nozzle (48, 92, 112) to excavate a material, such as the ground. A second passage for air flow is provided which is directed by an evacuator skirt (52, 102) in a direction along the excavator generally opposite the direction of discharge of the high velocity excavating flow to entrain the material excavated for disposal.

Abstract: Non-contact air film conveyors are suited for conveying elongated strips (46) of web material such as photographic film and include a track plate (12) having gas flow apertures (20,24; 72,74) extending through its thickness at angles to the surface of the track plate (.alpha.,.alpha.') and to the direction of movement of the strips (.beta.,.beta.', .gamma.). By directing air flow through some apertures (72,74) counter to the direction of movement, speed and acceleration control is achieved independent of the support given to the strips by air flow through other apertures (20,24). Baffles (28-36) and curved side walls (70,96) direct air back onto the film to flatten it during movement.

Abstract: The present invention features a process and apparatus for fabricating ceramic substrates. The apparatus comprises an extruder of the ram or screw type for forcing the ceramic materials through a die to form a log. After leaving the extrusion die, the log enters a conveyor apparatus. The log is conveyed over, and supported upon, a gaseous fluid (air) bearing surface of the conveyor apparatus, until it reaches a dryer carrier. The conveyor apparatus features a support surface for carrying the ceramic materials. The support surface has a plurality of apertures through which the gaseous fluid (air) is directed for supporting the moving log. About the support surface is disposed a mantle for confining the gaseous fluid (air) about the rapidly drying ceramic log. The gaseous fluid (air) is maintained at a relative humidity of approximately between 85 to 97%, and preferably within an approximate range of between 90 and 95%.

Abstract: An air mover (14) for producing a stream of air along a guide surface (28,30) for conveying web or other sheet material along a path adjacent the surface is constructed in two parts (16,18) having mating surfaces (23,24) one of which includes a recess (22) which defines a slot (26) through which conveying and entraining air is delivered to the guide surface from an air pressure chamber (20) within the air mover.

Abstract: A suction table which, in a machine converting sheets into package, transfers the last, lowermost sheet of a batch to a subsequent processing station. The table is provided with numerous blowing and sucking nozzles and is fitted on a hollow frame movable with regard to a fixed distributory housing which provides sucking and blowing action. The housing comprises a distributory shaft and tubes movable with respect to the table and thereby sliding within corresponding guides formed in the frame. The shaft and tubes are provided with cooperating ducts which will allow the nozzles to suck or blow as required by the angular position of the distributory shaft and the position of the table.

Abstract: An air conveyor is provided for articles having outwardly extending flanges comprising a plenum chamber having a base portion, walls extending from said base portion to form a conveying channel, flange guides mounted to said walls for supporting articles beneath their flanges, and apertures in the walls beneath the flange guides for directing air from the plenum chamber toward the articles beneath the flanges.A reduced friction flange guide which may be used with the air conveyor is also provided and comprises flange guides angled with respect to the flanges.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly includes a conveying surface and at least one air manifold for directing air against the sidewall of the articles to be conveyed. The conveying surface includes longitudinally extending raised ribs along which the articles are moved and the air manifolds are connected directly to the source of air. Further, the conveyor assembly is attached directly to a die member and becomes an integral part thereof.

Abstract: An air conveyor is provided comprising a plenum chamber including a deck plate, a plurality of first apertures in the deck plate for directing air from the plenum chamber to convey articles, and a plurality of protuberances extending from the deck plate for receiving bottoms of the articles. The protuberances preferably protrude from the deck plate far enough to support the articles above accumulated slide resistance increasing material. The air conveyor deck plate preferably also includes a plurality of second apertures for directing air from the plenum chamber to aid in lifting the articles.

Abstract: In accordance with this invention, a method of transporting upright cylindrical articles is provided wherein the articles are fed from a mass at an upstream location into single file at a downstream location. The articles are fed in mass into the infeed of the deck of an air table. A lower air pressure zone is created on a first lateral portion of the deck plate between the upstream and downstream locations. A higher air pressure zone is created on a second lateral portion of the deck plate to cause the articles to move into single file in the first lateral portion. Velocity air pressure is used to move the single filed articles to a downstream location. The articles are held in single file with a directional mass volume of air. The pressure differential between the high and low pressure zones can be adjusted to vary the density of the articles at the infeed.

Abstract: A device in which the wafers are moved with the aid of aqueous media, is posed for the transportation of semiconductor wafers and also for use in processes for the cleaning thereof, the device including a guideplate having a bottom plate with nozzle systems which are differently inclined in each case and independent of one another and through which the transportation fluid is, if necessary, forced into the transportation space, as a result of which the wafer can be loaded, retarded, caused to rotate and unloaded again. The devices can be combined to form treatment lines, different fluids being used in each case in the individual sections thereof, so that no mechanically moving parts act on the wafers during retardation and rotation and that no change of reagents has to be carried out inside a treatment station.

Abstract: A device for floatably guiding webs or sheets of material to be conveyed by means of nozzles supplying blown air comprises a nozzle body having at least one nozzle aperture on which a jet of blowing air emerges, and a deflecting surface disposed countersunk in the nozzle body and inclined towards the outside of the nozzle body. The deflecting surface is part of the generated surface of a conical depression in the nozzle body, and a nozzle aperture is disposed eccentrically in the conical depression so that the direction of the blowing air jet is directed towards the deflecting surface at a blowing angle which is from less than 90.degree. to parallel with the deflecting surface.

Abstract: An improved runner for use with a SAILRAIL hydrostatic bearing levitation system is disclosed. The runner uses a substantially solid core having a degree of flexibility in a vertical plane, a thin pad of flexible, compliant material extending transversely around the core, and an outer flexible, compliant sheath enclosing the pad and the core. Flexibility is enhanced by a longitudinally extending slot cut into the core from the upper surface thereof. The side walls of the core are flat and straight and meet the lower convex surface of the core at a generally sharp longitudinal edge. Also the ends of the runner can angle upwardly to enhance the ability of the runner to traverse joints, gaps, or imperfections in the SAILRAIL rail. The runner can be secured to a deck member and provides specific advantages over prior art runners which had a larger profile, were more expensive and were not as efficient as the low profile runner of this invention.

Abstract: A workpiece support for supporting a disc-shaped workpiece in a vacuum chamber, comprises a support member with a support surface for carrying the workpiece. A plurality of bores extend from the support surface and through the support member. The bores communicate with a distribution chamber defined on a side of the support member which is opposite from the support surface. The distribution chamber is substantially co-extensive with the support surface and is connected to a gas feed line for supplying gas to the distribution chamber. The bores each have respective diameters which are substantially shorter than their respective lengths through the support member. In this way, gas supplied through the bores from the distribution chamber is distributed between the support surface and the workpiece as a heat transfer medium which is substantially independent from the gas flow at an inlet of each bore in the distribution chamber.

Abstract: An air bed conveying system conveys a workpiece while the workpiece is being floated by air under pressure which is ejected from a plurality of air ejection holes defined in air bed blocks that are supported on respective support blocks. Each of the support blocks is of an integral box-shaped configuration and made of a quartz material having a low thermal expansion coefficient. A plurality of vertical position adjusting mechanisms are disposed underneath each of the support blocks, for adjusting the support block in vertical position.

Abstract: A gas feed apparatus is described for the transport of articles between assembly line stations. A turbulent gas flow is generated which provides a balanced driving force for, in particular, lightweight, irregularly shaped articles, and thus reduces the incidence of inconsistent feeding and jamming. Incorporated into the apparatus are features for controlling both the number and the speed and stability of articles fed at any one time from the line to a station. In this way rapid and efficient transfer of articles between stations is ensured.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for transferring articles to and from an air conveyor. The device comprises a first plenum chamber, a second plenum chamber, and an air supply. The first plenum chamber has a transfer surface with a first plurality of perforations for directing air toward the air conveyor. The second plenum chamber is located at least above a portion of the air conveyor and has a plate with a second plurality of perforations for directing air away from the air conveyor. The air supply supplies air to the first plenum chamber to keep articles going down the air conveyor and to feed articles onto the air conveyor, and supplies air to the second plenum chamber to transfer articles off of the air conveyor.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a conveyor system wherein an article being transported on the conveyor system has its orientation changed from a vertical position at its point of entry to a horizontal position at its point of discharge. The orientation occurs through the use of air power jets which are appropriately located to assist in the re-orientation of the article being transported. The re-orientation occurs without any reduction in conveyor speed and in fact, results in a thirty-three to seventy-five percent increase in overall capacity. Additionally, the system is adjustable in that it can receive different sizes cans.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting plastic bottles which have a support collar near the opening. The bottles are suspended by the support collars on a guide track. Compressed air nozzle ducts are arranged on both sides of the bottles underneath the support collars. The air nozzle ducts have a nozzle surface in which at least one row of compressed air nozzles directed in the direction of movement of the bottles are arranged. At least one additional row of nozzles is provided whose effective direction of flow is obliquely and/or perpendicularly upwardly.

Abstract: A device for conveying cup-shaped objects, such as the bodies of two piece cans located between the bed of a mechanical press and a lower die shoe. A plenum is provided with a perforated upper deck surface for directionally expelling air which, together with an exhaust duct located upstream of the perforated upper deck surface, act to move the cup-shaped objects to a down-stream location for further processing.

Abstract: An air conveyor system is provided for transporting a stream of articles en masse along a channel from a generally upstream position in a generally downstream direction towards a generally downstream position. A conveyor surface has opposing edges with the channel therebetween and a plurality of air propulsion slots extending through the surface, these slots being directionally oriented to propel articles pneumatically on the surface in the downstream direction. A plenum is provided for connecting to a source of air under pressure and in communication with the slots. At least one guide member defines at least one boundary for the channel, by being mounted adjacent at least one of the opposing edges of the surface in alignment with the downstream direction to generally direct flow of articles in the downstream direction by impeding article movement across the member.

Abstract: An arrangement for the transport of goods in bulk, such as cereal grain, by air flowing through a perforated base plate. The arrangements are provided in areas of the base plate (1) adjacent to the perforations (7) to impart to the air flowing through at that point a movement component running along the base plate (1), where a minimum quantity of air is required in order to transport the desired quantity of goods in bulk. The perforations (7) consist of elongated slots running across the direction of flow, that is to say the direction of feed. The slots are laterally displaced in relation to the slots in front of and behind them in an unsymmetrical manner, such that they form diagonal rows (B:C), the angles (.alpha.:.beta.) of which to the direction of transport (A) are considerably smaller in one lateral direction than in the other, when measured from one of the slots.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for facilitating formation of moving cylindrical articles, such as thin walled cans, into single file. The apparatus includes a plurality of diverting arms within a single filing area formed between two plate members having apertures formed therein so that air expelled through the apertures causes movement of conveyed articles not then in single file toward a peripheral guide member and movement of articles then in single file adjacent to the guide member in a direction through the single lining area substantially parallel to the guide member.