Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing ions wherein an ion generator produces periodic pulses of electric energy of a single polarity for some applications and alternating positive and negative polarities for other applications. A plurality of the electric pulses are limited in amplitude by a substantially sinusoidal half-wave envelope and the positive and negative pulses are preferably of different amplitudes. The ground electrode is arranged about and upstream and downstream of the ionizing electrode to provide a highly effective electric field substantially normal to the gas flow. A heater heats the gas to increase ionization. An ultrasonic sound wave generator pulses the gas with sound waves prior to, during or after ionization of the gas to group the ions of a like charge in distinct pressure wave fronts or distinct areas so as to reduce recombination of ions thereby making more ions available per volume and also increasing the total energy of the ions produced.

Abstract: In a conveyor system having a flexible material-supporting belt made up of a plurality of sections connected end to end, there is provided a single, generally channel-shaped track for establishing a selected course of travel for the belt and an arrangement for moving the belt along the track inclusive of a pulling chain and a plurality of roller carriages on rollers affixed to the pulling chain at selected spaced intervals along the chain, the chain and rollers being entirely enclosed inside the track with the track providing entirely inside track surfaces for the rollers. Each roller carriage fastens to the belt and there may be provided a minimum spacing between roller carriages preferably one roller carriage per belt section with a roller carriage attached to each vertical chain link section placing a roller carriage at each pair of abutting ends of each belt section.

Abstract: In loading apparatus for conveying the articles from inside a warehouse or the like and stacking them in a transport car parked at a loading dock or the like in a continuous operation. The loading apparatus includes a main frame positioned a distance inside a warehouse doorway, an arrangement of upper and lower conveyors that move in and are guided by the frame to extend toward and back away from the transport car a selected distance and a discharge conveyor pivotally mounted on a wheeled vehicle. The discharge conveyor is movable from side to side and up and down and the wheeled vehicle moves toward and away from the frame to extend and retract the upper and lower conveyors and to position the discharge end of the discharge conveyor in the transport box in such a way as to stack the articles while they are being delivered in a continuous stream via said upper, lower and discharge conveyors.