Abstract: A conveyor roller for motorized conveyors including a lateral friction torque limiting mechanism to drive a roller tube via a rotation driving element. The torque limiting mechanism includes a first friction surface associated with the roller tube and a second friction surface associated with the drive element. The second friction surface is made of a magnetic material. The first and second friction surfaces are applied one against the other through a magnetic field generated by permanent magnets. When the force required to rotate the roller tube is higher than the frictional force between the first and second friction surfaces, slippage will occur between the first and second friction surfaces, stopping the rotation of the roller. The drive element includes ventilation channels to thereby cool the friction surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided a carrier puck for movement on a conveying circuit comprising at least one conveyor having lateral guides including at least two vertically spaced and distinct lateral guide plates adapted to slidably engage a distinct portions of said carrier puck to temporarily prevent rotation of said carrier puck while advancing on said conveying circuit. The carrier puck preferably comprises a rounded main body suitable for bulk conveying. Preferably, the carrier puck is manufactured by injection molding of separate parts, later assembled.

Abstract: A low pressure accumulation table for accumulating products is described herein. The accumulation table includes an inlet, an outlet, at least one feed conveyor and at least two accumulation conveyors. The feed and accumulation conveyors define an accumulation surface. The feed conveyor and the two accumulation conveyors are so mounted side by side that the feed conveyor alternate with the two accumulation conveyors. The two accumulation conveyors, when energized, convey the products from the accumulation surface towards the outlet at a rate which is a function of the conveying speed of the two accumulation conveyors.

Abstract: An automated method of manufacturing an air conveyor panel. The panel includes an array of holes used as air nozzles. The method generally includes the steps of mapping with a computer the desired location, shape and axial orientation of cavities to be machined in the panel, sequentially directing a laser beam at each desired location of cavities also with the computer; sequentially laser ablation drilling cavities by photothermally vaporizing a portion of the panel at each desired location. A major portion of the cavities consists of holes piercing the panel for use as air nozzles. The laser beam has an intensity sufficient to photothermally vaporize a portion of the panel at each desired location. In a preferred embodiment, the panel is constructed of steel and has a thickness of about 0.1 to 1.2 cm while the nozzles have a diameter of 3/4 mm to 2 mm.