Abstract: A device is described for laying-out a convolute web of material, in particular a web of textile material, coming from a bale of cloth, said device comprising a frame structure which is adapted to be moved longitudinally along a stationary support structure and on which, via suspension means, the bale of cloth is supported such that it is caused to rotate about its winding shaft in response to the longitudinal movement of said frame structure. The drive means of the bale of cloth is constructed such that slippage between said drive means and said bale of cloth--which would prevent rotation of said bale of cloth--is avoided and that, with the aid of very simple structural means, a wide range of use of the device equipped with said drive means is achieved. For this purpose, the drive means comprises a tight rope, which, via guide rolls adapted to be displaced together with the frame structure, is guided over part of the surface of the bale of cloth in a position of frictional engagement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor apparatus, particularly for intra-plant conveyance, comprising a conveyor rail system and a plurality of carrier units straddling the rail from below and resting thereon through rollers for travelling along at least one inclined conveyor stretch with the aid of a driven endless conveyor chain. On approaching the conveyor chain, coupling members on the carrier units come into engagement with the chain links. The invention improves the engagement of the coupling members to ensure reliable conveyance of the carrier units even after extended periods of operation of the conveyor apparatus. A tilting member is mounted between the arms of the carrier unit and is provided with projections at a mutual spacing adapted to the pitch of the chain in such a manner that as one of the projections enters a chain opening, so as to engage a chain link portion with its engagement face, a second projection has its bearing face engaged by a chain link portion between adjacent chain openings.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus particularly for intra-plant conveyance in the garment industry comprises conveyor tracks, carrier units travelling on the conveyor tracks and having each at least one stirrup member straddling a conveyor track from below and provided with rollers resting on the top surface of the track, and at least one drive unit for actively conveying the carrier units. The drive unit comprises a conveying bar actuatable to reciprocate along a track section and carrying a plurality of drive transmitting members for engagement with the carrier units. The drive transmitting members are mounted so that they are operative to convey in one working stroke direction, while being able to pass said carrier units without engagement therewith in the return stroke direction. The drive transmitting members are adjustable to reverse the conveying direction of the working stroke.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor system for a plant having at least two work stations has a conveyor rail loop for each station, a feeder rail for each loop, extending toward the loop from a terminal zone, and a return rail for each loop, extending from the loop to the terminal zone. A bypass rail segment extends from one of said loops to the other, with its ends spaced from the feeder and return rails for those loops. Shiftable rail devices allow goods either to traverse all of said one loop or, as a selectable alternative, to traverse only a part of said one loop and move along the bypass segment directly into the other loop. Other shiftable rail devices allow goods that have traversed said one loop to move either to its return rail or to the feeder rail for said other loop. Various shiftable rail devices are disclosed.