Abstract: A gravity feed storage rack includes two different types of roller strips. Heavy duty roller strips are located in the back to absorb the impact of products being dropped on the back of the rack. Regular duty roller strips extend to the front of the rack so that products can roll forward to the front of the rack. The heavy duty roller strips may lie behind the regular roller strips or may lie between the regular roller strips in the rear portion of the rack.

Abstract: A push-back rack with product support surfaces which are strung together and which move relative to the rack structure. In one embodiment, support surfaces include wheels or rollers, which roll on the rack frame. The support surfaces are connected together by flexible members. In another embodiment, the support surfaces are links of a chain and are connected together by pin and eye connections, and support rollers are provided on the rack rather than on the support surfaces.

Abstract: A sorter uses pushers to push products over angled idler wheels in order to sort the products off of the main conveyor path.

Abstract: A modular conveyor system includes modular conveyor units and modular transfer units, which are driven by the driveshafts from adjacent modules. The transfer units include a first driveshaft segment extending below the conveyor frame and first and second multi-direction wheels mounted on the shaft segment such that when the first driveshaft segment rotates, it drives the first wheel in a forward direction and the second wheel in a backward direction, the wheels being independently shiftable relative to the top surface of the conveyor frame so as to either convey a product or not convey a product.

Abstract: The rollers of a live roller conveyor are driven by drive wheels, which are driven from a driveshaft extending along the conveyor. When the drive wheels and their respective conveyor rollers are in contact with each other, the drive wheels cause the conveyor rollers to rotate. When the drive wheels and conveyor rollers are out of contact, the rollers are not driven and can accumulate product. Relative motion between the drive wheels and the conveyor rollers causes the drive to be engaged and disengaged.

Abstract: A conveyor has a drive wheel which is driven from a driveshaft and which moves into and out of driving engagement. In the preferred embodiment, there is a drive gear mounted on the drive shaft, and the drive gear drives a drive wheel, which is mounted on a drive wheel mounting frame that pivots about the axis of the drive shaft, so that the drive wheel is constantly driven from the driveshaft and pivots into and out of driving engagement with the conveyor roller.

Abstract: A conveyor transfer unit includes conveyor rollers driven by a drive shaft and transfer belts which are selectively driven to the left and to the right at right angles to the conveyor rollers.

Abstract: A pallet rack has carts which can nest and un-nest while running on the same sets of rails.

Abstract: A rack includes a shelf in which the means for connecting the shelf members together and for locking the shelf members together are integral with the shelf members.

Abstract: A control arrangement for an accumulating conveyor having a plurality of zones includes an electrically-powered sensor in each zone, and a logic circuit associated with each sensor, each logic circuit comprising a first input, a second input from the sensor of its zone, a first output which sends a signal to the activator for that zone, and a second output to send a signal to the input for the next zone.

Abstract: A conveyor designed for high speed operations includes a drive shaft, a first friction wheel having a beveled end and mounted on the drive shaft, a second friction wheel mounted on the conveyor frame and having a beveled end which mates with the beveled end of the first friction wheel, and a drive wheel mounted on the same shaft as the second friction wheel, wherein the drive wheel contacts at least one of the conveyor rollers.

Abstract: A lineshaft-driven accumulation conveyor includes a plurality of intermediate shafts which run parallel to the drive shaft and are independently driven from the drive shaft, each of the intermediate shafts driving a zone of conveyor rollers.

Abstract: A portable system provides a high-strength joint between two portions of radiant energy transmitting thermoplastic strap having an opaque radiant energy absorbing area on one surface thereof, wherein the strap portions are overlapped so that the opaque area is at the interface therebetween. The overlapped strap portions are clamped at spaced-apart locations so that at least one strap portion is fixed. An arcuate anvil is then moved against the strap portions between the clamp locations for urging the strap portions together and deflecting them, thereby placing the fixed strap portion under tension. Infrared energy is directed through a free, uncontacted, outer surface area of the tensioned strap portion and onto the opaque area for melting the adjacent strap surfaces to form a joint. The clamps and anvil are manually operated. A manually operable cutter is provided for severing the tensioned strap portion from its supply after formation of the joint.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor is driven by a single, long drive shaft and a plurality of clutch shafts driven off of the drive shaft.

Abstract: In a system for electrochemical machining of a workpiece in the form of a flat plate or sheet, the workpiece is supported on a flat first electrode, which is in turn supported on a relatively massive rigid support platform. A second electrode, having a working face defining an area substantially smaller than the area of the workpiece, is supported by a relatively massive framework a slight distance from a working surface of the workpiece in facing relationship therewith to define a working gap therebetween. Electrolyte fluid is introduced under superatmospheric pressure into the working gap through a passage in the second electrode and an opening in the working face thereof. Relative movement is effected between the second electrode and the workpiece longitudinally thereof while an electrical potential is applied across the electrodes to establish current flow between the workpiece and the second electrode for removing material from the former.

Abstract: A transport table reciprocates between a collator, at which it receives a stack of loose sheets, and a stapling head for stapling the sheets together. Cam followers on the table engage cam surfaces during the reciprocating table movement to cause jogging movements of end and side retaining means to jog the loose sheets into a neat stack. The stack is delivered into a gap between the stapling head and an anvil, and the stapling head moves through a first half cycle, forming a staple and clamping the stack. A gate on the transport table lifts to free the stack while the table retracts, and then the stapling head drives the staple through the stack. The gate lowers when the transport table returns to its original position.

Abstract: A portable system provides a high-strength joint between two portions of radiant energy transmitting thermoplastic strap having an opaque radiant energy absorbing area on one surface thereof wherein the strap portions are overlapped so that the opaque area is at the interface therebetween. The overlapped strap portions are urged together by being tensioned over an arcuate guide surface. Infrared energy is directed through a free uncontacted outer surface area of one of the strap portions and onto the opaque area for melting the adjacent strap surfaces to form a joint.

Abstract: In an electrochemical machining system a continuous web metal is moved through a working region around a conductive roller in electrical contact therewith. Part-cylindrical cathodes are disposed coaxially with the roller a slight distance radially therefrom to define a working gap between the cathodes and the web. The positive and negative terminals of a DC source are respectively connected to the roller and the cathodes and an electrolyte fluid is injected under pressure through bores in the cathodes into the working gap and removed therefrom through other bores in the cathodes or establish a current flow between the web and the cathode for removing material from the former. Retainers confine the electrolyte emitting laterally from the working gap, and electrolyte falling vertically therefrom is collected in a basin. The speed of movement of the web around the roller may be varied as a function of the thickness of the machined web.