Abstract: A clamping mechanism for an articulated stabilizer arm includes a body for supporting an articulated stabilizer arm. The body has a bore with a longitudinal axis, and a planar face parallel to the axis of the bore has a clamping surface. The clamping mechanism further includes a clamping plate movable relative to the body, the clamping plate having a planar face with a clamping surface facing the clamping surface of the body. The clamping plate further includes a control post extending from the planar face of the clamping plate inwardly of the circumference of the clamping plate, and configured to move the clamping plate through a range of positions from adjacent to the body and spaced from the body.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a synchronization unit having a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the first conveyor belt, an inlet end and an outlet end. The system further comprises a joint shuttle disposed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt, each of the first and second conveyor belts having a variable length while the distance between the inlet end and the outlet end is fixed. A discharge conveyor belt is disposed upstream the inlet end and is operating at a first velocity (VD). At a time T1, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T1) is equal to the velocity of the discharge conveyor belt (VD) and, at a time T2, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T2) is equal to the velocity of the second conveyor belt (Vm), without relative movement between the conveyor belts and objects conveyed thereon.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a synchronization unit having a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the first conveyor belt, an inlet end and an outlet end. The system further comprises a joint shuttle disposed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt, each of the first and second conveyor belts having a variable length while the distance between the inlet end and the outlet end is fixed. A discharge conveyor belt is disposed upstream the inlet end and is operating at a first velocity (VD). At a time T1, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T1) is equal to the velocity of the discharge conveyor belt (VD) and, at a time T2, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T2) is equal to the velocity of the second conveyor belt (Vm), without relative movement between the conveyor belts and objects conveyed thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping a folio ream. The method comprises pre-creasing a wrap sheet and driving the ream into the wrap sheet toward a fold position. A bubble of wrap is formed in the wrap sheet, which is cut while the ream advances, such that a lower flap of the wrap sheet extends beyond the rear edge of the ream. An upper flap fold is formed on the rear edge of the ream, and glue is applied to the lower flap as it is held flat via a vacuum. The lower flap of the wrap sheet is then folded in an upward direction, while the vacuum simultaneously applies a force to an opposite side of the lower flap to keep it flat during folding. The ream is reversed to compress the glue between the lower and upper flaps, forming a rear edge seam on the folio ream.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a synchronization unit having a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the first conveyor belt, an inlet end and an outlet end. The system further comprises a joint shuttle disposed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt, each of the first and second conveyor belts having a variable length while the distance between the inlet end and the outlet end is fixed. A discharge conveyor belt is disposed upstream the inlet end and is operating at a first velocity (VD). At a time T1, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T1) is equal to the velocity of the discharge conveyor belt (VD) and, at a time T2, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T2) is equal to the velocity of the second conveyor belt (Vm), without relative movement between the conveyor belts and objects conveyed thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wrapping a folio ream. The method comprises pre-creasing a wrap sheet and driving the ream into the wrap sheet toward a fold position. A bubble of wrap is formed in the wrap sheet, which is cut while the ream advances, such that a lower flap of the wrap sheet extends beyond the rear edge of the ream. An upper flap fold is formed on the rear edge of the ream, and glue is applied to the lower flap as it is held flat via a vacuum. The lower flap of the wrap sheet is then folded in an upward direction, while the vacuum simultaneously applies a force to an opposite side of the lower flap to keep it flat during folding. The ream is reversed to compress the glue between the lower and upper flaps, forming a rear edge seam on the folio ream.

Abstract: A wheel assembly having a braking mechanism that is actuated by centrifugal force. The braking mechanism includes a rotating hub insert having a first pocket, a thread guard having a second pocket fixed relative to the frame of the wheel assembly, and an internal ball between the rotating hub insert and the thread guard. The internal ball can be flung by centrifugal force from the first rotating pocket to the second fixed pocket to cause a braking force from contact of the ball in the second pocket with the rotating hub insert. The amount of centrifugal force required to fling the ball into the second pocket can be calculated for rotation of the wheel greater than a certain predetermined speed.

Abstract: Folio reams are draped into discrete panels of paper or other wrapping material while in continuous motion along a horizontal path. The panels are fed from below so that the front, lateral and rear portions of each panel extend beyond the respective sides of the corresponding ream. The rear portions of successive panels are folded upwardly against the rear sides and thereupon forwardly against the top sides of the respective reams. The front portions of the panels are provided with films of adhesive and are folded upwardly against the front sides and thereupon rearwardly against the top sides of the respective reams so that their leaders overlie and are adhesively secured to the folded rear portions. The folding of front and rear portions is preceded by squaring of the reams and is followed by tucking and folding of front, rear and lateral portions of successive panels against the adjacent lateral sides of the respective reams.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a containment unit for use with a fill pipe of an underground storage tank. More specifically, the containment unit is constructed to collect any spilled fule in the filling process of the underground storage tank. The containment unit is provided with a floor having a coupling for connection to the fill pipe of the storage tank. The inner wall of the unit is of the bellows type to permit vertical expansion and retraction as required due to changing temperatures. Additionally, the floor of the containment unit is equipped with a removably inspection plug which permits ready access to the soil to take samples thereof thereby eliminating the need for disassembly of the containment unit to accomplish the testing.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for wrapping articles, in particular for wrapping reams of paper in a sheet of wrapping material such as paper or the like.

Abstract: Successive stacks of wrapped reams of paper sheets are delivered onto first cardboard blanks on top of a first platform which is then maintained in raised position. The platform thereupon descends and the front and rear sidewalls of the blank are simultaneously pivoted against the respective sides of the descending stack before the latter leaves the first platform and continuously advances along a first horizontal path wherein the conversion of the first blank continues so that such blank ultimately constitutes a case surrounding the bottom and the sides of the respective stack. The stack is then lifted by a second platform and a second blank is placed on top of the ascending stack or even ahead of the second platform.

Abstract: Successive stacks of wrapped reams of paper sheets are delivered onto first cardboard blanks on top of a first platform which is then maintained in raised position. The platform thereupon descends and the front and rear sidewalls of the blank are simultaneously pivoted against the respective sides of the descending stack before the latter leaves the first platform and continuously advances along a first horizontal path wherein the conversion of the first blank continues so that such blank ultimately constitutes a case surrounding the bottom and the sides of the respective stack. The stack is then lifted by a second platform and a second blank is placed on top of the ascending stack or even ahead of the second platform.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for accumulating reams of paper sheets into stacks. A file of reams is fed by the upper reach of a belt conveyor which is flanked by a shifting arm and an elevator platform. The arm is caused to move transversely of the conveyor and the delivery of succeeding reams can continue without awaiting retraction of the shifting mechanism. The reams are accumulated in the stacking region on an elevator mechanism and are raised by the elevator mechanism to a delivery position above the receiving position after a desired number of reams have been accumulated on the elevator mechanism. The accumulated reams are removed from the elevator mechanism at the delivery position and the elevator mechanism is lowered back to the receiving position after the accumulated reams have been removed, without awaiting retraction of the removing mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for packaging large stacks of sheet material such as reams (10) of folio-sized paper. The reams are positioned on a precut bottom carton blank (24) and conveyed to a folding station (110). A top carton blank (50) is then positioned on the upper surface of the ream. Then peripheral flaps (34, 36, 42, 44, 46, 48) on the bottom carton blank are folded upward adjacent the sides of the ream. The preglued side flaps (58, 60) and end flaps (70, 72) of the top carton blank are folded downward into contact with the flaps of the bottom carton blank. All folding operations are performed as the ream moves along an essentially straight path through the apparatus, thus providing a compact packaging system.

Abstract: A combined transfer table and article indexing apparatus comprises means for receiving and separating articles from an infeed conveyor and means for transferring the separated articles to an outfeed conveyor, in synchronous relation to movement of the outfeed conveyor. Means for automatically aligning the edges of stacked articles conveyed as a group, such as reams of paper, are also provided.

Abstract: A package labeling and inspecting apparatus is disclosed which includes a first conveyor table having an apparatus mounted adjacent to the conveyor for applying labels to wrapped packages as they move along the first conveyor table. Provision is made for generating a control signal when a label fails to be applied to a package or is improperly applied. In response to the control signal, a reject conveyor is actuated to remove the defectively labeled package from the conveyor apparatus. Apparatus is also provided for inspecting the condition of the wrapping on the package to determine whether the package has been properly wrapped and, if necessary, to reject any defective packages from the conveying apparatus. The device according to the invention operates automatically to convey, label, inspect and assort wrapped packages.