Abstract: A coverless air conveyor is provided for use with containers of varying heights. The conveyor has a jet board whose jets are substantially vertical with a slight downstream tilt and has sidewalls which form air dams to create a flowing body of air which envelopes and lifts the respective containers and moves them at a very precise speed, the speed being controlled by the small downstream vector of the air along the sidewalls of the containers. In one embodiment the sidewalls are tilted inwardly from bottom to top and air is provided in sufficient volume to vertically stabilize the containers as they move along the conveyor.

Abstract: The multiple rows of containers are brought into an alignment zone, arranged in nested relationship, merged into an equilateral triangular configuration with mutually touching side edges in a nesting section within the alignment zone and accelerated into a high pressure buffer section of the alignment zone where they are separated from each other and converged into single file. The buffer section eliminates the possibility of transmission of upstream forces through the single file apparatus due to engagement of the single file containers by downstream equipment. In one embodiment, the imperforate sidewalls in the buffer section slope downwardly away from an imperforate top cover to provide gradual relief of air pressure within the buffer section. In another embodiment, the imperforate sidewalls have an upper edge which is contiguous with a top cover which is in the form of a plenum having rows of jet openings positioned above the jet openings in the air table.

Abstract: A single file apparatus is provided for highly etched containers wherein a mass of containers is separated into two single file rows, the single file rows are merged into nesting relationship and the nested rows of containers separated and further merged into single file. The mass of containers are separated into separate rows along each side of an air conveyor having an imperforate cover forming a high pressure area between the rows. The differential pressure in this high pressure area is lower at the upstream end than at the downstream end so that containers which move into this central area will recirculate upstream. The separated rows of containers are brought into an alignment zone and arranged in nested relationship and are merged into an equilateral triangular configuration with mutually touching side edges in a nesting section within the alignment zone.

Abstract: A nesting table is provided which receives containers en masse from a mass air conveyor at an upstream end and discharges the containers onto a deadplate in three rows in contiguous equilateral configuration. In one embodiment, a high air pressure zone is provided along the nesting table by means of a cover extending from one side across the table to a point spaced at least one container diameter from the opposite side so that the containers entering the nesting table form two longitudinal rows on opposite sides and fill in between with a third row which nests with the row of containers which is not under the cover. A kicker plate is provided downstream of the cover to move the three formed rows of containers into nesting contiguous equilateral configuration for movement onto a deadplate. In a second embodiment, the cover is spaced at least two container diameters from the opposite edge and tapered side guides converge the three rows of containers.

Abstract: A vacuum single filer is provided for brining multiple rows of containers into single file at high speeds and over a relatively short distance. This is accomplished by discharging the containers in diagonal rows of three from a slotted dead plate onto a perforated conveyor belt extending over vacuum plenum chambers having slots therein for drawing a vacuum. The slot or slots aligned with the outermost container in each diagonal row draws sufficient vacuum to hold the outer container in fixed position and a deflector is used to direct the other containers into alignment behind the outer container and to slide them laterally across the belt as the belt moves them downstream until they are finally brought into single file alignment. An infeed vacuum conveyor cooperates with the slotted dead plate to arrange the containers in diagonal rows having a precise alignment prior to being picked up by the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A method is provided for conveying container ends en masse wherein the container ends are first placed in stacks of substantially equal height. These stacks are conveyed by conventional air conveying means through an accumulator which includes air mass conveyor table which has a top cover spaced above the top of the stacks of container ends at a height which is less than the overlap of the nested container ends so that the container ends remain in their respective stacks when subjected to lateral forces. These container end stacks can be brought into single file by air conveying single filing technology at the outlet of the accumulator.

Abstract: An air single filer apparatus for receiving cylindrical articles in upright position in random bulk and discharging them serially in horizontal single file is provided. Articles are received into a bulk storage zone, from where they move to a layout zone where they are aligned in horizontal single file and discharged along a path. Alignment is achieved by gravity and also by impacting the articles with pressurized air from a plenum. The invention uses slanted slots in a top plenum wall of the layout zone to use the Coanda effect to direct blow-back air along this wall without disturbing properly aligned articles therebelow. Also an adjustable horizontal blow-back slot at the downstream end of the layout path is provided for blowing air back upstream along the top wall, thereby creating a low pressure area adjacent the top wall in accordance with the Bernoulli Principle.

Abstract: An air table system which utilizes air jet openings in the table surface of a pattern configuration to lift, support and direct movement of objects, such as containers, to feed same from a plurality of sources to fewer destinations or vice versa. With suitable cover configuration, partially closed and open covers, movement of the containers around or to one side of blockades to accomplish controlled movement of the containers is made possible. The movement of objects can be further controlled by the use of the objects and/or side walls on the table to restrict air flow in conjunction with the solid cover portions to create selected higher air pressure zones and air flow paths to selectively move the objects. At a discharge end of the air table, a single file conveying zone is provided with air jets that blow air in the opposite direction to the normal flow of the objects to move them into single file.

Abstract: Air operated material handling equipment moves containers having elongated longitudinal axes from a mass in a bulk storage zone, wherein the longitudinal axes are disposed vertically and in side-by-side relation over a transport surface having a prearranged pattern of flotation air jet openings in the surface slanted in a downstream direction. The transport surface is divided into a plurality of zones including a bulk storage zone and a single file zone with one or more intermediate transport zones therebetween. The intermediate transfer zones have converging sides to move the containers from the bulk storage area into single file. Jets of air are delivered by angularly-disposed floatation air jet openings to lift, support and to move the articles forward. Additional acceleration jets of larger size accelerate the leading containers to separate them from the mass of containers in the intermediate transport zones to move them into single file.

Abstract: An apparatus for the movement of articles in a predetermined upright position from a first station to a second station, spaced from the first station, by a foraminous transfer belt. A vacuum plenum has a wall against the back side of the transfer belt with spaced longitudinal slots therein so that maximum vacuum is drawn in the plenum through jet openings in the belt which is sufficient to just lift and support properly oriented articles from the first station and transfer them to the second station. The transfer belt can be run at a higher speed than that with which articles are supplied to the first station to space articles longitudinally along the transfer belt. The second station includes a conveyor with converging side walls for moving the separated containers into single file arrangement over a much shorter longitudinal distance than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A pneumatic elevator for containers is provided wherein a vertical duct has end portions with nozzles in the form of holes extending through the ends and entering the duct in a downstream direction. The sides of the duct are provided with guide rails and at least one side is provided with a plurality of apertures along the length thereof through which air, introduced into the duct through the end nozzles, is exhausted. The size and angle of the nozzles are correlated with the static pressure differences across the jets to provide the requisite duct static pressure with respect to the size and number of apertures in the inner side which determines the volume of air exhausting from the can duct. Differential static air pressure separates each can from the other to minimize scratching and denting.

Abstract: An air table system which utilizes air jet openings in the table surface of a pattern configuration to lift, support and direct movement of objects, such as containers, to feed same from a plurality of sources to fewer destinations or vice versa. With suitable cover configuration, partially closed and open covers, movement of the containers around or to one side of blockades to accomplish controlled movement of the containers is made possible. The movement of objects can be further controlled by the use of the objects and/or side walls on the table to restrict air flow in conjunction with the solid cover portions to create selected higher air pressure zones and air flow paths to selectively move the objects. At a discharge end of the air table, a single file conveying zone is provided with air jets that blow air in the opposite direction to the normal flow of the objects to move them into single file.

Abstract: An air table system which utilizes air jet openings in the table surface of objects, such as a pattern configuration to lift, support and direct movement of containers, to feed same from a plurality of sources to fewer destinations or vice versa. With suitable cover configuration, partially closed and open covers, movement of the containers around or to one side of blockades to accomplish controlled movement of the containers is made possible. A higher air pressure zone is created under the closed portions than under the open portions to act as an air barrier to separate and move the objects away from the higher air pressure zones and along predetermined paths.

Abstract: A pneumatic elevator for containers is provided wherein a vertical duct has end portions with nozzles in the form of holes extending through the ends and entering the duct in a downstream direction. The sides of the duct are provided with guide rails and at least one side is provided with a plurality of apertures along the length thereof through which air, introduced into the duct through the end nozzles, is exhausted. The size and angle of the nozzles are correlated with the static pressure differences across the jets to provide the requisite duct static pressure with respect to the size and number of apertures in the inner side which determines the volume of air exhausting from the can duct. Differential static air pressure separates each can from the other to minimize scratching and denting.

Abstract: Air actuated conveyor for containers using air jets and utilizing the containers as valving means while providing a positive air pressure therebetween to maintain the containers separated during conveyance. The single container speed within the conveyor and the speed of the serially configured container train are selectively controllable essentially independent one from the other.

Abstract: An air table system which utilizes air jet openings in the table surface of a pattern configuration to lift, support and direct movement of containers to feed same from a plurality of sources to fewer destinations or vice versa. With suitable cover configuration, partially closed and open covers, movement of the containers around or to one side of blockades to accomplish controlled movement of the containers is made possible.

Abstract: Air operated material handling equipment for use with similar articles which may be received separately, or en masse from intermediate bulk storage with apparatus for dispensing the articles for movement along one or more guided paths in an organized series of individual pieces disposed closely adjacent one to the other but with additional capability for providing narrow space intervals therebetween whereby the pieces are moved essentially on a single piece basis. Containers having elongated longitudinal axes are moved from an orientation wherein the longitudinal axes are disposed vertically and in side by side relationship through a confined channel having cooperatively curved inner and outer radiuses to a zone of reception and storage wherein the longitudinal axes are disposed in side by side and stacked relationship.

Abstract: Air operated material handling equipment for use with similar articles which may be received separately, or en masse from intermediate bulk storage with apparatus for dispensing said articles for movement along a guided path in an organized series of individual pieces disposed closely adjacent one to the other but with additional capability for providing narrow space intervals therebetween whereby the pieces are moved essentially on a single piece basis. Containers having elongated longitudinal axes, are moved from an orientation wherein the longitudinal axes are disposed vertically and in side by side relationship through a confined channel having cooperatively curved inner and outer radiuses to a zone of reception and storage wherein the longitudinal axes are disposed in side by side and stacked relationship.

Abstract: An air table system which utilizes air jet openings in the table surface of a pattern configuration to lift, support and direct movement of objects, such as containers, to feed same from a plurality of sources to fewer destinations or vice versa. With suitable cover configuration, partially closed and open covers, movement of the containers around or to one side of blockades to accomplish controlled movement of the containers is made possible. The movement of objects can be further controlled by the use of the objects and/or side walls on the table to restrict air flow in conjunction with the solid cover portions to create selected higher air pressure zones and air flow paths to selectively move the objects. At a discharge end of the air table, a single file conveying zone is provided with air jets that blow air in the opposite direction to the normal flow of the objects to move them into single file.