Abstract: A double belt press comprises two endless steel belts revolving in opposing directions with mutually facing sides thereof pressed against each other and against material passed therebetween by means of stationary, temperature-controlled press plates. The belts are guided by revolving roller chains on the press plates which are speed-coordinated with the roller chains. A heat transfer mechanism is provided along the path of travel of the roller chain of at least one press plate in order to change the temperature of the roll elements of the roller chains.

Abstract: Apparatus for diverting articles from a belt conveyor at an article-discharge zone, wherein a diverter is moved from a position at the side of the belt to a position wherein it extends at an angle to the direction of movement of the belt transversely of the belt in the path of movement of the articles. The diverter is pivotally mounted to swing through an angle from its retracted position along one side of the belt to its extended position in which it extends across the conveyor at an angle so that articles encounter it and are diverted from the conveyor. The axis of the pivotal movement of the diverter is at the upstream edge of the article-discharge zone and is so positioned that the path of the downstream end of the diverter moves along an arc which intersects the near edge of the belt substantially opposite or downstream from the point where that arc intersects the far edge of the belt.

Abstract: Apparatus for the extrusion of a flowable mass onto a conveyor, comprises first and second cylindrical containers. The first container is disposed for rotation about a longitudinal axis and includes first passages for depositing the flowable mass. The second container includes a wall portion which contains a plurality of second passages. The wall portion is disposed against the first container, the latter rotating relative to the second container so that the first and second passages are periodically aligned to enable the flowable mass to be deposited onto the conveyor. The first and second containers define a gap therebetween which creates a negative pressure to suck-in excess mass from the outer periphery of the apparatus. A spatula is provided to push the mass into the gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for the preparation of granulate from hot-melting mixes comprises a pourer connected by a filter-containing conduit to at least one mixing and melting device. The strip pourer is disposed above a cooling conveyor which feeds to a crushing device. The pourer comprises a heated tubular body provided on its under side with discharge nozzles arranged in at least one row. A filter is disposed within the tubular body across the discharge nozzles to prevent unwanted particles from reaching the nozzles.

Abstract: A conveyor system formed by a main steel belt conveyor which carries items from a receiving station to any one of a number of discharge conveyors which extend to different destinations. A mechanism is provided in each of the discharge conveyors which pushes items from the main conveyor onto the discharge conveyor. The mechanism has a pusher arm which is supported by a rod assembly so as to be moved across the main conveyor downstream from the unloading zone while extending upwardly away from the main conveyor. It is then swung down on the far side of the item and pushes the item onto the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing sheets of plastic having precisely controlled thickness. Two endless steel belts are positioned to provide coextensive runs between which there is a press-gap of uniform thickness. Each of the belts is provided throughout the treatment zone with a back-up pressure structure formed by a continuous array of rollers positioned along each of the belts and a back-up plate structure which is positioned to provide a precisely controlled gap for the rollers. The rollers are turned by the contact with the belt and roll along a path throughout the length of the treatment zone. Heated liquid is passed through the plates to control the temperature of the product being treated. Each of the plate structures is held against its array of rollers by a plurality of steel bearing strips, the transverse dimension of each of which is controlled by passing a heated liquid through it.

Abstract: A press for producing continuous sheets, for example, that which is fabricated into circuit boards for printed electrical circuits. There are two endless steel belts, each of which is mounted on a pair of drums or rolls which support the belts so that there are coextensive belt runs which define a treatment zone in which the product is formed. The coextensive belt runs are held in precisely spaced relationship by a pair of pressure plates which may also act as heating plates. Each of the pressure plates is supported from the press structural members by a plurality of support strips which are positioned in rows longitudinally of the treatment zone. The strips of one of those rows adjacent each of the longitudinal side edges of the treatment zone are wedge units. Each wedge unit is adjustable to flex the edge of the support plate and change the thickness of the press-gap in that area. In that way, it is possible to produce a product having precisely controlled uniform thickness throughout.

Abstract: A system for producing droplets of a liquid, particularly for pelletizing the material. The liquid is delivered under a controlled pressure to a relatively shallow horizontal chamber, the lower wall of which is a plate having nozzles therein and the top wall of which is formed by a flexible diaphragm. There is a chamber above the flexible diaphragm which contains oil and connects through its top wall to a chamber of variable volume having a bellows side wall construction and a movable top wall. The oil also fills that chamber so that when the movable top wall is pushed downwardly, a uniform pressure is exerted on the diaphragm so as to press it downwardly and to cause a drop of the liquid to be discharged from each of the nozzle. The movable top wall is vibrated or oscillated vertically so as to produce a continuous series of droplets from each nozzle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing sheets of bitumen in which a layer of liquid bitumen is deposited on a steel belt conveyor and is solidified to form a continuous web. The web is stripped from the conveyor and passes downwardly by the action of gravity to a cutting assembly which cuts the web into lengths to form sheets. The sheets are then stacked upon a discharge conveyor and are adapted for packaging.