Abstract: A device for placing elongated objects transversely onto a conveyor is disclosed. A preferred device is adapted for moving ears of corn. The preferred device includes a vibratory trough feeder which arranges and moves the ears substantially end to end and into a plurality of lanes, a plurality of drop gates for dropping a group of ears onto a receiving conveyor below, an eccentric conveyor for moving the ears from the lanes into the drop gates, a mechanism for actuating the drop gates, and a receiving conveyor capable of traveling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lanes, and located beneath the drop gates.

Abstract: A conveyor having a plurality of link assemblies with a leading end of each link assemblies being connectable to the trailing end of one of the other link assemblies for forming the conveyor belt. A plurality of spaced apart leading shaft projections are formed on the leading end of each link assembly and a plurality of trailing shaft projections are formed on the trailing end of each link assembly. Each of the leading shaft projections has a thickness which is greater than a thickness of each of the trailing shaft projections. Each of the leading shaft projections has a first wall and a second wall. The first and the second walls are each formed on a radius and curved inwardly from an upward end toward a lower end of each leading shaft projection. The trailing shaft projections are disposed in the spaces between the leading shaft projections and the curved walls on the leading shaft projection cooperate to expose a substantial portion of the shafts connecting adjacent link assemblies.

Abstract: An optical inspection system (10) has a conveyor belt (18) that turns at a non-rotating turning bar (22). An inner surface (20) of the conveyor belt contacts a turning surface (22T) of the turning bar. A reservoir (60) for holding a lubricant (62), such as water, is formed by a free surface (22F) of the turning bar, two reservoir side walls (54, 56), a free surface (52F) of a feed bar (52), and a lower surface (58). The feed bar has orifices (69) for discharge of the lubricant into the reservoir and is connected to a source of lubricant subject to volume regulation. When the conveyor belt is in operation, the volume of lubricant supplied to the reservoir keeps the line of contact (22L) between the inner surface and the turning surface covered with lubricant. Rods (64, 66) regulate the flow of lubricant so as to maintain adequate coverage with lubricant of the region (46) where the conveyor belt turns over the turning bar and of the line of contact between the inner surface and the turning surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail for accommodating and guiding a conveyor for transporting goods hanging on hangers. The conveyor may be a roller chain which travels and is guided in a chain channel in the rail. The tips of the hanger hooks rest on the roller chain. The chain channel is recessed with respect to the top side of the rail, which faces the hanger hook, and a conical groove extends upward from the roller chain and opens upward toward the outside of the rail. These features make it possible to transport the hanger hooks on their tips. The bevel which is formed by the conical groove, as well as the shape of the rail and the relative positions of the chain channel and the side edge of the rail, ensure that the hanger hook always slides in a well-defined position and orientation on the roller chain regardless of how it has been placed on the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for moving articles such as pallets in a plurality of directions. The article is supported, at least partially, by a plurality of rollers mounted along parallel chains. The rollers are free to rotate, and are mounted to the chains with their axis of rotation approximately 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the chain. By selecting the chain to be driven, and its direction, the article can be moved longitudinally, laterally, or at approximately 45 degree angles to the longitudinal axis of the chains. The article can also be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise in the area of the conveying system where sections of longitudinal chain terminate, and the next section of longitudinal chain starts, due to the perpendicular axis of rotation of rollers in adjacent chains.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for tracking data associated with a load being conveyed on a belt conveyor between a source station including a source station load sensor and a destination station including a destination station load sensor includes the steps of: generating a data record for the load at the source station, loading the data record into a programmable controller for controlling the conveyor, generating a pulse signal having a number of pulses directly proportional to the travel of the belt conveyor, establishing an expectation window indicating expected arrival of the load at the destination station, establishing a distance field for the load using the smaller of the distance between the load and any preceding load on the belt conveyor or the distance between the load and the destination load sensor, sensing the leading edge of the load by the destination station load sensor, comparing the distance between the source and destination load sensors and detecting any slippage of the load on the belt and

Abstract: A method for unpacking contents from an envelope in which the envelope is at least weakened along three folding edges and a first panel of the envelope is folded over relative to a second panel about a fourth folding edge. The contents are separated from the envelope and are delivered, and the envelope is discharged separately from its contents. An envelope separated from its contents is discharged along a discharge track from which the envelope can be intercepted. Each time contents from an associated envelope are delivered, an interval of time follows before the associated envelope is discharged.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a compact sprocket type drive unit which can be manufactured from reduced number of parts. The invention further provides a method by which multiple drive units for a single conveyor or synchronization between separate conveyors can be achieved without the necessity of costly electrical and mechanical control devices. Because the present invention provides automatically synchronized multiple conveyors, the transfer of work from one conveyor to another can be achieved with vast savings in cost of conveyor design, manufacturing, and installation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for transporting tube support members which each individually support a textile yarn package in an upright disposition thereon. The transporting assembly includes a cyclicly reversing endless belt which transports tube support members to and between a plurality of individual transport paths which each lead through a respective winding station of a textile winding machine. The individual transport paths each comprise a pair of endless belts which automatically draw tube support members onto the individual transport paths from the delivery path when the tube support members are disposed on the delivery path at the transport path at a predetermined height relative to the individual transport path.

Abstract: A system for film mulch disposal including a field-traveling compaction chamber adapted to gravity receive manually pregathered bundles of film loaded on a hopper-feeding conveyor. A reciprocating ram compacts the pregathered bundles within the compaction chamber and is manually controlled by an operator positioned for direct visual inspection of the apparatus.

Abstract: A device for feeding filter portions to a filter assembly machine, wherein an input feedbox, defined by two facing lateral walls arranged parallel and separated by a distance at least equal to the length of the filter portions, is fed with the filter portions along a conduit by which the filter portions are fed axially into an eccentric lateral groove in an elongated body fitted through the feedbox and rotating about its axis perpendicular to the lateral walls of the feedbox.

Abstract: A slat sorter comprises a main line conveyor with a transport surface on which pusher elements are mounted. The main conveyor is driven by a bearing chain that cooperates with a sprocket that is in turn driven by an electric motor. The pusher elements are selectively diverted by a divert switch from forward travel in a straight-through mode to diagonal travel across the transport surface in a divert mode to engage and direct articles to a takeaway conveyor. The divert switch comprises a switch arm that is positively actuated to both a home position for straight-through mode and a divert position for divert mode by a brushless torque actuator that generates rotary driving operation, but without linear-to-rotary motion conversion. A crossover switch is provided to guide the pusher elements in the proper diagonal path. A gate is driven to pivot between limit positions by a brushless torque actuator to facilitate unobstructed pusher element travel along the desired diagonal path.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning of food-processing conveyor belts, particularly of metal conveyor belts used to convey bakery goods through baking ovens, includes an equipment carrier including pumping and vacuum equipment; mounts for mounting frame members carrying cleaning heads including cleaning and rinsing solution applicators, a brush, a splash shield, and vacuum heads; and, interconnections for connecting carrier-supported equipment to cleaning heads. In operation, cleaning heads are mounted to the mounts and are connected to the carrier-supported equipment; and, the conveyor belt is sprayed and soaked with a cleaning solution and left for a time before having the solution together with debris and residual and carbonized matter rinsed off and vacuumed up. Brushes brush the conveyor during cleaning and rinsing.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for supporting, conveying and diverting a lane of successive articles to supply four lanes so that the articles can be intermittently bunched in successive rows of four articles. The apparatus comprises a horizontal array of rollers arranged in transverse rows longitudinally spaced apart from one another. The rollers are rotatably driven about horizontal axes for providing upper rolling surfaces upon which the articles can be supported and conveyed. The rollers are operably pivotable about vertical axes for steering the articles across the array of rollers along the prescribed sharp-angled zig-zag paths.

Abstract: Paddle apparatus for an accumulator for receiving and transporting printed circuit panels including a plurality of tip elements and caps are distributed on the tip elements. The caps act as cushion elements to prevent inadvertent damage to the printed circuit panels and for providing sufficient friction to help maintain the circuit panels in place in the accumulator apparatus as the circuit panels are moved.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for a plate form article such as a lead frame including: a main conveyor line and a working conveyor line, which convey the lead frame in a direction parallel to the length-wise direction of the lead frame; a sub-conveyor which transfers the lead frame between the main and working conveyor lines in a direction perpendicular to such conveyor lines, the sub-conveyor being made of work-holders for holding the lead frame in such a manner that two ends of the length-wise direction of the lead frame are positioned perpendicular to the conveying direction of the sub-conveyor and supported by the work-holders; a vertical driving cylinder for raising and lowering the work-holders; belt conveyor systems of two different linkages which are connected to the work-holders; and a motor which drives the timing belt systems. Both timing belt system are linked to and driven by the motor, but one of them is driven through the braking and clutch mechanisms.

Abstract: A low backline pressure conveyor chain including spaced apart strands of chain interconnected by a plurality of rods each supporting a plurality of freely rotatably rollers.

Abstract: Equipment for continuously moving heavy loads in a generally horizontal plane comprising a support structure, cog-wheels carried on the support structure and base elements linked to one another by hinges carried on the cog-wheels and defining a chain. Support and moving wheels support the chain and slide on a slide surface. The cog-wheels have external teeth or projections which cooperate with slots in the support and moving wheels. The load carried by the top surface of the base elements is transferred to the support and moving wheels and then to the support structure. The equipment allows for movement of heavy loads in a generally horizontal plane.

Abstract: An improved auger design comprises a one-piece assembly with bearings at both the inboard and outboard ends of the auger flight to self-support the auger flight within a discharge tube of the feed bin. Furthermore, a single mounting plate secures the auger to the discharge tube such that a small number of bolts may be removed to thereby facilitate the ready insertion or removal of the auger from within the discharge tube to aid in its cleanability and maintenance or replacement of failed parts.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vibratory screening apparatus comprising a frame having a pair of opposed screen frame sides, a multi-deck screen mounted on the frame sides, and a shaft-driven vibratory mechanism coupled with the screen in order to impart vibration energy thereto so as to assist the screening operation. The vibratory mechanism comprises a pair of stubshafts associated one with each of the frame sides. A respective pair of bearing housings support each stubshaft on each frame side. The bearing housings of each respective pair are spaced apart from each other, and a respective counterweight is mounted on each stubshaft in the space between the housings. The counterweights are rotatable with the stubshaft so as to apply vibration energy to the stubshaft, and therefrom to the screen via the bearing housings and the frame sides. Drive motors are coupled with each stubshaft and are arranged to be driven in synchronism in order to apply synchronous rotary motion to each stubshaft.