Abstract: A strand preorienter is formed by a plurality of spaced parallel preorienter shafts each having a plurality of preorienter discs mounted thereon in axially spaced relationship. The preorienter discs on adjacent shafts overlap and form preorienter partition walls which defined opposite sides of preorienter passages through which the strands fall onto an orienter having orienter passages that align the strands as required. The preorienter passages are significantly wider than the orienter passages and have their outlets positioned immediately above the orienter.

Abstract: A continuous conveyor (10) comprises first rigid link elements (13) interconnected to run in guides (11) and with application above a plurality of second elements (15) of yielding material at least on top. One method of realization of the conveyor comprises the phases of molding of compatible material for stable connection with the material of the links, frames (16) with seats with undercuts (19) at least on top, molding on each frame (16) of a part made of yielding material (17) which fills the seats and projects above from the frame, and fixing the frames (16) in respective positions on the link elements for direct connection of frame zones to the link elements. The connection is advantageously achieved by ultrasonic welding.

Abstract: The present invention teaches method and apparatus for a single stroke kinematic system, having a required mid stroke dwell, which permits positioning of the mid stroke dwell with respect to both space and time. A four bar linkage mechanism is disclosed having a bottom stroke and a top stroke toggle thereby kinematically providing the acceleration ramps into and out of the bottom stroke and top stroke dwells. A cycloidal drive mechanism is provided to drive the four bar linkage and providing time/phase shifting of the cycloidal drive's mid cycle dwell.

Abstract: A delivery system (20) having a plurality of printing presses (22) to supply printed materials, a plurality of trays (38) being movable past locations of the presses (22), a device for loading (26) the trays (38) from the presses (22), a device for ejecting (28) the printed materials from the trays (38) onto a plurality of positions of a plurality of docks (46) for a plurality of vehicles (48) located at the positions on the dock (46), and a control system (49) for selecting the trays (38) to be ejected onto the docks (46) according to a variable current rate having an average during delivery approximately equal to a selected base rate.

Abstract: A sealed linear motion apparatus and method are disclosed. The moveable surface of the apparatus is sealed to side members spaced across the moveable surface and adjacent to the opposite sides of the moveable surface. The seal comprises sealing members which make contact with both the side members and the moveable surface. The sealing members are typically made from polyurethane impregnated with polytetrafluorolethylene. In one embodiment, the apparatus is used as a linear position table. A controlled motor precisely positions a plate mounted to the moveable surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus is used as a conveyor in which the moveable surface moves continuously in one direction at a constant rate of speed. Because the apparatus is sealed, it may be used in certain applications such as clean room environments and those requiring wash down of equipment with high pressure, high temperature liquid or environments with abrasive contaminants in the air.

Abstract: A sheet stacking system for stacking the sequential sheet output of a reproducing apparatus, with a sheet stacking tray providing an upwardly inclined sheet stacking surface at a substantial angle above the horizontal for receiving and registering sheets to be stacked thereon from a sheet output against an edge registration surface, and with a tray elevator for linearly repositioning the sheet stacking tray relative to the sheet output for maintaining the top stacking position and inclination, for the accumulation of a large stack; wherein the tray elevator repositions the sheet stacking tray downwardly in a linear but non-vertical movement path which is more perpendicular to the angle of the inclined sheet stacking surface and parallel to the edge registration surface, to provide non-vertical but more squarely superposed sheet stacking in the sheet stacking tray.

Abstract: A method and device for transferring products in an equally-spaced manner to a wrapping line, whereby transverse columns of products traveling parallel to their axis on a first conveyor are fed successively in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the product. Wherein the products, still traveling in the first direction, are compacted and equally spaced, and then fed parallel to themselves along a curved path extending over an arc of 90.degree., and are loaded on to a second conveyor traveling in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and extending parallel to the axis of the products.

Abstract: In a ball conveying gutter system, a gutter (21), (26) for carrying pachinko balls in order to supply them to the individual pachinko machines and for storing the pachinko balls is supported by successive gutter supports mounted respectively between successive pairs of confronting posts. Each gutter support has at opposite ends a pair of hooks, and the confronting posts of each pair have a pair of holes for detachably catching the opposite hooks respectively.

Abstract: Catenary rigid top troughing assemblies guide and support the top, or load carrying portion of a flexible belt conveyor system. Each unit includes a centrally located, formed cross member. Attached at each end of the cross member is a saddle, which rigidly mounts or affixes the cross member to the siderails. The saddles have slotted mounting holes to allow the assembly to be pivoted for proper belt training. Handles are attached to the saddles for lifting on or off of the siderails. Roller mounting brackets are rigidly attached to the cross member to position three rollers into a appropriate troughing arrangement. The two outside or wing rollers are mounted on one side of the cross member, while the third, or center roller is mounted on the other side.

Abstract: The invention comprises a flexible parts feeding system which can feed a large number of different types of parts to a manipulator. The system comprises a vibrating platform, a conveyor belt, a series of guides to assist in positioning and orienting parts, a vision based system for determining the orientation of a part in the staging area, and computer programming for instructing the manipulator to grasp the part if it is properly oriented in the staging area. The vibratory amplitude and speed, the speed of the conveyor belts, the positioning of the guides and the part signature of the vision system are all programmable responsive to the part which is to be fed.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated roll stop of controllable speed is provided for stopping a roll. A first end of a stop arm is operatively connected to a pivotal joint of a frame. The distal end of the stop arm is provided for making contact with the roll to be stopped. A pneumatic cylinder comprises a cylinder unit having first and second ends defining a cavity therein. A piston is axially aligned in the cylinder and separates first and second working chambers. A piston rod is operatively connected to the piston axially extending outward from the cavity at a first end of the cylinder unit. The rod is operatively engaged with the frame, and the second end of the cylinder is operatively engaged to the stop arm. A first passage is provided for pneumatically connecting the first working chamber to a control valve and a pulse valve, and a second passage is provided for pneumatically connecting the second working chamber to the control valve.

Abstract: A stacker assembly receives signatures and supports the signatures as an intermediate stack is formed. A jogger assembly engages an intermediate stack supported by the stacker assembly to accurately align edge portions of the signatures. The stacks of signatures are deposited onto a turntable to form a main stack. The turntable rotates the main stack to offset relatively thick folded edge portions of signatures. The stacker assembly includes a plurality of slats which are moved along a first continuous circuitous path by a first drive assembly. The stacker assembly also includes a plurality of slats which are moved along a second continuous circuitous path by a second drive assembly. The drive assemblies move the slats along the continuous circuitous paths with the longitudinal axes of the slats horizontal and parallel. The jogger assembly has jogger plates which extend into central portions of the continuous circuitous paths along which the slats are moved by the drive assemblies.

Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for moving articles, such as cans, by groups, or tiers, from a pallet to an adjoining surface, such as a belt conveyor. A pair of sweep arms of a sweep unit move about a closed loop path to alternately engage the trailing portion of groups of articles when at a pallet sweep area to urge each group from the pallet. A pivotable retainer arm of a retainer unit, mounted on a reciprocating carriage moved by a driver following a closed loop path, engages the leading portion of the group of articles to be then moved from the pallet and thereafter leads the group from the pallet.

Abstract: A device for equally-spaced transportation of randomly arranged incoming products, such as packets of cigarettes, whereby the products traveling successively and in randomly arranged manner along a first path and in a first given direction are brought into engagement with a braking device for forming an orderly line of products, which are removed successively from the first path by a transfer device and in a substantially transverse pickup direction in relation to the first traveling direction, and are fed, rotated 90.degree., on to a second path along which they are fed continuously and in equally-spaced manner in a second direction forming any angle in relation to the first traveling direction.

Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt formed of a large number of plastic belt modules includes outer belt modules having integral sideplates. The sideplates are of heavier material and higher strength, for withstanding stress around the outside of curves and for withstanding edge wear in certain types of conveyor systems. In a preferred embodiment, each sideplate has a depending guide member which may include a hold down tab. In one embodiment, plastic connecting rods which serially connect belt modules are discontinuous in length, made up of several coaxial pieces which are held in place by press fitting at the outer ends. This enables the rod to be of high shear strength in areas of high pulling force, e.g. at the outside of a radius conveyor belt in a curve, but of lower strength extruded construction elsewhere.

Abstract: A rubber tire individual separation transport apparatus including a rubber tire individual conveyor surface section and a rubber tire sliding surface section separately formed on a slat conveyor surface, with the conveyor having a horizontal charge zone, a sharply inclined individual transport zone, and a horizontal discharge zone. Also included is an upright plate erected for contact with the peripheral surface of a rubber tire at one end of each slat in the individual conveyor surface section. A support plate of such a size as to support only one rubber tire laid flat on said individual conveyor surface is mounted at a larger pitch in the direction of transport than the maximum diameter of the rubber tire being conveyed. A stationary side wall is erected along the side edge of the other end of the slat of the sliding surface section. Cooperative action between the selected tire and the side wall causes frictional force on unwanted tires to cause them to fall back to the supply of tires.

Abstract: A chain-link conveyor comprising a plurality of chain links hinged together by transversely extending hinge pins disposed in traction eyes. A top plate of each chain link is provided with fingers and recesses disposed between the respective fingers at both a front edge and a rear edge, as viewed in a direction of movement of the conveyor. The fingers are staggered with respect to each other so that the fingers and recesses on adjacent links are adapted to engage with each other. An additional finger is disposed substantially centrally of the chain link in the front edge, as viewed in the direction of movement of the conveyor and the corresponding central recess is provided in the rear edge of an adjacent link. The chain links may be injected moulded plastic links or links blanked from sheet metal.

Abstract: A power switch assembly is operably connected to the combplate of an escalator for selectively shutting off the escalator in the event of entrapment of some object between the steps and combplate. When an object becomes wedged between the steps and combplate, the latter will be lifted or pushed upwardly away from the steps. The upward movement of the combplate operates a power interruption switch to stop further movement of the steps and handrail. The combplate is supported on the truss by spring assemblies which serve to effectively lower the weight of the combplate so that upward movement of the latter is more readily accomplished. The assembly can be retrofitted onto older existing escalators with heavier combplates than are found in newer equipment.

Abstract: A transportation device for transporting an object comprises a base body, a depression provided on a top surface of the base body, a lifting mechanism provided on the base body in correspondence to the depression and including a lift plate for supporting the object thereon and an air envelope unit supplied with compressed air for causing a dilatation in response thereto, the lift plate being connected to the air envelope unit such that the lift plate is lifted upward upon a supply of the compressed air, and an air foil bearing provided on the base body such that a top surface of the air foil bearing is located at a level above a bottom surface of the base body.

Abstract: A balustrade assembly is provided having a balustrade panel, a panel holder, a clamp for clamping the balustrade panel in the panel holder, and an apparatus for adjusting the vertical position of the balustrade panel, independent of the clamp.