Abstract: A materials conveyor and distribution system comprising a pair of juxtaposed component belts forming a composite conveyor belt having a conveyor stretch and a return stretch, adjacent longitudinal edges of the component belts being disposed in a substantially abutting relationship, at least in the conveyor stretch, a support for the component belts with their adjacent longitudinal edges in abutting relationship while allowing for the free movement of the belts with respect to the support, into and out of the conveyor stretch, one or more discharge locations along the conveyor stretch wherein the adjacent edges of the component belts can move apart so as to form a discharge gap, and apparatus for driving the composite conveyor belt into and out of the conveyor stretch.

Abstract: A production line for the manufacture of electric parts includes a conveyor belt and a plurality of parallel-arranged processing stations disposed along the belt. Workpiece carriers are transported by the belt. Each processing station includes a lifting mechanism which lifts at least one carrier from the belt for further handling, while leaving the belt unobstructed so that subsequent carriers can be conveyed beneath the lifted carrier. A gripper inserts workpieces onto the raised carrier and/or removes workpieces from the raised carrier. Movable stops are positioned upstream of the lifting mechanism to stop a subsequent carrier as the lifted carrier is lowered back onto the belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rearranging a plurality of baking articles which are transported in successive transverse rows on a first conveyor onto a second conveyor extending at an angle to the first conveyor in which successive transverse rows of the articles are lifted from the first conveyor by suction cups on an endless suction belt and conveyed above the second conveyor where the transverse rows of articles form longitudinal rows above the second conveyor. The suction applied to the articles is interrupted when the articles are positioned above the second conveyor so that the articles are deposited onto the second conveyor and are transported thereby so that the articles previously arranged in the transverse rows on the first conveyor are transported in longitudinal rows on the second conveyor.