Abstract: A tubular belt conveyor has an endless belt having a substantially flat cross-section with constant thickness over the breadth thereof. The belt is deformed over its breadth in a curved fashion such that the longitudinal side edges of one surface are brought into abutment with each other thus forming a tube, with the adjacent edges constituting a longitudinal lug projecting radially outwardly from the tube portion. The lug is clamped and held on both sides by a pair of guide rollers and pressed at its radially outer end surface by a pressing roller. The tubular form of the belt is maintained by a plurality of tube-forming rollers surrounding the tube portion of the belt. The flat belt is easy to produce and can be coiled in a compact manner for easy packaging. Local wear of the belt due to contact with the axial end edges of the pulley is avoided because the pulley at each end of the conveyor may have an axial length greater than the breadth of the belt, because of the flat cross-section of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transport of rollable workpieces, in particular gears, with a conveyor chain which extends over two return points, on the upper reach of which chain the workpieces rest or roll. Between two horizontal sections of the upper chain reach, which sections lie in different planes, there is provided an inclined section, in the area of which lies the clamping and machining station of a machine tool, to which roll the workpieces. The inclination of this section is changeable by means of a rocker arm, in order to be able to adjust the distance between the clamping device and the conveyor chain to various workpiece dimensions.

Abstract: A mechanism, for delivering two different kinds of fastener elements to a fastener-assembling apparatus, comprises a pair of hoppers for containing the two different fastener elements separately, and a pair of pick-up plates pivotally and vertically movable in the respective hoppers for picking up the fastener elements therein to deliver the same to a pair of separate chutes. The two pick-up plates are driven by a single drive, such as an air-cylinder or oil-cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing strips (13) from compartments (2) wherein the strips (13) are disposed horizontally in hook-shaped brackets (3) comprises an inclined conveyor (7) movable into the region of a compartment (2) that is in the pickup position. A device (17) at the upper end of this inclined conveyor lifts the strips (13) off the conveyor, and an installation (23) removes the strips from the end of the device (17) on the delivery side.

Abstract: A plurality of floor members (40, 58, 106) are supported on guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102). The guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102) are spaced apart such that the floor members (40, 58, 106) have spaces between their side portions. The guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102) have oppositely directed flanges (26, 78, 80, 112, 114) secured to their tops. Bearing members (30, 116) slip over these flanges and rest on top of the guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102). Bottom members (20, 64, 98) extend laterally between the guide beams (16, 18, 60, 102), to form channels in the regions between the floor members (40, 58, 106). In one embodiment, refrigerated air is directed through these channels. In a second embodiment, the channel is used to collect small particles of ice and ice water. In a third embodiment, garbage is allowed to enter into the channel space. The sidewalls (108, 110) of the floor members (106) engage this garbage and move it when the floor members (106) are moving and hold it when the floor members (106) are stationary.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling biscuits comprises a pair of identical devices for separating and holding back advanced supplies of the biscuits, which are arranged in rows, in contiguous, upright relationship, within laterally-spaced supply channels. The rows of biscuits are converted into a single row by a chute which is periodically movable sideways, to a position at the outlet end of one of the channels while the biscuit supply in the other channel is held back by a separating member comprising a "finger" movable towards and upwardly away from the path of the advanced supply of biscuits by a piston and cylinder assembly operable so that, only upward movement of a separating member takes place as positive motion, whereas the downward movement of the member is such that it is free, pausing in its movement if necessary, to make entry into the supply in a yieldable manner.

Abstract: A module including control valves, actuators and racks for effecting, selectively, accumulating and conveying in a belt driven live roller conveyor. A master control valve is connected in a discharge zone to control accumulation or continuous conveying with load separation. By means of standard modules, a typical belt driven, live roller conveyor is converted to a belt driven, live roller zero pressure accumulating conveyor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing the work required for moving, handling, and rolling heavy boxes and the like having a center of gravity. The apparatus incorporates a ramp contoured to the locus of points described by the surfaces of the workpiece as that workpiece rotates about its center of gravity, as that center of gravity is horizontally translated while simultaneously maintained at constant vertical elevation.

Abstract: A micro-controller system for recognizing and identifying same or dissimilar parts being transferred along the track of a parts feeder, such as a bowl feeder, as well as checking the part orientation, and sorting the oriented parts in a predetermined repetitive sequence. Part recognition and sequencing is programmable upon user demand. Part recognition includes a part silhouette recognizer comprised of a set of light sensors coupled to an apertured grid located in a part feeding track. The silhouette image of each part to be sorted is first digitized and stored in the memory of the micro-controller in a position associated with an identifying part number. Also, the sequence of the various parts is stored in the memory of the micro-controller.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a defect in a conveyor belt includes anchors holding a line substantially taut in a position extending across and in close proximity to a moving surface of the conveyor belt, and a trigger device responsive to loss of tension or increased tension in the line, caused by disturbance of the line by a protrusion in the belt surface arising from the defect, to initiate a reaction to the disturbance.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting an elongated workpiece in a normal horizontal transport direction and generally perpendicular to the workpiece has a rail extending horizontally in the normal transport direction. A carriage rides on the rail in the transport direction and pivotally carries a pair of end links at respective generally parallel support axes extending horizontally generally perpendicular to the transport direction and spaced apart in the transport direction. A lifting member is pivoted on the end links at respective member axes generally parallel to and offset from the support axes. A lower link pivoted on the end links below the lifting member forms with the lifting member and end links a parallelogrammatic linkage which is movable between a raised position with the member projecting above the rail and a lowered position with the member below the upper rail surface. A spring urges the linkage into the upper position.

Abstract: A dispersion feeder for distributively feeding product to a plurality of weighing units arranged circularly about a common axis, comprising a plurality of conveyer troughs arranged radially about the axis for communicating by their outer ends respectively with the weighing units, and a plurality of vibrating units attached respectively to the conveyer troughs for subjecting each conveyer trough to independent vibration. Each conveyer trough is provided with a projection inclined upwardly and radially inwardly toward the common axis. These projections are arranged radially about the axis without mutual contact to form a conical or domed substantially continuous central dispersion surface, and each projection and its corresponding conveyor trough is adapted to be subjected to independent vibration to feed product supplied directly onto the dispersion surface to the corresponding conveyer trough.

Abstract: Diverter apparatus for rapidly and gently diverting articles, typically fruit, from a moving conveyor. The apparatus comprises an ejector lever member, an air cylinder assembly, and a stationary ejector lever mount, the two former sharing a common pivot point while each of the two is pivotable with respect to each other while pivoting on pivot pins mounted to the stationary mount. The working end of the ejector lever is caused to swing arcuately over a certain distance to divert the fruit when the piston rod of the air cylinder assembly travels a much shorter distance, thus permitting very rapid cycling of the diverter. Diverting and retraction strokes of the piston are controlled by air from a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve receiving control signals from a computer controlled relay.

Abstract: A conveyor system having a segmented lengthwise supply conveyor comprised of a plurality of dual transpositors, whereby product from the supply conveyor is redirected laterally to a plurality of cross-feed conveyors that, in turn, supply product to stacking and wrapping stations. Overlying each cross-feed conveyor is a primary transpositor drive end having a retractable nose roller and below which a secondary transpositor conveyor having a retractable nose roller is mounted for temporarily storing product before retracting and dropping the product onto the cross-feed conveyor, thereby facilitating a continuous through put of product to each of said wrapping stations. Photo electric transmitter/receiver and a programmable controller ensure system synchronization.

Abstract: Transportation apparatus, such as a moving walk or an escalator, having a continuous handrail driven about a closed loop by a handrail drive. The closed loop includes a longitudinal axis, or axes, which divide a load run on which passengers may grasp the handrail, and a return run. The transportation apparatus includes a drive unit which, in addition to driving the transportation apparatus, also drives the handrail drive via a drive chain or belt. The chain or belt is automatically tensioned, notwithstanding wear thereof, or longitudinal positional adjustment of the apparatus drive unit towards either end of the apparatus, by mounting the handrail drive unit such that it is free to move longitudinally, in either direction of the handrail, restrained only by the drive chain or belt.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for movement of sample containing vials from a first position to a second position in an analyzer instrument such as a liquid scintillation or a gamma counting device. The apparatus is particularly adaptable where available space is limited. A flexible transport member permits the transformation of movement in one direction into movement in another direction. Sensors and adjusting screws are incorporated into the apparatus for precisely controlling the travel distance of the transport member as well as precisely orienting the direction of the transport member.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for preventing air pollution in the handling and storing of particulate solids out-of-doors in bulk form; i.e., in a pile. A windfoil arrangement keeps material from being entrained in wind blowing over the pile and thereby causing an air pollution problem. The problem is particularly acute when material is being dumped; it also arises when wind strips the particulate material from the pile, and it can result in the particulate material being scattered over a widespread area (typically one mile or more in radius) which indicates that the air pollution is not restricted to the immediate vicinity of the area in which the material is stored.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and clamping a transferrable work-clamp pallet on the movable table of a machine tool of vertical or horizontal type. The pallet clamping device is composed of a bed plate on the movable table of the machine tool having transfer rails, guide rails, pallet supporting blocks, positioning devices and clamping devices. The work-clamp pallet is transferred onto the bed plate by its castors rolling on the transfer rails and guided by the guide rails. After high-precision positioning by the positioning devices, the pallet is clamped onto the supporting blocks. Devices are also provided for confirming proper positioning and clamping of the work-clamp pallet and for blowing off chips deposited on the supporting blocks.

Abstract: In a conveyor for feeding non-slidable goods into a continuously operating packing machine, and wherein spacing between the goods being conveyed is provided by elongated engaging bars spaced from each other, a storage device is provided at the inlet portion of the conveyor. The engaging bars are discharged from the storage device onto the conveyor band of the conveyor at predetermined intervals controlled by a programming shaft of the packing machine. The engaging bars have flexible, deformable elements which are clamped between the conveyor band and clamping driven endless belts so that the engaging bars are retained on the conveyor band at predetermined intervals from each other.

Abstract: Articles are dropped under the interior of a drum at its lowermost part, carried by partition walls of the drum to the uppermost part, and permitted to fall onto a further transport device. The drum has separation walls equally spaced from each other along the length of the drum, to form a number of rows of compartments which each can receive a single article and align the article in a preferred orientation. Each partition wall is formed as an angle profile, and each compartment includes an ejector engaging the angle profile. When the respective angle profile is at the highest point of drum rotation, the ejectors of the compartments associated with that profile are all moved away from the angle profile so that articles present in those compartments are ejected and fall onto the further transport device.