Abstract: An overhead transport vehicle travels along a rail on a ceiling of a building to transport a FOUP. The overhead transport vehicle includes a holding base and an upper shelf transfer device. The holding base holds at least one of a side surface and a bottom surface of the FOUP. The upper shelf transfer device moves the holding base at least upwardly while holding the FOUP. The upper shelf transfer device moves the holding base from the holding position in which the holding base holds and transfers the FOUP to the upper transfer position to transfer the FOUP, which is a different position from the holding position in a plan view and higher than the holding position.

Abstract: A textile detection module is suitable for detecting a test specimen. The textile detection module includes a height sensor, an excitation light source, an optical detector, and a focuser. The height sensor is suitable for measuring a height of the test specimen to generate a height signal. The excitation light source provides an excitation light beam. The optical detector is disposed on a transmission path of the excitation light beam and is suitable for receiving the excitation light beam and emitting the excitation light beam along the optical axis and receiving a detection light beam to generate a detection result. The focuser is disposed on the transmission path of the excitation light beam emitted by the optical detector. The focuser includes a focus lens suitable for converting the excitation light beam into a focused excitation light beam.

Abstract: A system for continuously monitoring an apron feeder in real-time, the apron feeder having a plurality of units. The system includes a plurality of sensor modules of different types, wherein each sensor module includes at least one sensor configured to measure an individual condition of a unit of the apron feeder, to generate sensor data representing the measured individual condition, and to transmit the generated sensor data. A base station is configured to collect the sensor data from the plurality of sensor modules, and to transmit outbound data, which is based on the collected sensor data. A processing unit receives the outbound data from the base station, analyses the outbound data for determining whether or not any of the unit of the apron feeder needs to be replaced or readjusted based on its individual condition, and generates a result of the determination for continuously indicating an overall state of the apron feeder.

Abstract: An inversion guide device is configured to guide tofu conveyed by a transfer conveyor and inverted by a turn-back portion at one end of the transfer conveyor. The inversion guide device includes an endless conveyor configured to support the tofu along a track of the turn-back portion and guide the tofu while being driven in a circulating manner.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for treating containers, having a treatment device for treating the containers, and a carrier which is arranged such that it can move linearly with respect to a holder, wherein a plurality of rolling elements being arranged between the carrier and the holder and guiding the movement of the treatment device, wherein these rolling elements at least temporarily contact both a running surface of the carrier and a running surface of the holder, wherein the rolling elements are arranged in a rolling elements cage and move in the direction of movement, wherein this rolling element cage extends in the direction of movement and has a greater length than the holder.

Abstract: A translating drive unit (TDU) may comprise: a housing; a plurality of guide rollers coupled to the housing; a drive system coupled to the housing, the drive system configured to translate the housing in a longitudinal direction; and a retractable pawl coupled to the housing.

Abstract: Mining machines such as continuous miners and chain haulage units may include chain conveyors that are capable of deflecting laterally in order to travel through lateral turns. The chain conveyors may include flight members for pushing or urging material along a pan. The chain may be driven by one or more sprockets. In one independent aspect, a link for a chain conveyor includes a body including a first end a second end opposite the first end, a first opening proximate the first end and extending in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of the link, a second opening proximate the second end and extending in a direction transverse to the direction of travel of the link, and a relief opening extending through the link body and positioned between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A conveyor system has an endless belt with an upper transport portion sized to support a wheeled structure, and a lower return portion. A support deck is positioned to support the upper transport portion of the endless belt, the support deck includes a lower support deck structure, and wear plates that are supported on the lower support deck structure. The support deck includes alignment aperture pairs. Each alignment aperture pair includes a first alignment aperture through the lower support deck structure, and a second alignment aperture through one of the plurality of wear plates. A belt-rinsing system is provided and includes a plurality of rinsing system outlet bodies, wherein each of the plurality of rinsing system outlet bodies extends into one of the first alignment apertures of the lower support deck structure and into one of the second alignment apertures of one of the plurality of wear plates.

Abstract: A friction drive wheel for conveyor systems includes a cylindrical central disk formed of aluminum. Joined to the curved outer surface of the aluminum disk is a base layer that is cylindrical and sleeve-like and coaxial with the disk. The base layer is formed of a hard polymer (like polyurethane) material, with a hardness in the range of 75 Shore D, to eliminate torsional stress and flexure at the mechanical interface between the base layer and the central disk. A tread layer is secured about the base layer, formed of a softer polymer (like polyurethane) that is more yielding and compliant in contact with the trolley to maximize the frictional engagement. The base layer serves as a thermal insulator between the outer tread layer and the central disk, protecting the bond at the base/central disk interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for guiding products along a conveyor in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first guiderail for at least partially forming a conveying path for articles on the conveyor. A guiderail adjuster includes a flexible or collapsible support, which make take the form of a linkage, and which provides support for the first guiderail along the conveyor. The flexible or collapsible support is adapted for being extended and retracted along a support rail extending in the conveying direction to selectively position the first guiderail relative to the conveyor, and thereby alter (increase or decrease) the width of the conveying path. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for measuring dustiness of a product. The method can include providing the product onto a ramp. The method further can include allowing gravity to move the product down the ramp, toward a discharging end of the ramp, and to exit the ramp through a dam at the discharging end of the ramp. The dam can be configured to control a mass flow rate of the product exiting the ramp. The method additionally can include measuring, by a sensor, airborne particles to determine the dustiness of the product, wherein the airborne particles are generated by the product exiting the ramp and freely falling onto a support surface. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of accumulating packages and an accumulation module including a base cabinet, a rotatable accumulation dial, a hopper and picker assembly, the picker assembly extendable radially outward from a home position to a position outside of the hopper to retrieve a package and place the package on the accumulation module. The package is acted on by a first plunger from above and a stabilizing plunger from below to hold the package in place and then the package is treated by a heat stake anvil from below.

Abstract: The shuttle system is configured to convey a container through a filling center. The shuttle system includes a shuttle and a base plate that is operably attached with the shuttle. A plurality of support members extend vertically upwardly from the base plate and surround a container receiving space. The support members are configured to directly contact side surfaces of the container and to support the container as the shuttle moves through the filling center without locking the container to the shuttle.

Abstract: A multi-station cam carrying mechanism, including a baseplate, a rotary shaft in the middle of the baseplate, an electric motor connected to the bottom of the rotary shaft, a rotary plate at an upper part of the rotary shaft, mounting frames on the baseplate, a mounting plate on the mounting frames, an annular sliding groove on a bottom face of the mounting plate along a cam trajectory, and multiple grabbing and transferring assemblies annularly and uniformly arranged at intervals, with bottom parts slidably arranged on the rotary plate and top parts slidably arranged in the sliding groove. The electric motor drives multiple stations to carry products simultaneously, and undergoes a reciprocating movement along the cam trajectory, grabhooks on the assemblies reciprocate vertically to grab and transfer the products, so that the products are sequentially transferred from one station to the next station.

Abstract: A stair roller device comprising: a first rail; a second rail, the second rail parallel to the first rail; a top cross member fixedly attached to the first rail and second rail at or near the top of the first and second rails; at least one other cross members fixedly attached to the first rail and second rail and below the top cross member; a plurality of wheels on the top side of the first rail and the top side of the second rail, a horizontal extending member extending at an acute angle from the bottom side of the top cross member, the horizontal extending member configured abut against a structure at or near the top of a set basement stairs to temporarily hold the stair roller device on the basement stairs.

Abstract: A swing arm changes a position of a placement surface of a placement body between a horizontal position and a tilted position by swinging between a reference position at which the swing arm extends along an opposing surface facing a lower surface of the placement body and a standing position at which the swing arm is tilted relative to the opposing surface. The opposing surface is provided with a guide member configured to guide swinging movement of the swing arm, and the guide member is configured to support the swing arm by sandwiching the swing arm from both sides in an axial direction within a prescribed guide range including the reference position in a total swing range of the swing arm.

Abstract: A cleanable conveyor frame and a method for making a cleanable frame having a simplified frame design. Infeed and outfeed assemblies are movable between operating and cleaning positions. An outfeed assembly includes a drive for a conveyor belt and a position limiter-scraper assembly. The position limiter-scraper assembly comprises a roller extending between two connecting plates mounted to outfeed mounting plates, a scraper assembly having a scraper blade mounted to a mounting bar extending between the two connecting plates and a leaf spring extending rearward from the mounting bar for biasing the scraper blade into contact with the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for tampon applicators has a first conveyor track, which includes two transport belts which are arranged spaced apart from each other. The transport belts each have a bearing axis. The conveying apparatus furthermore has a first conveyor drive for driving at least one of the two spaced-apart transport belts, and transport belts which are arranged spaced apart from each other in such a manner that a tampon applicator which is to be conveyed rests on the two transport belts in an intermediate space between the transport belts. The bearing axes of the transport belts are arranged parallel; in particular in the case of transport belts having the same conveying direction. Furthermore, a method conveys tampon applicators.

Abstract: A sorting system is provided. The sorter system includes a conveyor frame, slats disposed on the conveyor frame and extending substantially perpendicularly to a central axis of the conveyor frame. Shoes are disposed on the slat and are moveable between a central position adjacent to the central axis of the conveyor frame, and a distal position adjacent to one of a first and second side of the conveyor frame.

Abstract: A multi-roller guide is provided that includes a base plate with a cover plate secured thereto and a plurality of roller assemblies with rollers rotatably secured between the base plate and cover plate, the roller assemblies aligned along a roller assembly arc path, wherein the rollers are configured to rotatably engage with a tensile member.