Abstract: An apparatus for transporting solid waste drill cuttings material produced in the drilling of an oil or gas well, the apparatus including: a waste supply apparatus; a feeder to transport the material; a pneumatic conveying apparatus to which the material is transferred from the feeder; at least one blockage sensing device in the conveyor; and a control apparatus for controlling feed rate of the feeder.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for the handling, transport and or storage of items of wearing apparel which are hung on hangers. In the system, there is plurality of transport units which travel over a rail system from a first location (e.g. an inbound location) to a second location (e.g. an outbound location). Each transport unit has a carrier section which, in the first operating position of the transfer unit, is generally horizontally aligned, and is suspended from a rail by means of first and second roller support sections at opposite ends of the carrier section. The transport unit has a second operating position where the carrier section is rotated relative to one of the roller support sections to a more vertical orientation where the garment units are closer together in a horizontal direction and more vertically aligned with one another, this being a position in which the garment units can be stored and/or shipped in a more closely packed configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying articles from one or more input streams to at least two output streams using air to support, convey and divert the articles is disclosed. The apparatus uses a plurality of primary air passageways to support and convey the articles and a plurality of secondary air passageways to divert and convey the articles. Also disclosed is a method for conveying articles from on or more input streams into at least two output streams utilizing the diverting apparatus.

Abstract: An assembly for distributing particulate material comprising a blower assembly which is preferably removably mounted on a mobile platform and structured to generate a forced flow of air along a flow path and through a manifold assembly connected to a supply of material being distributed. The manifold assembly includes a receiving segment incorporating a Venturi section facilitating the entrainment of the material into the forced air flow passing through a discharge conduit preferably having an extended length to facilitate distribution of the material to a plurality of locations in a variety of different environments. A vent assembly is provided to relieve back pressure from within the discharge conduit, which may be created due to its extended length.

Abstract: An article carrier apparatus configured for use with a pneumatic article transport system comprises a tubular body, a first end cap attached to a first end of the tubular body, a second end cap attached to a second end of the tubular body and a first door pivotally attached to at least one of the first end cap and the tubular body. The first door is movable between an open position and a closed position with respect to an access opening in the first end cap. An interior space of the tubular body is accessible through the access opening of the first end cap when the first door is in the open position. The first door is at least partially disposed within the interior space of the tubular body when the first door is in the open position.

Abstract: A system for pneumatically conveying a bulk particulate material generally consisting of means for holding such material, having an inlet and an outlet; a first material transport line segment including a first conduit formed of a gas permeable material having an inlet communicating with the outlet of the holding means and an outlet, defining a material flow passageway, and a second conduit formed of a gas impermeable material spaced from and encompassing the first conduit, defining a plenum; a second material transport line segment including a first conduit formed of a gas permeable material having an inlet communicating with the outlet of the first conduit of the first segment, defining a continuation of the material flow passageway, and an outlet, and a second conduit section formed of a gas impermeable material spaced from and encompassing the first conduit thereof, defining a plenum; the second segment being displaceable relative to the first segment between a first position communicating the outlet of t

Abstract: A conveying arrangement for processing printed products, comprising a conveying section, a plurality of deposit trays on which the printed products are transported along the conveying section, the conveying section having an intake area where the printed products are fed to the deposit trays and a delivery area at an end region of the conveying section where the printed products are removed from the deposit trays, and a control mechanism for controlling a distance between respectively adjacent deposit trays in the intake area based on a thickness of the printed products.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for unloading and binding brick or other components include an infeed conveyor that delivers layers of brick to a transfer distribution carriage. The distribution carriage repositions the brick layers on either an outfeed conveyor or a tine conveyor. The layers of bricks carried by the outfeed conveyor are moved to where a tine layer is positioned on their upper surface. The tine conveyor divides the bricks into an arrangement of rows spaced apart to define openings for receiving a lifting or moving member, so that when the tine layer is positioned in a completed stack, enables movement of the stack by a forklift or other suitable moving means. Additional layer or layers are then positioned on the tine row on a packaging conveyor so that completed stacks are delivered to a package station that binds the stack of bricks or other components into an integrated structure.

Abstract: A modular plastic conveyor belt having an A-shaped edge portion in belt edge modules along each belt row for tight collapse of the belt at the inside of a turn. The A-shaped region comprises two alternating series of laterally spaced links, each extending from opposite ends of the edge module. Each of the first series of links forms an acute angle measured clockwise from the direction of belt travel. Each of the second series of links forms an acute angle measured counterclockwise from the direction of belt travel. The angles decrease monotonically with distance inward of the first side of the belt edge. Laterally extending webs join the ends of consecutive converging links along an end of the module. The lateral extent of the webs increases monotonically inward from a first side edge of the belt. A cross bars extends between each pair of web-joined links.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing granular material to a loading hopper preparatory to processing includes a receptacle receiving material prior to processing thereof by machinery supplied by the hopper with a top including a first valve for selectably connecting the receptacle to vacuum or ambient air, a conduit for drawing vacuum in the receptacle, a conduit for connecting the receptacle to a supply of the granular material, a second valve for selectably permitting material flow from the receptacle into the hopper, and a sensor control for temporarily adjustably closing the first valve and opening the second valve responsively to detected presence of a suitable amount of material in the receptacle.

Abstract: A reservoir for powdery media, in particular powder coating, comprises a housing having at least one inlet and at least one outlet for the powdery medium. A fluidising floor of porous, air-permeable material is located in the interior of the housing at a distance from its base. A pressure chamber which is chargeable with compressed air is located between the fluidising floor and the base of the housing. The outlet has the shape of an upwardly open funnel which is located in the lower partial zone of the housing adjacent to the fluidising floor. In this way well-mixed powdery medium the grain-size distribution of which corresponds to the maximum extent to that of the fluidised powdery medium inside the reservoir is always withdrawn.

Abstract: A reconfigurable pallet that supports a structure includes a base and a modular stanchion. The modular stanchion is magnetically attachable to the base along x and y axes relative to a top surface of the base. The modular stanchion includes a support element that has a height along a z axis that is transverse to the x and y axes. The support element supports the structure.

Abstract: The beads of a beaded conveyor belt for a curve conveyor are constituted by a number of bead constituting bodies (2b) that are disposed over the entire periphery of the outer surface along the outer peripheral edge of a belt main body (2a) and that are narrow in the direction of the length of the belt. Further, the beads of a beaded conveyor belt for a liner conveyor are constituted by a number of bead constituting bodies (7b) that are disposed over the entire periphery of the outer surface along opposite side edge of a belt main body (7a) and that are narrow in the direction of the length of the belt. The conveyor belt is installed taut between straight type end rollers (15), and the width of the bead constituting bodies (2b, 7b) lengthwise of the belt is set at about 20–60% of the diameter of the straight type end rollers (15). Even when the conveyor belt is installed taut between small-diameter end rollers, long-term use is possible.

Abstract: A hydraulic accelerator tube is provided for an improved hydraulic food cutting assembly. The accelerator tube is formed of polyurethane having a durometer hardness within the range of 20–70. It is encased within a clamshell housing which, when installed in the food cutting assembly, locks in position an inlet flange and an outlet flange which are formed integrally with the accelerator tube. Stiffening ribs are provided and are also formed integrally with the accelerator tube.

Abstract: For wafer processing, wafers are transferred between a thermal treatment chamber and a thermal treatment installation. The treatment chamber has a top section and a bottom section between which the wafer is accommodated during treatment. The thermal treatment installation has a loading chamber having loading means and transport means. The wafer is place on a wafer support while in the loading chamber, wherein the wafer support is configured as a ring having support elements to support the wafer. The wafer support loaded with the wafer is inserted into the thermal treatment chamber so that the wafer and the wafer support are positioned between the top section and the bottom section. The wafer is individually processed in the thermal treatment chamber. After processing the wafer, the wafer support is removed from the thermal treatment chamber.

Abstract: A supply holds a flattened box blank above a conveyor passing having a succession of box seats, and a planet carrier is rotated by its own drive about a sun axis between the supply and the conveyor. A single planetary element on the carrier offset from the sun axis is rotatable about a planet axis parallel to and offset from the sun axis. A grab on the planetary element is engageable with the blank in the supply and in the conveyor seats. A planet drive wheel is fixed to the planetary element, a sun wheel is rotatable about the sun axis, and the wheels are coupled together for joint synchronous rotation. A separate planetary drive connected to the sun wheel rotates the planetary element independently of the carrier such that the grab moves while orbiting about the sun axis through a closed asymmetric path having only two outer points.

Abstract: A first mounting unit and a second mounting unit capable of performing component holding, component recognition, and component placement for two boards independently of each other are provided. A first conveyance path for loading and unloading the first board, and a second conveyance path for loading and unloading the second board, are independently arranged.

Abstract: A storage box for a cargo bay of a vehicle including a conveyor on which items, e.g., tools and materials, are stored. The conveyor is actuatable to move the items in a pre-selected direction, preferably toward the side or rear of the vehicle cargo bay to provide easy access to the items. In another aspect, the storage box includes fold-out shelving. The shelving includes multiple panels hinged together. A first panel is hingedly connected to an intermediate panel, which is hingedly connected to a second panel, which is pivotally connected to the storage box. The panels are operable in (a) a collapsed mode, where the panels fold substantially vertically against one another, and (b) an extended mode, where the first panel moves outwardly to a substantially vertical position and the intermediate and pivot panel pivot downward to a substantially horizontal position.

Abstract: A package sorting conveyor apparatus comprising: a conveying track; a conveyor chute downstream from said conveying track; a speed control device for controlling the speed of packages in said chute; and at least one unloading station downstream from said conveyor chute. In the preferred embodiment, the package sorting conveyor apparatus comprises: a transition zone funnel for receiving packages from said conveying track and directing the package into said conveyor chute, said transition zone funnel including a positioner assembly for selectively positioning the outlet of said transition zone funnel between at least a first and a second position along at least two axes. Also in the preferred embodiment, the speed control device comprises: an attachment portion for attaching said speed control apparatus to a support structure; a package interface portion for contacting the packages; and an integral hinge between said attachment portion and said package interface portion.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transport of containers, in particular an airport baggage handling system, includes a conveyor having a curved transport path with one end defining an entry zone and another end defining an exit zone. The containers are moved by a container propulsion mechanism along the curved transport path between the entry and exit zones, wherein the curved transport path is constructed for movement of the containers in an inwardly inclined disposition for reducing centrifugal forces.