Abstract: A sanitizer dispenser unit is mounted on escalator handrails, moving walkway railing or any revolving handrail. It would mount either on the in-going or out-going portion of the handrail, and would continuously sanitize the surface of the handrail with a micromist and be easily refillable by maintenance personnel.

Abstract: An improvement to finishing machines that are used to orient objects. The finishing machine includes a hopper for receiving loose objects, such as lids, and an endless belt for extracting the lids from the hopper. The belt moves vertically upwards with the lids and sorts the lids automatically, such that only correctly-oriented lids are retained.

Abstract: A personal food conveyor apparatus comprises a frame which provides for clamping to a table at the bottom end. The clamp is operated by a thumbscrew. The bottom of the frame further comprises a step which allows for a plate to fit closely to and under the leading edge of the frame bottom. The top of the frame comprises a landing platform for food. A user moves food from the plate to the conveyor ramp. The non-slip surface of the ramp delivers the food to the landing platform from whence the user can move food into their mouth. A switch on the side of the frame provides on/off ramp function. The conveyor assembly is removable from the frame, and is further capable of disassembly. The removability and disassembly provide for easy cleaning and for any needed parts replacement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. A valveless conduit provides particle communication from the upper zone to the middle zone and a valved conduit provides particle communication from the middle zone to the lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through the conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the middle zone, the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduit, and the valve in the valved conduit.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for transferring particles from an upper zone through an intermediate zone to a lower zone. The transfer of particles between the zones through valveless conduits is regulated by varying the pressure of the intermediate zone and the flow rate of gas passing through the valveless conduits. A container within the second zone is in particle communication with a valveless conduit and provides more consistent particle flows.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: A belt conveyor comprising a telescopic frame (1), an endless conveyor belt (9) which is supported by idlers (12) connected to the frame (1), a drawing drum (10), and a tilting drum (11), via which the conveyor belt (9) is arranged to run, and an actuator (14) mounted to the frame (1) for changing the length of the frame (1). The frame of the belt conveyor comprises frame blocks (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g) installed to each other in a slidable manner and a lattice mechanism (20) installed to them in a pivotal manner to effect a change in the length of the belt conveyor as a result of the operation of the actuator (14). The frame blocks (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g) comprise at least one frame pipe (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g), wherein at least one frame block (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g) comprises a supporting beam (4a, 4b, 4b? 4c, 4d, 4d?, 4e, 4f, 4g) connected to at least one frame pipe (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2f, 2g, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g).

Abstract: A belt scraper tensioning assembly attaches to a belt conveyor machine to bias a scraper blade toward a conveyor belt. The tensioning assembly is fully assembled prior to mounting to the belt conveyor. The tensioning assembly comprises a mounting plate with a central opening and a cylindrical bearing housing connected to the mounting plate coaxial with the central opening. A cylindrical bearing is positioned within the bearing housing. A tensioning arm extends radially from a cylindrical sleeve. A portion of the cylindrical sleeve is pivotally mounted within the cylindrical bearing. The cylindrical sleeve is positionable over and connectable to a shaft carrying a belt scraper such that the tensioning arm pivots as the shaft rotates. A stationery arm is connected to the mounting plate and extends along a horizontal axis of the mounting plate. The stationery arm includes an elongate slot.

Abstract: A conveyor for orienting and feeding small parts has a platform elevator conveying mechanism on one side of an inclined collecting surface that feeds small parts to a conveying trough at a higher elevation. The conveying trough has a horizontal stationary storage platform and a movable pivoting platform that can pivot about an axis located at a delivery end of the conveying trough, between a position parallel to the storage platform and a position inclined to the horizontal. The storage platform is adjacent to the platform elevator conveying mechanism and has a storage surface inclined downward toward the pivoting platform, and the pivoting platform has a hollow throat adjacent to the edge of the storage platform.

Abstract: A pneumatic tube transport system for grossly irregular shaped objects is disclosed. The system comprises a pneumatic tube and a series of one or more flexible, sealable bags adapted to contain the objects to be transported. The bags may be fenestrated, but, if desired, the bags can be designed and manufactured so that when they are filled and sealed, they can assume a generally inflated shape. The bags can be made out of a thin material such as that found in a grocery store produce section or check out area. A bag providing apparatus can be supplied either to the individual picker in the field or to the region near the entry to the pneumatic tube. If desired, an inflating device and a bag sealing device can be provided. After placement of the object(s) into the bag these devices can inflate and the seal the bag and then allow for its quick release and deposition at the entry end of the pneumatic tube.

Abstract: A substrate transfer apparatus and a method of driving the same includes a first guide block and a second guide block, and a single ball screw shaft connected to the first and second guide blocks moves the guide blocks in an axial direction thereof. A first drive unit rotates the ball screw shaft to concurrently move the pair of guide blocks, and a second drive unit connected to the second guide block separately moves the second guide block with respect to the first guide block.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: A panel-carrying-out apparatus used for conveying panels ejected from a press machine includes: a semicircular sorting conveyor adapted to be driven switchably in a normal direction or a reverse direction; and a pair of straight conveyors respectively disposed at ends of the sorting conveyor. Each of the panels from the press machine is mounted on the center position of the sorting conveyor in terms of a conveying path. Specifically, an arced conveyor included in the sorting conveyor, on which each of the panels is initially mounted, is adapted to be driven switchably in the normal direction or the reverse direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for applying tension to vertical conveyor belts. A combination of force stabilizing devices, force adjusting devices, movable plates and pivoting levers allows adjustment of the tension applied to the vertical conveyor belt. The levered tensioning allows the vertical conveyor belt to positioned in closed proximity with another conveyor or object.

Abstract: An improved pneumatic particulate conveyance system including a particulate diffuser plate is disclosed. The assembly includes a pipeline with one or more particulate inlets for introducing solid particulates to a prime mover, wherein the pipeline has at least one particulate diffuser plate located within the pipeline. The particulate diffuser plate has a length which runs parallel to the prime mover and occludes at least a portion of a particulate inlet so as to increase the surface area exposed to the conveying air, thus resulting in a more efficient momentum transfer to the particulate. The plate used in the assembly further includes an arcuate trailing edge so as to encourage more particulate falling into the middle (i.e., the higher velocity portion of the profile) of the prime mover.

Abstract: A tensioning assembly for use in an aero-mechanical conveyor for moving bulk materials. The conveyor includes upper and lower housings having head and tail pulley assemblies mounted therein. The tensioning assembly includes first and second extendable tubes that define sections of inflow and outflow conveyor tubes that interconnect the upper and lower housings. An endless rope assembly is disposed within the conveyor tubes and around the head and tail pulleys. An adjustable actuator is positioned in cooperative engagement with the first and second extendable tubes. When the actuator is in a first position, the extendable tubes have a first length and when the actuator is in a second position, the extendable tubes have a second length. The actuator is configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to changes in tension within the endless rope assembly as indicated by a signal from a tension measuring device.

Abstract: A method for conveying material by applying a pressure difference in a conveying conduit (4), in which method the material is fed into the conveying conduit (4) and in the conveying conduit further into a separating device (5), where the material being conveyed is separated from conveying air, in which method a negative pressure is created in the conveying conduit (4) by means of an ejector apparatus (6), whose suction side is connected to the separating device (5), said ejector apparatus being operated using an operating medium consisting of a liquid mist, especially an aqueous liquid mist, said medium being sprayed through at least one spraying nozzle (122) into an ejector tube (128) directed into a separating element (38). In the method, the generation of the negative pressure to be produced is intensified according to need by limiting the flow of gases, such as air, into the ejector tube (128) from the direction opposite to the spraying direction of its operating medium, i.e.

Abstract: An improved conveyor assembly includes a conveyor belt for conveying a product to one or more product operations is disclosed. Such conveyor assembly includes a pair of spaced apart side frames that support the conveyor belt and between which the conveyor belt rotates. The side frames are formed from an upstanding member and a inwardly extending horizontal member. Both the frame upstanding member and the frame horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. One or more L-shaped brackets are formed from a generally upstanding member and an inwardly extending member. Both the bracket upstanding member and the bracket horizontal member carry a series of elongated slots. The bracket horizontal member slots are configured to overlay the frame elongate horizontal member slots, and the bracket upstanding member slots are configured to overlay the frame upstanding member slots for attaching components to the frames.

Abstract: A vacuum modulating air control valve includes a valve body with air intake ports, an output port, and a valve throat. A valve member is slidably mounted within the valve body between open positions relative to the valve throat and a closed position, to which the valve member is urged by a valve spring. A pneumatic cylinder has a piston forming a vacuum chamber and has a piston rod connected to the valve member. The output port is connected to a feedpoint of a vacuum conveying system, and the vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum line communicating with the vacuum conveying system. A vacuum level within the vacuum chamber retracts the valve member from the throat, thereby admitting ambient air into the vacuum conveying system to control a material-to-air ratio within the system.

Abstract: A concrete rebound shield and method of use is disclosed. The concrete rebound shield includes a bell defining an opening adapted to receive a feed hose. A collar nests within the opening of the bell and attaches to the feed hose such as to retain the bell onto the feed hose. The bell is adapted to substantially surround the feed hose and direct hydrated concrete toward a selected area.