Abstract: A disc retarding conveyor comprises at least one continuous tractive element. At least two-part static plates are mounted on the tractive element. The static plates are separated from each other at a distance in the tractive direction. The static plates are divided in the cross-sectional plane of the tractive element into two preferably identical halves. Each half has a radial cut hole which permits the halves of the static plate to be mounted concentrically onto the tractive element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning an article having opposed ends at least one of which is flat and an irregular surfaced body portion between the ends so that the article can stably rest on the flat end including feeding one or more of such articles to a substantially horizontal support surface in random orientation and imparting a simultaneous back-and-forth and side-to-side motion on the surface with the resulting forces on each article created by such motion causing each article to seek a stable position bringing each article to rest on the flat end of the article.