Abstract: A component conveyor which can spend sufficient time for picking and placing operation has low energy consumption, and the moving speed of the head is fast. In order to pick and place a component P, there are provided several movable heads 6 to 9, movable along a closed path, magnets 15a2 to 15d2 and coils 14a to 14d, both of which stop the head at the picking position and the placing position, and magnets 16a to 16d which transfer the kinetic energy of the moving head to the stopped head at the picking position or the placement position. By applying the initial velocity in the progress direction to at least one head, the kinetic energy is sequentially transmitted to the following head. A moving head is made to stop at a position of the preceding head. Thus, the kinetic energy of the moving head is transmitted to the stopped head. By using the repulsion effect, moving and stopping of the head is efficiently performed.

Abstract: In a control apparatus for a passenger conveyor, passenger detecting devices provided on balustrades distinguish and monitor the absence/presence of a passenger within first zones on an entrance gate side and an exit gate side including floor boards of the entrance gate side and the exit gate side, and the absence/presence of a passenger within second zones on the entrance gate side and the exit gate side adjacent to and beyond the first zones, covering the first zones. When a passenger is detected in the second zone on the entrance gate side in a standby mode, a mode switching circuit switches the operating mode to an intermediate mode, and when a passenger is detected in the first zone on the entrance gate side in the intermediate mode, the mode switching circuit switches the operating mode to a conveying mode.

Abstract: A first modular unit (1) for the fabrication of conveyors (2), said first modular unit (1) comprising an upper surface (3) and a lower surface (4) and means (5) along at least one, preferably two long sides (13) lying diametrically opposite each other, for pivotal hinging of the first modular unit (1) to a second modular unit (6), and where extending from the upper surface (3) said first modular unit (1) comprises a flat carrier (7) with a front surface (8) and a rear surface (9), an upper concluding end (10) and two side edges (11) lying opposite each other, the middle/center plane (12) of said carrier (7) standing substantially at right angles to the upper surface (3) and extending parallel with the long sides (13).

Abstract: A method and novel drive system for use in a continuous block caster for continuously casting metal is disclosed. In particular, a novel worm gear drive system which reduces imperfections that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying articles, especially sweets to be covered with a chocolate mass or a similar mass, includes a grid belt (1) including a plurality of straight bar portions (8) extending in a transverse direction with respect to a conveying direction (2). A plurality of meshes (9) interconnects the straight bar portions (8). A drive shaft (3) includes a plurality of gear wheels (4) being designed and arranged to engage the straight bar portions (8) and including disk-like enlargements (11) being located in a transverse direction with respect to the conveying direction (2) and in the region of the meshes (9). The disk-like enlargement (11) are designed and arranged to support the meshes (9). A motor is operatively connected to the drive shaft (3), and it is designed and arranged to drive the drive shaft (3) and to move the grid belt (1) in the conveying direction (2).

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for transporting items via an endless conveyor belt having at least one locking member. At least one interchangeable holder element is adapted to releasably interlock with the locking member provided on the conveyor belt, with the locking member exerting a downward force on the holder element when tension is applied to the belt in use. As a result, the holder element is preloaded against the outer surface of the belt. The preload is at least partially decreased when traveling in an arcuate path about the end pulleys of the conveyor system. Accordingly, the holder elements may easily be removed and replaced without adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A product transport system which is located predominantly within a chamber 10 (for example, an industrial oven chamber) and which comprises a pair of parallel, spaced apart conveyor chains 19. The conveyor chains are arranged to convey a plurality of transversely extending product support trays 15 through the chamber 10. Pairs of transversely spaced carriers 31 are provided to carry respective ones of the trays 15. Chain sprockets 20 are located within the chamber in alignment with the respective conveyor chains and the sprockets 20 are arranged to direct the respective conveyor chains through changes in direction (including through forward-and-return horizontal passes) within the chamber 10. Rotatable guide members 28 in the form of toothed wheels are positioned laterally adjacent to but out of alignment with respective ones of the chain sprockets 20, and a subsidiary chain drive is provided for driving each guide member 28 in synchronism with an adjacent one of the chain sprockets 20.

Abstract: A split roller 150 may be removed from an axle 104 without requiring access to the axle end. A split wheel hub 152 supports a plurality of peripheral rollers 180, which may be arranged in two rows spaced along the hub axis. In a preferred embodiment, the wheel hub comprises two asymmetric hub halves 134, 136 which are fastened together around an axle. Each roller in the second row may be spaced circumferentially between a pair of rollers in the first row. According to the method of the invention, the hub halves are assembled, preferably with some rollers in each of the first and second rows already mounted thereon. Other rollers in each row are then mounted to the assembled hub halves.

Abstract: A chain conveyor (2), for example a carousel forming an internal revolving stock for a machine (1) for a logistic installation such as for sorting flat objects or a baggage conveyor for an airport environment or similar, the chain of the conveyor (2) being composed of stretches of chain implemented from at least one fixed-length link, distinctly self-conveyed and guided in a guide rail (3), two adjacent stretches being connected notably by a link with variable and/or adjustable pitch, this conveyor having adjustment means (10) and detection means.

Abstract: An accumulation conveyor control system includes a number of accumulation zone conveyors, each equipped with a control module coupled with an electronically controlled clutch. The system includes one motor linked to each accumulation conveyor for driving of the conveyor rollers. The clutch links a drive roller on each conveyor with the motor via a drive member such as a chain. The control module controls operation of the conveyors by sensing the presence or absence of an article in the path of one or more of the article sensors. When the path is blocked signifying the presence of an article, the module sends a signal upstream and receives signals from downstream zones to control roller operation for each zone. The system allows a unitary installment of a number of zones using a single power source and without the need for mechanical devices such as trigger switches or PLCs.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic system and method of operating same for waste collection vehicles is provided where a closed center valve in conjunction with a positive displacement pump is used without the need for increasing engine RPM, thus significantly reducing vehicle noise during operation of the hydraulic system.

Abstract: A material processing plant e.g. a crusher or shredder (2) adapted to be suspended between a first wheeled unit (3) and a second wheeled unit (4) during transport, in which the first and second units have respective couplings, and in which the plant comprises: a plant frame; and front coupling and a rear coupling provided at the front and rear of the plant frame respectively; an arrangement of the front and rear couplings such that when the front coupling and the rear coupling of the plant frame are connected to the respective couplings of the first and second wheeled units, the plant (2) is suspended between the first and second units; and a lifting means (37) connected to one or both of the wheeled units (3,4), or to the plant frame, and operable to lift the plant for connecting the couplings of the plant frame to the respective couplings of the first and second wheeled units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotatable gripper device (1) for picking up and rotating products which are supplied on a conveyor belt. The device according to the invention comprises a gripper head (2, 3) which can rotate about a vertical central shaft (4) and has a gripping member (18) which can rotate about its axis. For upward and downward movement, the device comprises a first cam roller (6, 7) and cam discs (8), and for rotation about the axis comprises a second cam roller (9, 10) and cam disc (11). The device according to the invention is of a simple and relatively lightweight design, so that it is suitable for operating at high speeds. The gripper device according to the invention can be used to accurately set the rotational path of the gripping member (18) at the gripping position and the release position, by means of the shape of the cam disc, in order to produce a gradual transfer.

Abstract: A beltless magnetic conveyor assembly including a housing defining a longitudinal length of the conveyor and a magnetic rack assembly moveably supported in the housing. The magnetic rack assembly includes a plurality of magnet assemblies supported at spaced intervals relative to one another along the longitudinal length of the conveyor. The beltless magnetic conveyor assembly also includes a drive system which is operable to index the magnetic rack assembly between a home position proximate to one end of the housing and an end position which is proximate to an opposite end of the housing over the same path. The magnet assemblies are operable to generate a magnetic force which acts to attract ferromagnetic material toward the housing and to move the ferromagnetic material in the direction of the longitudinal length of the conveyor when the magnet rack assembly is indexed in one direction.

Abstract: A method and unit for forming, on a cartoning machine, a group having at least one row defined by a given number of products, whereby an orderly succession of products, traveling at a substantially constant first speed, is fed to conveyor traveling at a substantially constant second speed greater than the first speed; a leading product in the succession is braked on the conveyor until a portion of the succession corresponding to the row being formed moves onto the conveyor; and the leading product in the row is then released gradually to accelerate the row up to the second speed and detach the row from the rest of the succession.

Abstract: A director assembly for selectively directing a transport carrier from one conveyor path portion to another. The director assembly having a pair of spaced director rails positioned below and in between drive and support rails of the conveyor. The pair of spaced director rails can be selectively raised and rotated and then lowered to direct the carrier to the new path portion.

Abstract: An assembly for conveying stacked documents includes a conveying surface extending along the conveying path and a conveyor roller that is suspended opposite to the conveying surface for movement between positions at different distances from the conveying surface. In the operating condition, the conveyor roller exerts a press-on force. The assembly also includes a transmission for driving the conveyor roller. The transmission is coupled with the conveyor roller in such a manner that if a couple is exerted on the conveyor roller in the conveying sense, a force directed against this press-on force is exerted on the conveyor roller. As a result, the temporary increase of the couple and the temporary reduction of the circumferential speed of the conveyor roller is limited.

Abstract: A rail member and a rodless cylinder are arranged closely substantially in parallel to one another, and shock absorbers and the rail member are arranged closely substantially in parallel to one another. Accordingly, it is possible to arrange, in an ideal layout, the three components of the rail member, the rodless cylinder, and the shock absorbers. Further, it is possible to realize a compact size of the entire apparatus.

Abstract: Signatures (1) are individually gripped from a stack (2) by a rotatable extracting cylinder (A) and transferred to a first rotating opening cylinder (B) and a second rotating opening cylinder (C) which open the gripped signatures (1) at the edges (4, 5) opposite from the fold (3) and drop the signatures onto the transport device (6). To open and transport the signatures (1) onward, the signatures (1) are gripped at their respective protruding edge (5) by a clamping device (48) disposed on the first opening cylinder (B). Projections are provided which catch behind the above-referenced edges (4, 5) in the extracting cylinder (A) and transfer the edges to the clamping device (48). These projections include a guide arm (7) which is movably supported on the first opening cylinder (B) and moves in response to a rotation of the first opening cylinder (B) from a retracted position into a position projecting over the circumference (27) of the first opening cylinder (B).

Abstract: A drag conveyor consists of a uniquely-configured trough and correspondingly-shaped outer edges of chain-driven paddles which enable the trough construction to provide physical support for a return of the chain. The cross-sectional shape of the trough further restricts the paddles from tending toward lifting above the trough bottom and climbing or twisting as they carry material toward the outlet end of the conveyor. The paddle shape results in a self-cleaning conveyor, even enabling handling of materials heretofore not feasible with conventional U-shaped trough conveyors. Elimination of obstructing idler sprockets and cross shafts of the prior art enables a productivity increase of as much as 15% for the same designated size of conveyor.