Abstract: Structure and method for maintaining side-by-side belt modules aligned in a belt row of a modular conveyor belt in the absence of a hinge pin along at least a portion of one end of the belt row. Mating engagement structure on confronting sides of side-by-side modules maintains the modules in alignment. One version of mating engagement structure includes a protrusion, such as a rectangular pad, extending from a side of a belt module and a mating receptacle formed at the confronting side of an adjacent side-by-side module. The receptacle is defined by discontinuous wall structure forming a gap opening toward the top or bottom surface of the module. The modules are put together by sliding the protrusion into the receptacle through the gap in the wall structure. When modules with the mating engagement structure are interconnected side by side by a hinge pin through the hinge eyes along one end, the modules remain aligned despite the absence of a hinge pin interconnecting the hinge eyes on the opposite end.

Abstract: With an article transfer apparatus 1 of the present invention, when a negative pressure is applied on an air outlet 20 in a non-attracting state, the amount of air that is sucked through suction holes 6 in a front attracting section 2f is greater than the amount of air that is sucked through suction holes 7 in a rear attracting section 2b. Therefore, the suction amount through the front attracting section 2f is increased while reducing the suction loss of the attracting pad 2, thereby improving the reliability of the attraction operation.

Abstract: A bend segment for the track of a chain conveyor comprising at least two spaced, preferably flexible rails (4, 5) forming a track for the carrying surface of chain links (30), permanent magnets arranged below the track of the chain and flexible guide rails (11, 12) for guiding the return part of the chain, a number of supporting elements for supporting the rails being provided, which supporting elements are spaced in the conveying direction of the conveyor, the permanent magnets being accommodated in chambers (24, 24′) formed in an elongate, preferably flexible strip which is also supported on the supporting elements. The invention enables inexpensive manufacture of a bend segment of different lengths and radii.

Abstract: A differential motion conveyor drive includes at least three pairs of drive shafts carrying eccentric weights that are selected to correspond to the terms of a Fourier series in order to achieve optimal conveying speed and efficiency. To approximate the Fourier series terms, in one preferred embodiment, each of the first pair of shafts carries a weight and rotates at a predetermined operating speed &ohgr;. Each of the second pair of shafts carries a smaller weight and rotates at an operating speed 2&ohgr;, and each of the third pair of shafts carries an even smaller weight and rotates at an operating speed 3&ohgr;. An appropriate weight distribution results in a differential motion conveyor drive that consistently produces a higher conveying speed compared to that produced by a prior art drive throughout a range of operating speeds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a manufacturing system comprising a plurality of cell conveyers being supplied with a variety of pallets and products through an input section thereof, on which the products are firstly assembled; a main conveyer whereto the firstly assembled products are conveyed from said cell conveyers in a state that the firstly assembled products are loaded on the pallet, on which the products are finally assembled; and a return conveyer for returning the pallets to the input section of the cell conveyers after assembly process of the product is completed on the main conveyer. The pallets are supplied into the input section of the cell conveyers and then returned to the input section of the cell conveyers through the main conveyer and the return conveyer. The variety of products are firstly assembled on the cell conveyers respectively and then conveyed to the main conveyer to be finally assembled. The variety of products are output through an output section of the main conveyer.

Abstract: A feeder conveyor belt system applies force to the upper surface of objects and assists in moving the objects over a planar surface. The feeder conveyor belt is mounted on a suspension system which allows the feeder conveyor belt to adjust to the contour of objects being transported.

Abstract: The present invention is an edge grip aligner with buffering capabilities and a method for increasing the throughput of wafers through the device. According to one embodiment, the present invention has first and second buffer arms, and a chuck arm. A workpiece can be aligned while supported on the chuck arm. Once the workpiece is aligned, the chuck arm transfers the workpiece to the buffer arms so that a second workpiece can be aligned on the chuck arm. While the second workpiece is being aligned, an end effector can transfer the first workpiece away from the buffer arms and retrieve another workpiece to place upon the chuck arm.

Abstract: A sideboard assembly for an infeed system of a waste processing machine includes a sideboard for attachment to a sidewall of the infeed system of the waste processing machine. The sideboard assembly also includes a plurality of fasteners for removably attaching the sideboard to the sidewall of the infeed system of the waste processing machine.

Abstract: The passage of a container along a conveyor is lubricated by applying to at least a portion of the container-contacting surface of the conveyor or to at least a portion of the conveyor-contacting surface of the container a coating comprising a hydrophilic material wherein the lubricating properties of the coating are enhanced by contact with a polar liquid; polymerizing or otherwise solidifying the coating; and contacting the coating with such polar liquid. If desired, the coating can be applied or polymerized on the conveyor or container while the conveyor line is in motion.

Abstract: A novel and advantageous carrier mechanism, primarily useful for raising roofing shingle bundles, automatically by control by the user to lift and carry one or more of the shingle bundles or other items. A frame carries a plurality of co-operating features, including a driving mechanism, an electric motor, a pair of chains and their sprockets, and when one of the shelf brackets gets to a top dead center position, the object falls in an orderly fashion due to a baffle, with succeeding shelf brackets sequentially reaching the top dead center position. The mechanism s is provided to have a sort of “stop and go” operativity, providing a safety control. Safety is further provided by a cam mechanism which assures only an upward direction when carrying a bundle. Safety is further achieved by an angle bar gutter guard, preventing undue bending, leakage, or other damage to the gutter.

Abstract: Conveyor system accessories are disclosed, which provide an inexpensive way to stage, stockpile and/or sort work pieces and provides easy entry to and exit from a main conveyor. In particular, a trolley or trolleys that carry work pieces ride on the conveyor rail above the chain or intermesh with the chain on the inside of the track. These accessories are used with single track continuous conveyor systems, which greatly enhances the productivity of the single track system by permitting work pieces to be taken off-line without taking the work piece off a load pendant.

Abstract: In order to prevent deformations, cracks and breakages of thin-walled ceramic honeycomb shaped bodies upon conveying them, a system for conveying such ceramic shaped bodies and cradles used for the system are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the transport of workpieces (W), in particular of suspended, panel-shaped workpieces (W), such as sheets or plates. This apparatus has at least one rotationally driven conveyor belt (1, 2) for the workpieces (W) to be laid onto the latter and a holding device (3), past which the conveyor belt (1, 2) is led. The holding device (3) retains the workpieces (W) on the conveyor belt (1, 2) by means of a magnetic field passing through the latter (1, 2) and/or by generating a vacuum at suction orifices (4) of the conveyor belt (1, 2). The holding device (3) possesses at least one magnetic device (3a), with a magnetic conveyor belt (1), and at least one vacuum device (3b) separated from this and having a vacuum conveyor belt (2). The magnetic device (3a) and/or the vacuum device (3b) can be displaced with their respective conveyor belt (1, 2) relative to a common reference member (5) and can be brought into contact with the workpieces (W) to be transported.

Abstract: Bolt fasteners extend through a bottom wall (38) in longitudinal guide beams (14), to secure the guide beams (14) to transverse frame members (70, 72). The guide beams (14) include sidewalls (40, 42) which extend upwardly from the bottom wall (30) to laterally outwardly extending top flanges (44, 46). The bolts may be installed from above by use of a tool that is inserted into the space between the sidewalls (40, 42). After the guide beams (14) are secured to the frame members (70, 72), bearing/seal members (48) are friction-fitted onto the tops of the support beams (14). Conveyor slats are installed in the spaces between the support beams (14). The conveyor slats (10) include side portions (20, 22) which extend laterally outwardly into positions above the bearing/seal members (48). The side members (20, 22) include downwardly extending beads B which contact the upper surfaces (62) of the bearing/seal members (48).

Abstract: A lubricating device incorporated in an escalator step of an escalator or in a moving walkway plate of a moving walkway, has lubrication points formed by lubricating siding pads or brushes which are arranged at the escalator step or the moving walkway plate and which project slightly beyond the side edges of the escalator step or the moving walkway plate. The pads or brushes have a bore through which the lubricant is transferred to base plates forming lateral boundaries for the steps or plates.

Abstract: A workpiece transfer for a decorating machine includes transport conveyors for carrying workpieces to the decorating machine and from the decorating machine. The conveyors support each of the workpieces such that an elongated longitudinal axis of each workpiece is vertically orientated. The decorating machine has a decorator conveyor with spaced workpiece carriers to support a workpiece for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the workpiece in a horizontal orientation. A plurality of workpiece grippers pivotally supported by a drive hub support the workpieces during movement of the longitudinal axis thereof between the vertical orientation and the horizontal orientation. A drive shaft is secured to the drive hub to rotate about an axis forming acute angles with the longitudinal axis of a workpiece in each of the horizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. The acute angles are preferably 45°.

Abstract: A paper sorting device for an image forming apparatus is capable of sorting printed paper in a zigzag pattern. The paper sorting device for the image forming apparatus has a rotating shaft which is rotated by a driving force from a driving force source, a hollow shaft into which the rotating shaft is slidably inserted so that the hollow shaft rotates with, and is reciprocated on, the rotating shaft, and reciprocating means for reciprocating the hollow shaft. Since printed paper is ejected by the reciprocating movement, the paper is automatically sorted in a zigzag pattern.

Abstract: A rotary orienting feeder is configured for singulating/orienting bulk volumes of articles. The feeder includes a rotatably driven feed disc, and a rotatably driven orienting bowl assembly which is positioned generally about the feed disc. The feed disc is driven about an axis which angularly intersects an axis about which the bowl is driven, whereby during operation articles are transferred from the feed disc to an upper flange portion of the bowl assembly. An outer guide fence, which may be provided with suitable tooling, cooperates with the bowl and the articles carried thereby to effect singulation/orientation. Economical and versatile manufacture and operation are achieved by forming an outer bowl of the orienting bowl assembly of non-metallic material, such as polymeric resin. Reduced weight, reduced power consumption, quieter operation, and gentler part handling are desirably achieved.

Abstract: A leadframe loader having a magnetic latch of predefined strength connecting a drive arm mechanism and a pusher system is the preferred embodiment of a transport loader. The amount of force applied to a pusher blade is set to a level below that where a leadframe, or other device to be pushed would be damaged by selecting the size and strength of a magnetic latch attached to the drive arm. The magnet is designed to break away from the steel coupling structure on the pusher when the force exceeds a preset value, and stops the movement before damage to the leadframe occurs. Calculated values were verified by physical testing, and a safety margin assigned to insure release of the magnet prior to bending leadframes. The system is assimilated into different pieces of semiconductor assembly equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety arrangement in a package turning device. The package turning device is of the type which turns selected packages which are conveyed on a conveyor path through the package turning device. The package turning device essentially comprises a piston and cylinder assembly whose piston rod is disposed to move parallel with the conveyor path, a turning member and a gripping member. The safety arrangement includes an anchorage disposed on the piston rod of the piston and cylinder assembly, and a bracket. The bracket is disposed to support the turning member and the gripping member. The anchorage and the bracket are united in spring-biased fashion and enclose between them a cavity. An incoming air conduit and an outgoing air conduit are connected to the cavity. A pressure guard is disposed on the outgoing air conduit. The cavity is closed in the normal operation of the package turning device.