Abstract: A method of fabricating a transmit/receive (T/R) module utilizing low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) material in place of high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) material and utilizing a combination of multiple lamination steps which also include forming a ceramic frame, as opposed to a metal ring frame, in the process. Brazing metallization is also utilized to attach heat sinks and lids as well as pin connectors. The formation of the pin connectors is provided on the side surface of the T/R module with a side printing process.

Abstract: A continuous haulage system, including a belt adapted to convey material, said belt being suspended from supporting means by hanging members located along each opposing longitudinal edge of said belt, wherein the hanging member has a hook-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A lift apparatus for conveying, lifting and at least partially inverting a refuse container for emptying into a dumpster or a refuse receptacle. The apparatus preferably has a base with wheels and a handle to facilitate transport. In one embodiment, the handle telescopes vertically and is hook shaped and adapted for engaging the lip of a dumpster or garbage chute. A pair of offset pivot arms is pivotally mounted to the frame and to a bin carriage, into which a refuse receptacle may be received. Application of a pivoting force to the pivot arms lifts and at least partially inverts the bin carriage for emptying the refuse container. Preferably a damper is provided on bin carriage movement as well as a locking mechanism to prevent bin carriage movement while being conveyed. The device may be operated manually, or adapted with mechanical power output devices to simplify lifting.

Abstract: A transport assembly and method for containers includes an actuator arm coupled to the drive shaft of a motor and extending radially therefrom so as to be driven between two angular positions. A load arm carries a transport head that releasably engages a selected container at a first station. The load arm is coupled to the actuator arm and is driven in conjunction with a constraining mount that controls its motion. The transport head can grip the container such as with a vacuum. The transport head lifts the container from a first station, moves it to a desired location and places it in a second station. A cam-driven plunger assembly is also shown and operates to seat the container in the second station. The method includes steps performed by this structure, and the application of a seating force to mate a container in the second station.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated, beltless conveyor assembly includes a housing, a drive system supported by the housing and a transport tray also operatively supported by the housing. A drive system includes a seal-less pneumatic engine which acts to drive the transport tray in repeated, rectilinear fashion to advance materials supported on the transport tray in the direction of the length of the tray.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for controlling a dynamic scale, the conveying speed of a conveyor belt for items of mail in the dynamic operating mode is independent of the format of the pieces of mail. During dynamic weighing, a controller of the scale deactivates the normal speed regulation for a DC motor and an unregulated pulsed voltage is applied to the DC motor. By an interaction of the motor with a tensioning device for a defined setting of the conveyor belt tension and due to a vibration-damped structure of the conveying arrangement of the scale, the conveying speed changes dependent on the weight of the piece of mail in a measuring time range.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus is provided for transferring a workpiece from a moving anvil to a moving carrier. The apparatus comprises: a support structure comprising a support member rotatable about a first axis, and a workpiece gripping structure mounted to the support structure comprising at least one workpiece gripping member having a workpiece-receiving surface. The gripping member is rotatable about a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis such that the gripping member is capable of being rotated about the second axis during transfer of a workpiece from the moving anvil to the workpiece-receiving surface. The workpiece gripping member is also rotatable about a third axis substantially transverse to the first and second axes so as to be capable of rotating the workpiece from a first angular position at the anvil to a second angular position.

Abstract: A system and method for returning empty luggage carts over long distances from a remote collecting station to a retrieval station in a passenger terminal, where they may be retrieved by arriving passengers for the transportation of their luggage to parking lots, cab and bus loading areas, etc. A plurality of carts are inserted in nested arrangement into a load-in station. The carts are engaged individually, separated from the nested arrangement, and transported individually, in spaced-apart relation along a series of transport conveyor sections, changing elevations as appropriate and extending around curves as required to reach a discharge and retrieval station near the terminal luggage discharge area.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a conveyor system for transporting a workpiece. The conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a carrier plate. The drive assembly includes a frame, a drive belt, and a drive mechanism supported by the frame and engaging the drive belt. The carrier plate is adapted to support a workpiece and is disposed on the drive belt to move with the drive belt.

Abstract: Containers are transferred from a first conveyor operating at a first height to a second conveyor operating at a second height by a rotary unit equipped with a plurality of grippers designed to take up and support each successive container by the neck. The grippers are carried by respective slides mounted to corresponding vertical guide elements making up the main frame of the unit, on which they are made to move up and down cyclically by a first roller following a first track that extends around a fixed C-shaped tubular element, and by a second roller running on a second track presented by the top surface of a sector rail placed with the concave side directed toward the lateral opening in the C-shaped tubular element. The tubular element is easily replaced in the event of a size changeover.

Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module having an embedded high-strength fastener for securely fastening an assortment of attachment elements. A fastener, such as a nut, or threaded insert, is press-fit into a countersunk hole that extends through the thickness of the module and opens onto top and bottom surfaces. Attachment hardware, such as a bolt or screw, extends from the attachment element into the embedded fastener to secure the attachment to the module.

Abstract: A footwear article conveyer includes an article-conveying line for receiving carriers thereon, a first driving unit for driving the carriers to move simultaneously along the article-conveying line, a carrier-returning line separate from the article-conveying line, a first shifting unit for shifting one of the carriers from one end of the article-conveying line to one end of the carrier-returning line, a second driving unit for driving carrier movement along the carrier-returning line, and a second shifting unit for shifting carriers from the other end of the carrier-returning line to the other end of the article-conveying line.

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 method of retrofitting a magnetic centerguide to a grid. The grid is of the type adapted to carry a pan along a path defined by a conveyor to which the grid is attached. The centerguide is of bifurcated construction which is split at one or both ends of its structure in order to allow it to be maneuvered about the grid structure for partial assembly. After being partly assembled, a fastener secures the bifurcated portion together to provide a magnetic centerguide in which the underside of a magnet is attracted to and thereby guides a pan when placed on the grid.

Abstract: A diverting system for displacing articles from a conveying surface including a diverter blade adapted to be rotated about a rotary axis from a retracted position along the edge of the conveying surface to an extended position to displace the articles, the diverter blade having a pusher surface spaced apart from the rotary axis by a connecting portion of the blade. A section of the connecting portion located immediately downstream of the rotary axis extends away from the edge in the blade's retracted position to form a void, so that when the blade is in an extended position for diverting a leading (downstream) article, the presence of the void prevents contact between the diverter blade and a trailing (upstream) article. The trailing article can travel downstream past the axis even while the blade is in the extended position. Thus, the trailing article can be positioned closer to the leading article without risk of contacting the blade, thereby increasing the throughput of the system.

Abstract: An improved combination of a powered combine carrying a combine grain bin for housing harvested grain and a towed grain cart carrying a grain cart bin for housing harvested grain includes improved harvested grain transfer between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin and improved off-loading of harvested grain from the combination. A generally horizontally disposed first grain movement assembly is pivotally connected within the combine grain bin and pivotally connected within the grain cart bin and disposed for reciprocally transporting grain between the combine grain bin and the grain cart bin. A generally vertically disposed second grain movement assembly is cooperatively operable with the first grain movement assembly for transferring grain from the grain cart bin to the first grain movement assembly and thence to the combine grain bin. An off-loading grain movement assembly is disposed for off-loading grain only from the combine grain bin.

Abstract: A system and method for singulating loads are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of similarly configured load manipulation cells arranged to form an array. Each cell has a generally planar upper surface and an actuation system configured for operation independent of the actuation systems of the other cells. The system further includes a sensing system operable to identify the general location of loads positioned on the array and a controller configured to receive input from the sensing system and send commands to the actuation systems to singulate the loads positioned on the array. The controller is configured to process loads received in a continuous flow.

Abstract: A placing apparatus having first and second rear end holding members is provided between a loading apparatus that loads items in an upright position and a conveyance apparatus downstream. These rear end holding members move making a box motion when seen from the side. As a result, while the first rear end holding member holds the rearmost end of a group of items, the second rear end holding member stands by to receive a new item. The invention provides a conveyance apparatus and a boxing apparatus comprising the same that have widespread applicability. The conveyance apparatus and boxing apparatus, while achieving high-speed processing, are able to convey items of varying thickness and grouped in varying numbers in a stable manner and maintained in a prescribed position.

Abstract: A device for carrying out a sequence of working steps on travelling work station wagons comprising an oval track wherein said work station wagons are circulating, wherein said wagons comprise at least one detachable connection element connected to a circulating chain which moves said wagons; at least one insertion and at least one removal guide track is provided on the outside of said oval track, wherein said at least one insertion and at least one removal guide track comprises a transfer point to which the chain is allocated; at least one coupling element is further provided at each transfer point via which the wagons may be coupled into the guide tracks on the side opposite of the side of said wagons comprising at least one detachable element, with at least one switchable points element located on said guide track, which during the insertion position, release said at least one coupling element and bring about the engagement of said detachable connection element to said chain or during the removal position,

Abstract: A module for a modular conveyor belt, is described. The module is of a sandwich layer construction having a core polymeric material completely surrounded by a skin polymeric material. The skin material includes an antimicrobial material for inhibiting bacterial growth on the module, and the conveyor belt is particularly useful for conveying and transporting foods including food processing and food handling applications.