Abstract: A dining table top conveyor having a flat base of rectangular/oval shape and flat endless belt guided over two flanged pulleys. One pulley is electrically driven by a variable speed geared motor and other is an idler and belt tensioning pulley. The flat belt has special steel hooks riveted into it, and it engages with a steel bracket on serving bowl holder plates. These plates are made of heat resistant material like cork or heat resistant plastic and move around on top of the table following the belt. On top of these plates are placed the serving bowls containing food items. As the serving bowls/pots go around the table, diners serve themselves as the bowl passes in front of them. Also at each end of the conveyor are two beverage dispensers which can swivel 330 degrees and extend in and out to self serve beverages. Under the table is a beverage container pressurized by a mini-air compressor and a small motor control panel.

Abstract: Sheet joggler system with an inlet roller pair (70, 70'), an outlet roller pair (71, 71'), sheet guides (48, 49) determining a curved sheet path between these roller pairs, a sheet supporting plate (65) between the inlet roller pair and the sheet guides, a sheet stop (72) at the lower end of said plate, and lateral sheet aligning members (66, 67).

Abstract: A conveyor roller for supporting conveyor belts is of simple construction and incorporates five main elements. There is an outer cylindrical member on which the conveyor belt rides in use and an axial hollow shaft extending axially of the roller. At each end of the assembly is a housing member attached to the cylindrical member and a central fixed member between which the axial shaft extends and which is attached thereto. A bearing is located between the housing member and the fixed member in each case and these parts are also sealed in relation to one another. The fixed member is an integral unit having a stub shaft at one axial end for connection to the axial shaft and, at the other end, means for supporting the roller on fixed supports. The fixed member also extends outwardly to adjacent the cylindrical member. The roller is simple to construct and assemble using simple components.

Abstract: An infeed assembly for use with an air conveyor system. The infeed assembly has a guide mechanism configured for engaging an article, such as a lightweight plastic bottle, and guiding it as it is conveyed through the conveyor system, a plurality of air jet conveyor nozzles, a plenum in fluid communication with the conveyor nozzles for forcing pressurized air through the conveyor nozzles and adjacent the guide mechanism in a manner to push the article downstream along the guide mechanism from an inlet end of the guide mechanism to an outlet end of the guide mechanism. The infeed assembly comprises an article alignment mechanism, at least one air jet infeed nozzle adjacent the article alignment mechanism, and at least one conduit providing fluid communication between the plenum and the infeed nozzle. The article alignment mechanism is positionable adjacent the inlet end of the guide mechanism and is configured for directing the article into the inlet end of the guide mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder includes a paper supply inlet and a first paper ejection outlet disposed above the paper supply inlet, a paper supply path for leading a document supplied from the paper supply inlet to a reading section, and a paper ejection path for leading the document from the reading section to the first paper ejection outlet. The automatic document feeder further includes a circulation path situated between the paper ejection path and the paper supply path for reversing a transfer direction of the document, and a document reversing path connected between the paper ejection path and a second paper ejection outlet different from the first paper ejection outlet for reversing front and rear surfaces of the document. The transfer direction as well as the front and rear surfaces of the document can be changed, as desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a continuous revolving conveyor belt (4) having a connecting region (8). The connecting region (8) is monitored with the aid of two transponders (12) and (14). One of the transponders is arranged forward of the connecting region (8) and the other transponder is connected rearward of the connecting region (8). Both transponders (12) and (14) transmit respective signals to an external transmitter/receiver unit 16 wherein a conclusion is drawn as to the spacing of the two transponders (12) and (14) on the basis of the time-dependent spacing of the two signals. If the spacing s of the transponders (12) and (14) exceeds a pregiven amount, then a conclusion is drawn by the external transmitter/receiver unit (16) as to a critical change in length of the connecting region (8) and corresponding measures are initiated.

Abstract: A device (21) for selectively feeding sheets (24, 28) contained in two separate trays (22, 26) by means of a pick-up unit (31), wherein the latter is located between the two trays (22,26). The latter-named (22, 26) are fulcrum-mounted on a structure (33) and are driven alternatively by a motor (61) depending on the latter's direction of rotation so as to be brought selectively into sliding engagement with the pick-up unit (31), and accordingly result in one sheet at a time being picked up and fed from one or the other of the two trays (22, 26). The device (21) is particularly suitable for incorporation in an office machine, such as for example a facsimile system (20) or a printer, for selectively feeding sheets of different types.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder is constructed of three chassis. A main chassis carries the active components, such as paper pick and drive mechanisms for sequentially picking and delivering said sheets to and from a flat bed scanner, motors, and transmissions for driving said paper pick and drive mechanisms, a document backing assembly, and electronic controller equipment. Moreover, the main chassis provides a document input tray. A lower chassis forms a low height form factor output tray, using paper stiffness caused by predetermined bending to register the document sheets without having to support the full length thereof. When assembled with an upper chassis, the three chassis provide the entire paper path. The lower chassis carries an attachment hinge mechanism for mounting the automatic document feeder appropriately to a flat bed scanner apparatus. The paper loading and unloading drive mechanism provides a balance normal force from a plurality of paper drive rollers.

Abstract: A sheet finishing apparatus for finishing a sheet, on which an image has been formed, conveyed from an image forming apparatus, the sheet finishing apparatus includes: a sheet ejecting member for ejecting the sheet after finishing; and an exit tray for receiving the sheet ejected by the sheet ejecting member after finishing is conducted. The exit tray includes a movable exit tray member on which the sheet is stacked, and a stationary exit tray member for supporting the movable exit tray member. The movable exit tray member has a sheet stacking surface on which the sheet is stacked, and a stopper portion provided adjacent to the sheet ejecting member to bring an edge of the sheet into contact with the stopper portion. The movable exit tray member is pivotally supported around a supporting shaft provided on a leading edge portion of the stationary exit tray member.

Abstract: Sheet-like material articles are gathered in gathering pockets which move along a path in a horizontal direction. The sheet-like material articles are conveyed in a shingled stream adjacent the path. On each of the gathering pockets a deflector is actuatably arranged. The deflector intercepts the leading edge of a respective sheet-like material article while in the shingled stream. The sheet-like material article is deflected into a gathering pocket.

Abstract: A conversion frame mounts to pre-existing bolt holes in a conventional USPS tilt-tray carriage with bolts that extend into the holes which previously supported vertical axis rollers for the mechanical drive tilt-tray carriage. The conversion frame has a forward foot and a rear foot, both of which connect to a ferromagnetic driving plate. The feet elevate a connection platform above the driving plate, and provide clearance for the rotation of four positioning rollers which extend sidewardly from the platform on protruding ears. The conversion kit allows the rapid change-over of a conventional mechanical drive tilt-tray sorter system to a LIM drive system with maximum re-use of parts.

Abstract: A belt feeder for the rapid and successive in-line transportation of small electronic components. The belt feeder has an inclined dispensing portion with at least one dispensing lane, a conveyor portion having an intermittently moving conveyor belt and at least one conveyor guide lane superposed above the conveyor belt, and a receiving nose structure having at least one nest structure mounted thereon at the end of the conveyor belt and forming a nest. The inclined track is positioned adjacent and above the conveyor track to allow the components enough space to be successively dispensed to the conveyor belt from the dispensing lane and into the conveyor guide lane where the component is intermittently carried forward by the conveyor belt until it comes to rest within its nest.

Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus receives a plurality of sheets discharged by a discharge roller pair from an image recording apparatus on a first support member disposed below the discharge roller pair to form a stack of the sheets on the first support member and carries out handling on the stack of sheets. A second support member is supported to be movable back and forth between a projecting position where it is projected over the first support member and is able to support a rear end portion of a sheet discharged by the discharge roller pair with a front end portion of the sheet supported by the first support member and a retracted position where it is retracted from the first support member. A controller controls movement of the second support member.

Abstract: A compact disc ("CD") vending system that allows a purchaser to compile a series of desired tracks, and correctly write these to a compact disc. The invention also enables the customer to customize the jacket or surface of the compact disc with a desired slogan or graphic. Included are an ordering computer, a viewing computer, a keyboard, a payment slot that can take either cash, credit or debit cards, a data source, a CD recording unit, and a printing unit that can print words or graphics on the surface of CDs and their sleeves. The data source unit contains the information to be recorded onto the surface of a CD. The viewing computer will provide access to available titles, so that the user can watch and listen to them before making a selection. The ordering computer enables the user to place his or her order by entering its title or catalog number and any other information that may be required for the production of the CD.

Abstract: A dual track conveying system for transporting workpiece carriers, has a main conveyor and, an auxiliary conveyor arranged parallel to the main conveyor. At least one transverse conveyor is arranged between the main conveyor and the auxiliary conveyor. The transverse conveyor is pivotally attached to the main conveyor. The moveable end of the transverse conveyor pivots up-and-to transfer the workpiece carriers from the transverse conveyor to the auxiliary conveyor. The transverse conveyor has a short belt and a long belt. The short belt is shorter than the long belt by the width of the auxiliary conveyor. A passive conveying track section following the path of the short belt is located in between the belts of the auxiliary conveyor to support one end of the work piece carrier when the moveable end of the transverse conveyor is in the raised position.

Abstract: A conveying belt has a core and a canvas layer attached to the core. The canvas layer has a first surface facing the core and a second surface facing oppositely to the first surface. The canvas layer has a thickness between the first and second surfaces. The canvas layer is treated with fluororesin so that the second surface is impregnated with fluororesin and only part of the thickness between the first and second surfaces is impregnated with fluororesin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving golf balls from a ball washer to a ball dispenser is disclosed. A system of conduits is employed, connecting a ball washer to a dispenser. Balls are forced out of the washer and into an entry conduit where a drain rids the system of fluids. Balls are slowed down by a restricted region in the entry conduit prior to entry into a main conduit. Upon entering the main conduit, balls are forced upward by high velocity air being expelled by a blower. Obstructions are minimized and relieved by an opening in the side of the main conduit. Balls are prevented from backing up into the blower, even in case of obstruction, by an angled pipe or nozzle with a diameter smaller than that of a golf ball. Balls travel through the main conduit and into an exit conduit where they strike a shock absorbing pad prior to dropping into the dispenser. In a second embodiment, an alternative exit conduit is provided whereby balls may be diverted to a receptacle other than the dispenser.

Abstract: A driving unit includes an electromagnet (33), a vibration plate (11) arranged on one side of the electromagnet (33), and a complementary vibration plate (32) arranged at the opposite side of the electromagnet (33). The parts (1, 2) of the vibration conveyor that need to vibrate are firmly secured to the vibration plate (11). The electromagnet is secured to the complementary vibration plate (32) in a vertically adjustable manner. The vibration plate (11) and the complementary vibration plate (32) are elastically connected to each other. The elastic connection is ensured by at least three supporting beams (29) that are uniformly distributed around the circumference of the winding of the electromagnet (33) at an oblique angle with the winding axis of the electromagnet (33). The supporting beams (29) are connected to the vibration plate (11) and to the complementary vibration plate (32) by leaf spring sets (30, 31).

Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring a ware supporting hanger from one conveyor to another conveyor. The unit is positioned between the conveyors and includes a centrally positioned rotatable support. There is provided a linear rail or arm assembly suspended from the support. A shuttle is mounted to the linear rail or arm so as to move between one end of the rail or arm assembly and the other end of the rail or arm assembly and thus between conveyors. The shuttle is generally linearly shaped and has a hook engaging member at either end. The shuttle is constructed and arranged so that when the shuttle is positioned at the end of the rail or arm assembly one end of the shuttle is positioned in line with the vertical axis of the rotatable support and the other end is positioned to cooperate with a conveyor. The method of operating the transfer unit in combination with the conveyors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor diverting system having an endless conveying surface and diverting shoes transversely movable across the conveying surface for diverting articles having an upstream and a downstream diverting track where the upstream diverting track is oriented parallel to the downstream diverting track for a portion of its length, and converges with the downstream diverting track along its other portion. The conveyor system further includes a controller which utilizes only the downstream diverting track if the article to be diverted is less than a first predetermined length or greater than a second predetermined length. If the article to be diverted is between the first predetermined length and the second predetermined length, then both diverting tracks are utilized.