Abstract: The invention refers to the field of machines for orienting, straightening and aligning plastic vessels such as bottles, and in particular the invention refers to those types of machines that provide for a hopper for randomly loading the bottles that are composed of a cylindrical rotating wall (1) carrying on its external face a plurality of cradles (5) with below-placed discharging channels (8) that are substantially funnel-shaped and a carousel (7) carrying a plurality of separators (9) composing vertical channels of openings (10) in a multiple number of dischargers minus one. The machine provides a mechanical speed gear (50) for changing the speed of the separators-carrying carousel (7) with respect to the speed of the cylindrical rotating wall (1). A mechanical phase change gear (37) is further provided for changing the angular position of the separators-carrying carousel with respect to the cylindrical rotating wall.

Abstract: Fixed conveyor slats (12) in the nature of beams extend over a window in support framework (53, 100, 102, 116, 118) for the movable and fixed slats (10, 12) in a reciprocating slat conveyor. The fixed slats (12) support the movable slats (20), including in the region of the window. The movable slats (10) are in the nature of box beams, providing them with strength and stiffness in the region of the window. At the rear end of the conveyor, the movable slats (10) move onto support brackets (120) which prevent the rear end portions of the slats (10) from being damaged when they are in a position overhanging a rear wall (84) and material is dropped from above down onto the rear end portions of the slats (10).

Abstract: A unit for feeding filters to a filter assembly machine, wherein at least one deflecting device receives a respective succession of filter portions in an axial direction, and feeds the filter portions to the filter assembly machine in a transverse direction crosswise to the filter portions; the deflecting device being defined by a fixed frame supporting an input and an output, and by an extractable box fitted movably to the fixed frame and supporting a first conveying device for conveying the filter portions in the axial direction, a second conveying device for conveying the filter portions in the transverse direction, and a deflecting member for diverting the filter portions to the transverse direction.

Abstract: A conveyor system and associated method for conveying tires received from a multiplicity of tire presses. The conveyor system shown comprises a main, or trench, conveyor flanked on opposite sides by opposing groups of tire presses. Discharge conveyors deliver tires from the tire presses to the main conveyor at multiple positions along the length of the main conveyor. The tires are delivered from both sides of the main conveyor, which conveys them downstream. An open-loop sequencer activates each discharge conveyor to deliver tires to the main conveyor according to a schedule including the sequence of activating each of the discharge conveyors so as to avoid collisions between tires on the main conveyor.

Abstract: A device for discharging rod-like products each having one end that is large sized. The device includes a hopper having an opening in its bottom surface, a drive mechanism for oscillating the hopper, and a bottom cover for closing the opening of the hopper. An upper surface of the bottom cover is shaped such that the cover closes the opening of the hopper so that the products do not drop from the opening. The bottom cover has a slit opened in the upper surface thereof, and the slit extends in a direction perpendicular to a direction of the oscillating motion. The slit has a width that allows all but a maximum size portion of the rod-like products to pass therethrough. The drive mechanism oscillates the hopper so that the rod-like products received in the hopper are guided to the slit of the bottom cover, arranged in the slit in order, and subsequently discharged from the slit.

Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with embedded spherical rollers retained in the module and a belt constructed of such modules. The module includes a module body forming a cavity, a spherical roller in the cavity, and a retainer retained in the cavity to hold the spherical roller rotatably in place. A salient portion of the roller extends outward from the cavity through the retainer past an outer surface of the module. The retainer is attached to the module body by ultrasonic welding, epoxy- or solvent-bonding, spin welding, electromagnetic welding, staking, screwing, or locking.

Abstract: A film conveying mechanism comprises a base, a belt capable of conveying the films, a spring plate, a fixing pin, and a stopper. The spring plate includes an opening on a second end and is longitudinally disposed with respect to the belt. The fixing pin is on the base and holds a first end of the spring plate. The stopper, which is narrower than the opening, protrudes through the opening and limits the movement of the second end of the spring plate in a first direction. The stopper restricts the lateral and longitudinal horizontal movement of the spring plate, allowing the spring plate some retraction or expansion space according to the amount of belt pressure. Using the stopper reduces film jams, makes the spring plate longer lasting, and keeps the film conveying mechanism running efficiently regardless of possible wear and tear or minor manufacturing defects in the spring plate.

Abstract: A conveyor system in which a modular belt or chain is driven by a drive element rotated at a predetermined variable angular speed to compensate for speed fluctuations due to chordal action. A speed signal generator generates a speed signal generally inverse to the uncompensated linear speed of a belt driven by drive elements rotated at a constant angular speed. The speed signal generator detects an encoded pattern rotating in known relationship to the drive element. The encoded pattern represents a predetermined speed profile that is used to compensate for belt speed fluctuations or to provide custom belt speed performance.

Abstract: An escalator or moving walkway with a handrail and a handrail entryway has a finger contact protection cover, wherein the finger contact protection cover includes corrugated bristles. The corrugated bristles allow the gap between the handrail and the entryway to be minimized. The bristle construction also provides improved tactile feedback when a user's hand contacts the bristles, allowing the hand to be more quickly removed from the handrail and contact with the bristles, avoiding potential injury.

Abstract: A conveyor comprises laterally spaced apart lifting/holding slats (12) and laterally spaced apart conveying slats (10) between the lifting/holding slats (12). The conveying slats (10) are advanced in a first direction for conveying a load and are retracted in a second direction for returning them to a start position. The lifting/holding slats (12) have lower portions (62) which reciprocate and upper portions (60) which move up and down. Cams (92, 94) operate in response to longitudinal movement of the lower portions (62) to raise and lower the upper portions (60).

Abstract: Passenger conveyor (2) including an endless conveyor band (6) connected to a drive chain (8) at each lateral edge thereof and driven by a conveyor band drive (40) including an electric motor (48) and one drive output device (42) at each lateral edge of the conveyor band (6) for driving the respective drive chain (8), characterised in that the conveyor band drive (40) is arranged laterally outside of the conveyor band (6).

Abstract: A device for processing slaughter animals or parts thereof, for example poultry, comprises a transport system with an endless track and a chain of chain elements which can be moved along the track, wherein a plurality of chain elements are set up as carriers to carry one or more slaughter animals and/or parts thereof. The device furthermore has a delivery station for delivering slaughter animals or parts thereof to the carriers of the transport system, one or more stations being set up along the track of the transport system to perform actions relating to the slaughter animals or parts thereof. The device furthermore has location means for determining the position of the chain in relation to the track, wherein the location means comprise an identifiable chain element which has an associated identification mark, and also an identification sensor set up along the track to detect each identifiable chain element, wherein the remaining chain elements in the chain are designed as unidentifiable chain elements.

Abstract: An inflatable bladder (50) is positioned between the top (24) of a lower slat (22) and the top (36) of an upper slat (20). An air supply/exhaust conduit (52) extends upwardly from a transverse manifold (76) to the inflatable bladders (50). Flanges (32, 34) on the lower slat (22) contact flanges (42, 44) on the upper slat (20) to stop upward movement of the upper slat (20).