Abstract: A conveyor of the tilting tray type having the trays tiltable about an axis parallel to the moving direction for transverse unloading of conveyed articles at selected stations along the conveyor. Each of the trays is tiltably mounted on a carriage and has two rollers mounted at either end of a shaft secured to the tray transversely projecting to either side of the tilting axis. The rollers are respectively engaged with diametrically opposed surface portions of a disc member cranked so as to show a horizontal diameter section between respectively upwardly and downwardly slanting side portions, the disc member being mounted by the mid portion of the horizontal section on the upper end of a vertical drive shaft in such a position that the horizontal diameter section supports the rollers and thereby the tray in a locked horizontal position.

Abstract: A conveyor with laterally deflectable article transporting pallets is disclosed in which the pallets are mounted on a carriage-like structure having wheels which run in and are guided by heavy duty channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a non-pivotal modular conveyor belt and modular links therefor wherein a belt is made up of modules interfitted and joined by a non-pivotal connection passing laterally through adjacent interfit modules at their ends and wherein the module has a flexible member joining a pair of link ends. When assembled with the non-pivotal connection through the interlocked link ends with the adjacent flexible members in abutting relationship the point of abutment of the flexible members may be fused so that there is no open joint into which foreign matter may enter requiring cleaning.

Abstract: A retainer arrangement for a stationary shaft, rod or the like for retaining the shaft against upward movement in an upwardly open recess or slot of a support bracket, and the combination of the retainer with the shaft and with the support bracket. The retainer arrangement comprises a retention spring clip which encircles a substantial portion, such as 270.degree., of the shaft periphery contiguous the supported end of the shaft. The upper portion of the retention spring clip is formed to include opposite laterally spaced axially extending lugs which are adapted to snap each into a corresponding retention groove carried by the respective opposite recess-bounding walls of the support bracket when the shaft is seated in the upwardly open recess or slot of the support bracket.

Abstract: A harpoon or chip conveyor having an arcuate trough fitted with material retaining members or barbs on its inner sides and a plurality of interconnected plows driven in backward and forward or reciprocal motion by a reciprocating hydraulic or air operated power unit. The material retaining members are so oriented that a small vertical portion faces the direction of travel of the material being conveyed. The arcuate trough is generally greater than 90.degree. and less than a complete 360.degree.. An outlet is provided at least at one end of the arcuate trough for discharging the material collected in the trough in response to the reciprocal motion of the plows.

Abstract: The buckets of a bucket elevator are attached to selected links of a drive chain by means of brackets on their bottom walls fastened to two projecting lugs on the chain links, the brackets being spaced further apart than the link pins securing the associated links to adjacent links. An apron on one transverse end wall of each bucket covers the gap between consecutive buckets during travel in a straight path.

Abstract: A horizontal stack foundry molding machine having opposed high pressure horizontally aligned rams adapted to close and then move into the open ends of a mold box filled with sand to make a high quality sand mold, such box being formed by opposed L-shape parts, the L-shape part forming the lower side of the box being horizontally movable after the rams have been retracted to shift the mold formed in the box from between said rams to a position in alignment with a pouring conveyor, a pusher being provided to move such mold from the movable L-shape part onto the pouring conveyor into juxtaposition with previously formed molds to form the horizontal stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning product being conveyed in a forward direction where a conveying element urges product to be re-distributed laterally for advancement to an adjacent accumulation plate to form interlocking hexagonal close pack clusters. Further distribution in the longitudinal and lateral directions takes place along a downwardly sloping contiguous conveyor having a series of flaring spacers until product is finally distributed in a desired fashion.

Abstract: An articulated chain conveyor has a plurality of links joined together by connecting pins each having a socket formed axially therein. A conveying surface is formed by a plurality of wire rod structures each having two ends respectively received in the sockets of adjacent ones of the pins and a support portion overlying the chain and extending laterally therebeyond to provide a support surface. Welded and non-welded rod structures for single-chain conveyors and a non-welded rod structure for double-chain conveyors are disclosed. Also disclosed are T-shaped mounting members and cooperating clips for connecting wire rod structures to a conveyor chain.

Abstract: Indexing mechanism for multiple station glassware inspection machines in which a plurality of pocketed starwheels are used. One set of pockets are formed with container encircling or restraining members which open and close in response to the contour of a box cam. The encircling members loosely retain containers so that they may be rotated about their vertical axes while held in a specific location. The finish of the containers is guided by an upper starwheel having pockets of a size commensurate with the size of the finish of the container. The containers to be inspected are brought into the starwheel with the encircling members opened. Upon closing of the encircling members, containers may be indexed through a series of positions where they may be inspected for various defects.

Abstract: Apparatus for indexing cases into an uncaser or the like having a case conveyor with upstanding lugs which space the cases apart by a predetermined distance as the cases move in end-to-end abutting relation toward the uncaser. The indexer includes an endless chain having outwardly-projecting lugs spaced along its length a distance less than the length of each case. Each lug moves into the rear portion of a case as the case moves toward the case conveyor and swings the rear portion of the case to one side whereby the lug engages the leading wall of the next succeeding case and times the entry of the case onto the case conveyor.

Abstract: Containers are discharged from a continuously operable, closed loop container carrier, having a multiplicity of parallel longitudinally and transversely aligned rows of container baskets with each container basket being offset from adjacent container baskets in adjacent rows, by a method and apparatus in which containers in alternate transverse rows of container baskets are transferred from the container carrier to a first discharge conveyor by a first container transfer means and containers in the other alternate transverse rows of container baskets are supported in the carrier past the first container transfer means and are transferred from the container carrier to a second discharge conveyor by a second container transfer means.

Abstract: An apparatus for toppling conveyed articles of rectangular outline (having opposite long sides and opposite short sides) has a travel surface; a discontinuity in the travel surface; first carrier elements traveling at a distance above and along the travel surface for advancing the articles by sliding them, on one of their short sides, on the travel surface up to the discontinuity and for advancing the articles by sliding them on one of their long sides, on the travel surface downstream of the discontinuity; and at least one second carrier element which is driven in a closed path and which engages the conveyed article or article stack as the latter reaches the discontinuity in the travel surface.

Abstract: A device for controlling the interval between articles on a belt conveyer which includes forming the conveyer with a plurality of spaced belts, gates beneath the belts and movable upwardly between the belts and a control device for controlling the gates to regulate the intervals between articles carried by the conveyer. gates lift the articles from the belts and periodically redeposit them on the belts in response to a signal generator resulting in the release of uniformly spaced articles. The circuit further includes an article sensor for each gate and a further emergency sensor detecting an additional article when the system is already filled to capacity causing interruption of the motion of the belts.

Abstract: A crossover dump and conveyor advancer for a main conveyor means supported by a movable pan line. The crossover dump includes a tunnel portion through which the pan line extends and entry and reentry ramps supporting portions of the main conveyor are provided for carrying the main conveyor over a secondary conveyor which extends cross-wise to and above the pan line. Material carried by the main conveyor is moved up the entry ramp where it then falls onto the secondary conveyor. A conveyor advancer is included to move the pan line relative to the crossover dump in order that the conveyor system may be advanced or retracted. The main conveyor is adapted to connect with a continuous mining machine by way of a bridge conveyor. The pan line supporting the main conveyor has limit switches near the tailpiece which when contacted by the bridge conveyor will cause the conveyor advancer to advance or retract the pan line.

Abstract: A livestock feeder device having a reciprocating carriage or shuttle adapted to be driven back and forth over a receiver such as a feed bunk having one or more zones. An endless conveyor belt extends around spaced guides on the carriage. A belt drive mechanism is fixedly mounted separate from the carriage and selectively drives the belt continuously in either direction no matter which direction the carriage is moving, or even if the carriage is stationary. Feed discharge is made from either end of the belt, independent of the carriage drive. The latter drive includes mechanism for selectively determining the zone or zones into which feed is delivered.

Abstract: An improved coiled spring conveyor particularly usable in an egg handling system for movement through stations which include both operations of candling and washing which comprises a plurality of coiled springs positioned about parallel rods which extend transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor and eggs, the coiled springs being generally cylindrical including a first spring section of narrow diameter for firmly gripping the parallel rods and including a second spring section being slightly concave with respect to the transverse cross-section thereof to cooperate with adjacent similarly configured second spring sections to define a plurality of egg receiving recesses therebetween, the first spring sections and second spring sections being alternately positioned along each coiled spring to define a plurality of rows of egg receiving recesses extending parallel to the direction of egg movement on the conveyor, the respective second spring sections including a generally centrally located opaque

Abstract: Conveyor means of roller type in which the rollers may be set up to define a straight path or a curved path, and in which the objects are moved with a low pressure drive through the cooperation of a low friction type round belt or rope powered by a drum and sheave mechanism that effectively operates the low friction belt or rope, the drum being provided with a wear resistant and high friction surface that will withstand the abrasive action of the belt or rope and obtain a grip on the rope.

Abstract: A continuous processing system for loading trays containing materials to be processed on carriages carried by a conveyor for processing said materials, the carriages have a removable cover or lid with at least one side open and the tray feeding device is synchronized with intermittent motion of the carriage conveyer and aligns the tray or stacks of trays with each carriage and automatically opens and closes the cover or lid of each carriage during the period of intermittent motion to permit insertion of a tray or stack or trays.

Abstract: A conveyor having a plurality of indentations sufficiently wide to receive a single article and a bar transverse to the movement of the conveyor, the bar being suspended from filaments above the conveyor a distance sufficient to pass a single layer of articles and to gently nudge superposed articles into a successive unoccupied indentation.