Abstract: A spiral chute having a center column assembly with a first center column segment is disclosed. The center column segment has a plurality of pairs of opposed apertures. The spiral chute also includes a plurality of chute assembly sections, each including a chute support arm, a chute section coupled to the chute support arm, an outer wall support coupled to a distal end of the chute support arms, an outer wall segment coupled to the outer wall supports, and a support arm bolt having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of each support arm bolt passes through a corresponding one of the first plurality of opposing apertures and engages a proximal end of the chute support arm such that the proximal end of the chute support arm abuts the first center column segment. A method of constructing a spiral chute is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for vertical transfer of whole nuts from a first elevation to a second, lower elevation includes a run extending between an entrance and an exit, and having a plurality of alternatingly arranged conveying panels between the entrance and the exit. Each conveying panel is inclined at approximately 30 degrees to horizontal and has a predefined width. The apparatus further includes arcuate turn-arounds disposed between respective conveying panels to facilitate transferring the nuts from one conveying panel to the next lower conveying panel. The predefined width of the conveying panels is selected based on a predetermined mass flow rate of nuts such that whole nuts move along the run in a continuous stream without tumbling, and wherein each nut is in contact with adjacent nuts in its respective layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling bars (31), in particular metal bars, including a loading unit (22) provided with transporter elements (25) to transfer a series of bars (31) toward a selector unit (34); the selector unit (34) includes a gripping device (35) configured to remove one or more bars (31) from the transporter elements (25) of the loading unit (22) and to release them toward a subsequent collection station (43) and also includes sensors (41) configured to automatically detect at least the number of bars (31) removed and released by the gripping device (35) toward the collection station (43).

Abstract: A system for part transfer and transport, the system including: a first conveyor system for transporting a plurality of trays containing a two-dimensional grid of parts; a second conveyor system for transporting the parts to a predetermined destination in a linear arrangement; and a selection apparatus for transferring a linear array of parts selected from the grid of the first conveyor system to the linear arrangement of the second conveyor system, the selection apparatus comprising: a pick and place apparatus which may be cam driven for moving the parts; and a feed screw defining a plurality of singulated part spaces separated by a part pitch along the second conveyor to facilitate insertion of the linear array of parts into the linear arrangement.

Abstract: A screw forwarding device for a screw feeder includes a base plate, a vibration mechanism including at least one spring and a vibration motor connected to the at least one spring, and a rail for receiving screws. The rail is connected to a first end of the at least one spring and the at least one spring is arranged at an oblique angle to the rail. The screw forwarding device further includes a fastening mechanism for rigidly connecting a second end of the at least one spring to the base plate, whereby a movement path of the vibration mechanism, during a use of the screw forwarding device, defines a plane of movement. The base plate is oriented substantially parallel to the plane of movement defined by the vibration mechanism.

Abstract: A conveyor comprises a first conveyor section and a second conveyor section that is foldable with respect to the first conveyor section. Skirting is movable into and out of a deployed state in which it extends along the second conveyor section. A skirting support is coupled to the skirting and is movable into and out of a deployed state in which it holds the skirting in the deployed state. Actuating device is provided for moving the skirting support. The skirting is deformable or foldable so that it does not have to be removed or fitted when the conveyor is folded or deployed, and is less susceptible to damage.

Abstract: A picking facility includes a first conveyor for transporting a container that includes an opening portion provided on an upper side thereof and can contain an article, and a second conveyor for transporting a target article. The height level of a transport face of the first conveyor is set to be lower than the height level of a transport face of the second conveyor, and a difference between the height level of the transport face of the second conveyor and the height level of the transport face of the first conveyor is determined based on the height of the container.

Abstract: An article supplying apparatus includes a retention unit configured to retain an article, a robot hand configured to insert the article retained in the retention unit into a container, and a control unit configured to control operation of the robot hand. The robot hand has a holding portion for holding the article. The control unit executes holding control in which the article is held by the holding portion; and stand-by insertion control in which after the holding portion is temporarily disposed at a stand-by position different from a position immediately above an article insertion port in the container and set on a movement path from a start position of the holding through the holding control to the position immediately thereabove, the holding portion is moved to the position immediately thereabove, and the article is inserted into the container via the article insertion port.

Abstract: A system (10) for loading different conveying tracks (2, 3, 4) of at least one in particular commercial conveyor dishwasher (1, 1?). The system (10) includes a feed conveyor belt (11) for delivering washware (9a, 9b, 9c) to loading regions of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1?). The system (10) further includes a sorting arrangement for sorting the washware (9a, 9b, 9c) delivered to the loading regions of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1?) via the feed conveyor belt (11) according to previously defined or definable washware groups. The sorting arrangement is associated with at least one loading arrangement (13a, 13b, 13c) for automatically loading the different conveying tracks of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1?) with washware (9a, 9b, 9c) of one of the previously defined or definable washware groups.

Abstract: A feeder arrangement for a slurry transport system, which is preferably a hydro hoist, includes a chamber with a high pressure water inlet, a low pressure water outlet, and a low pressure solids inlet at a top end. The low pressure solids inlet has a transfer chute that opens into a lower section of the chamber to maintain a clear-water environment adjacent the top end. A high pressure solids and water outlet is provided at a bottom end. The inlets and outlets are controlled by suitable valves. Three such chambers are preferably operated together in sequence between incoming and outgoing columns in a mine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum conveyor for conveying granulate and/or powdery material, the conveyor comprising: a main body having an upper end and a lower end; a cavity inside the main body, said cavity comprising an opening arranged at the lower end of the main body; a valve arranged at the opening position between an open position allowing a flow of granulate and/or powdery material out from the cavity through said opening and a sealing position sealing said opening; an inlet arranged at the upper end of the main body forming an inlet passage into the cavity; a venturi inside the main body at a position being distinct from the cavity, said venturi comprising an inlet and an outlet; and a suction channel fluidly connecting the throat of the venturi with the interior of the cavity at a position at or above the inlet.

Abstract: A system for packing a case with articles, the system including a conveying device to convey articles to be packed, in a serial configuration and a support for a case to be packed with the articles in which the articles are configured to be placed in a plurality of rows, including a first row, a second row adjacent to the first row and a last row adjacent to a side wall of the case.

Abstract: A separating device for a gravity conveyor, comprising a conveying plane (E) along which an item (30) is conveyable in a conveying direction (F), and an actuating means (50), which comprises a first actuating member (51), which can be moved into an actuated position by conveyed items (30) being moved in the conveying direction (F), and a second actuating member (52), which can be moved into an actuated position by conveyed items (30) being moved counter to the conveying direction (F). When at least one of the first and second actuating members (50, 51) is actuated, a movement of the at least one separating stop (40) from the position above the conveying plane is blocked, and when the first and second actuating members (50, 51) are unactuated, a movement of the at least one separating stop (40) to a position below or flush with the conveying plane is enabled.

Abstract: A build material conveyor is disclosed. Such conveyor comprising an auger to transport build material in a substantially vertical direction wherein the conveyor further comprises a set of wall elements selectively positioned to, in a first position occupy part of the volume of the auger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing a module for sorting units, which involves arranging said units loose in a reservoir; sorting said units according to a specific orientation into a batch inserted into a housing, by lifting from said reservoir towards an exit at an elevation speed; expelling said batch of sorted units from said outlet towards an entrance of a supply column, said expelled units passing through a circulation area situated between said exit and said entrance. The method comprising, at said circulation area, detecting the number of units expelled in each batch; accelerating or decelerating the elevation speed depending on said number of units detected. The invention also concerns a corresponding management device.

Abstract: The transfer device comprises a central structure (20) having at least one transport segment (S21, S22, S23) with drive means (30-1, 30-2, 30-3). The transport segment is intended to receive a carriage (C1, C2, C3) which is mounted so as to be movable with respect to the central structure in a direction of movement. Said carriage has a plate bearing a series of permanent magnets in the direction of movement. The drive means (30) comprise a worm (30-1, 30-2, 30-3) along the transport segment (S21, S22, S23), said worm comprising a ferromagnetic helical perimeter, being mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to said direction of movement, and being arranged such that the successive turns of the helical perimeter are adjacent to at least some of the permanent magnets of said series.

Abstract: A system for transferring articles, includes a plurality of gripping devices, configured to grip respective articles which pass along a first conveyor, wherein each gripping device is movable independently from the remaining gripping devices. A control unit is configured for controlling the gripping devices. A first detection sensor is configured to detect a first value indicating a position of an article on the first conveyor. The control unit is configured for receiving the first value; positioning a gripping device at the article, as a function of the first value; gripping the article with the gripping device; adjusting, as a function of the first value, a speed of the gripping device which grips the article, and releasing the article from the gripping device when the article reaches a release position.

Abstract: Hollow bodies which are closed on one side and which are cylindrical are sorted by a sorting device. The hollow bodies have an end-side opening, a base surface situated opposite the opening and a shell surface extending between the base surface and the opening. The sorting device includes first nozzles arranged on an upper guide for conducting a first fluid flow in the direction of a lateral guide, and second nozzles arranged on a lower guide for conducting a second fluid flow in the direction of an outlet. Since the force of the fluid flow is several times greater if the fluid flow strikes a part of the shell surface of the hollow body through the end-side opening of the hollow body than if the fluid flow strikes the base surface of the hollow body from the outside, sorting of the hollow bodies is made possible.

Abstract: In embodiments, a conveyor apparatus can include a conveyor ribbon having a length, a width, a thickness less than the width, and a plurality of receiving apertures located along the length and extending through the thickness of the conveyor ribbon. The plurality of receiving apertures are dimensioned to receive and hold a plurality of glass articles. A conveyor drive and guidance system directs the conveyor ribbon along a predefined conveyor path. The predefined conveyor path can include an immersion section and a drain section. The immersion section can be oriented to direct the conveyor ribbon into and out of an immersion station and the conveyor ribbon is rotated about a horizontal axis in the drain section after being directed out of the immersion station.

Abstract: A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.