Abstract: A conveyor and a related method for organizing electrically conductive articles such as aluminum cans, into single-file lanes. Parallel rails divide the conveying surface of a conveyor belt into lanes across the width of an upper belt run. Upstream electro-magnetic coil sets in line with each rail produce magnetic fields that interact with the conductive cans to produce forces that pre-arrange the cans into lanes between the coil sets for presentation to the lanes between the rails already in line. In that way, damaging collisions between the cans and the ends of the rails are avoided.

Abstract: A conveyor belt module includes a movable hinge rod retainer that can be opened and closed without tools. The movable hinge rod retainer facilitates opening and rejoining of the conveyor belt at one or more dedicated locations. In a first position, the hinge rod retainer locks a hinge rod withing a hinge rod passageway. A user can easily move the hinge rod retainer to a second position in which the hinge rod passageway is open to allow removal of the hinge rod.

Abstract: A transfer system comprising a carrier attached by fastening structure to a linear-motor shuttle driven by a linear-motor stator along a track. Tray packs or other conveyed objects are transferred between the carriers and infeed and outfeed conveyors by the carriers at transfer segments as the carriers advance along the track.

Abstract: A dedicated access assembly for a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access assembly includes a female portion having one or more open hooks and a male portion including a hinge rod extending between linking elements. The open hook disengages from and engages the hinge rod to selectively open and close the conveyor belt. A latching mechanism can selectively lock the dedicated access assembly.

Abstract: A conveyor belt module (20) includes a movable hinge rod retainer (220) that can be opened and closed without tools. The movable hinge rod retainer facilitates opening and rejoining of the conveyor belt (100) at one or more dedicated locations. In a first position, the hinge rod retainer locks a hinge rod (130) withing a hinge rod passageway. A user can easily move the hinge rod retainer to a second position in which the hinge rod passageway is open to allow removal of the hinge rod.

Abstract: A dedicated access module inserted between standard conveyor belt modules in a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access module comprises two mating portions, each portion including standard, articulating hinge elements on an outside end and non-articulating connection means on an inside end for connecting to the other, corresponding mating portion.

Abstract: A dedicated access module inserted between standard conveyor belt modules in a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access module comprises two mating portions, each portion including standard, articulating hinge elements on an outside end and non-articulating connection means on an inside end for connecting to the other, corresponding mating portion.

Abstract: A dedicated access assembly for a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access assembly includes a female portion having one or more open hooks and a male portion including a hinge rod extending between linking elements. The open hook disengages from and engages the hinge rod to selectively open and close the conveyor belt. A latching mechanism can selectively lock the dedicated access assembly.

Abstract: A dedicated access assembly for a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access assembly includes a female portion having one or more open hooks and a male portion including a hinge rod extending between linking elements. The open hook disengages from and engages the hinge rod to selectively open and close the conveyor belt. A latching mechanism can selectively lock the dedicated access assembly.

Abstract: A transfer system comprising a carrier attached by fastening structure to a linear-motor shuttle driven by a linear-motor stator along a track. Tray packs or other conveyed objects are transferred between the carriers and infeed and outfeed conveyors by the carriers at transfer segments as the carriers advance along the track.

Abstract: A conveyor belt module (20) includes a movable hinge rod retainer (220) that can be opened and closed without tools. The movable hinge rod retainer facilitates opening and rejoining of the conveyor belt (100) at one or more dedicated locations. In a first position, the hinge rod retainer locks a hinge rod (130) withing a hinge rod passageway. A user can easily move the hinge rod retainer to a second position in which the hinge rod passageway is open to allow removal of the hinge rod.

Abstract: A dedicated access module inserted between standard conveyor belt modules in a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access module comprises two mating portions, each portion including standard, articulating hinge elements on an outside end and non-articulating connection means on an inside end for connecting to the other, corresponding mating portion.

Abstract: A dedicated access assembly for a conveyor belt forms a dedicated opening and closing point for the conveyor belt. The dedicated access assembly includes a female portion having one or more open hooks and a male portion including a hinge rod extending between linking elements. The open hook disengages from and engages the hinge rod to selectively open and close the conveyor belt. A latching mechanism can selectively lock the dedicated access assembly.

Abstract: Retainer rings for locking in an N-sided shaft to restrict axial movement of components sandwiched between them. The retainer rings have inner edges bounding a central bore. The inner edges are defined by a series of N arcs whose distance from the bore's center decreases gradually along the inner edge from a first end to a second end of each arc. The rings are slid on to the shaft with the corners of the shaft aligned with the first ends of the arcs. Then the rings are rotated on the shafts toward the second ends of the arcs until the corners of the shafts jam against the inner edges. A special spanner wrench can be used to tighten and loosen the rings on the shaft.

Abstract: An article conveying system includes an alignment guide that allows larger packages to be spaced inwards from an aligning edge of a conveyor. The alignment guide provides at least two different registration points for packages, depending on the height of the packages. High profile packages, such as large boxes, are inset from an alignment edge of the conveyor, while low profile articles, such as envelopes, are registered against the alignment edge.

Abstract: Retainer rings for locking in an N-sided shaft to restrict axial movement of components sandwiched between them. The retainer rings have inner edges bounding a central bore. The inner edges are defined by a series of N arcs whose distance from the bore's center decreases gradually along the inner edge from a first end to a second end of each arc. The rings are slid on to the shaft with the corners of the shaft aligned with the first ends of the arcs. Then the rings are rotated on the shafts toward the second ends of the arcs until the corners of the shafts jam against the inner edges. A special spanner wrench can be used to tighten and loosen the rings on the shaft.

Abstract: An article conveying system includes an alignment guide that allows larger packages to be spaced inwards from an aligning edge of a conveyor. The alignment guide provides at least two different registration points for packages, depending on the height of the packages. High profile packages, such as large boxes, are inset from an alignment edge of the conveyor, while low profile articles, such as envelopes, are registered against the alignment edge.

Abstract: An improved system and method for the design, creation and installation of implant-supported dental prostheses is provided. A network accessible portal facilitates communication among a dental professional, a scanning center, a manufacturing center and others in the design and production of a dental drill guide and prosthesis, utilizing cone beam imaging, a rotatable 3-dimension representation of a patient's jaw, virtual placement of one or more implants and virtual testing prior to manufacture. Dental professionals may access the portal on a subscription or non-subscription basis.