Abstract: A temperature modification assembly comprises a housing, a temperature modification element disposed in the housing, and a blower arranged to direct an air flow past the temperature modification element. The temperature modification assembly may further comprise at least one freely extending duct coupled to the housing, communicating with the blower and defining a pocket having a narrow profile; first and second freely extending ducts coupled to the housing and a blower arranged to direct a flow of air between the first and second ducts; and/or an open ended jacket cooperatively arranged with the housing and a blower arranged to circulate a flow of air between the temperature modification element and the interior of the jacket.

Abstract: A sizing device having a series of sets of sizing dies each composed of first and second die elements for use in extruding articles. Each die element is made of a plate having two opposite faces bounded by a peripheral edge. The edge further defines a notch through the plate. The notch in each die element has an open end extending inwardly to a closed end. The first and second die elements can be moved relative to each other from an open position in which the notches are unoccluded to a closed position in which first and second die elements overlie each other in the direction of extrusion and abut with the notches partly occluded by the abutting complementary die element. When the die is closed, the interior closed ends of the notches of the abutting elements of each die overlap to form a passage through the die that determines the shape of the extrusion. Support structure maintains the series of die sets at spaced apart locations in a vacuum extrusion chamber.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt constructed of rows of pivotally interfitted modules and flight members for supporting product conveyed along inclined paths. The conveyor belt is constructed of a sequence of rows of belt modules joined by pivot rods to form a hinged joint between adjacent rows. Each belt module has a product-conveying surface on one side between a first end and a second end. Hinge elements at the ends of each row of belt modules are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and pivotally interconnected by pivot rods through aligned apertures formed in the interleaved hinge elements to form an endless belt having an outer conveying surface and capable of articulating about a drive sprocket. The hinged flight member is preferably tent-shaped and comprises two panels extending outwardly from the conveying surface of the belt. The two panels are hingedly joined along an apical ridge and pivotally attached at two spaced apart belt rows.

Abstract: An occlusion system is provided for retaining pivot rods of modular link belts in residence in journalled positions within the designated sets of aligned link end apertures with particular advantages in reducing belt wear and maintaining belt lengths more stably in the presence of load and slack conditions. Thus the pivot rods are confined in journalled positions in pivot apertures in the link modular link ends by way of a belt edge occlusion member which is a stiff integral modular member that covers a significant portion of the journalling aperture area. The occlusion member has a notch shaped as a cylindrical segment for mating with a headless flexible pivot rod to guide it into a journalled position with a set of apertures as it is bent to pass the occlusion member in entering or leaving a journalled position within a set of apertures.

Abstract: Improved articulation structure is provided for pivoting links of a modular belt, namely a hinge strip of flexible material such as a thermoplastic elastomer and mating receptacle aperture slots in link ends. The modular links are all alike with flared ends in the slots permitting the hinge strip to flex a limited angle without frictional rubbing with the links. The slots have limited constant widths facing outwardly to prevent movement of the hinge strip in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the belt. Staggered end fingers of the links are half the thickness of a central body portion which provides a smooth top surface without apertures for interdigitation with similar end to end links. This construction is particularly useful for operation in abrasive conditions where wear on conventional pivot pins would significantly reduce belt life.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for quickly and accurately cutting conveyor belt modules is disclosed. A guide track supports and provides a path past a cutting location for the modules that are to be cut. The modules are stopped after a selected amount of width of the module to be cut has passed the cutting location. A cutting blade which has a length extending orthogonal to the direction of travel of the modules is aligned by a die which provides a guide for the cutting blade and also accurately positions the modules prior to cutting. The blade is moved or activated by a means such as a hydraulic damped pneumatic cylinder at a controlled speed so as to cut through the modules. A cylindrical shaped anvil is located substantially across the length of the module being cut such that it provides support to the modules along a line directly opposite the length of the blade as the blade cuts through the modules.

Abstract: Conveying apparatus for use in an environment having significant variations in temperature, and having a molded plastic screw conveyor on a metal drive shaft is disclosed. The molded plastic screw conveyor includes a non-circular axial aperture which receives a cooperating drive shaft with a coefficient of expansion different than the plastic screw conveyor. The cross-sectional shapes of the drive shaft and the axial aperture extending through the plastic screw conveyor are such that rotation of the drive shaft results in rotation of the plastic screw conveyor. However, axial motion between the plastic screw conveyor and the drive shaft can occur to accommodate variations in length due to changes in temperature. A journal plug or end means is also included which may receive rotational forces from a motor or other source. The journal plug is joined to the drive shaft such that rotation of the journal plug results in rotation of the drive shaft and consequently in rotation of the plastic screw conveyor.

Abstract: Readily attachable and detachable coupling apparatus for coupling the drive shaft of a modular plastic screw conveyor with a power source is substantially concealed and protected by the modular plastic screw conveyor. Plastic screw conveyor modules define a non-circular axial aperture suitable for sliding over a matching or cooperating non-circular full length drive shaft. The drive shaft itself also includes an axial non-circular cross-section recess at one end for receiving a cooperating journal plug. The journal plug is secured in the drive shaft by a retainer which expands radially when compressed, and such that rotation of the journal plug causes rotation of the drive shaft which in turn causes rotation of the plastic screw conveyor.

Abstract: Readily attachable and detachable apparatus for coupling the drive shaft of a modular plastic screw conveyor with a power source is substantially concealed and protected by the modular plastic screw conveyor. Plastic screw conveyor modules define a non-circular axial aperture suitable for sliding over a matching or cooperating non-circular full length drive shaft. The drive shaft itself also includes an axial non-circular cross-section recess at one end for receiving a cooperating journal plug. The journal plug is retained in the drive shaft by a resilient axial force such as provided by a spring under tension, and such that rotation of the journal plug causes rotation of the drive shaft which in turn causes rotation of the plastic screw conveyor.

Abstract: A stairway fabricating apparatus includes a structural machine frame that can support an elongated linear stringer work piece thereupon. A plurality of tread supports include multiple work stations which are movably supported by the frame for simultaneously supporting multiple, selectively pre-spaced stair-step treads in a position against the stringer so that the tread and stringer can be connected to define thereafter horizontal stair-step positions of staircase treads that are of a pre-selected spacing and of a pre-selected angular position with respect to the stringer. Connection of the treads to the stringers can be accomplished by welding, for example, once the correct linear spacing and the correct angular position of the treads are selected.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for preparing cooked crabs for further processing to separate meat from shell by centrifugal action is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a holding means (28), cooperating with a clamping means (190, 192) for securing a crab body (30) to a conveying means (20). The conveying means (20) moves the crab body (30) which has had the carapace shell removed along a predetermined path to a cutting means such as for example circular blades (50A-50D). The circular blades are supported and driven such that as the crab body is moved into the blades by conveying means (20), these blades make a "V" cross-sectional shape cut extending betwee the front and rear of the crab. The open or top of the "V" shape is located at the top or back of the crab and the "tip" of the "V" extends into the crab body such that the "tip" is proximate to but does not cut through the belly shell of the crab. Thus, a "V" cross-sectional portion (116) containing the viscera of the crab is removed from the crab body.

Abstract: A staircase stringer fabricating apparatus includes a structural machine frame having a carriage moveably mounted with respect to the frame for supporting an elongated stringer work piece. A track mounted upon the structural frame defines a guide for the carriage so that the carriage can move on a controlled path with respect to the frame. Material working stations, such as wood routers, welding torches or the like are spaced upon the machine frame for simultaneously preparing the work piece with selectively spaced apart tread assembly positions that define the horizontal stair step positions (including the spacing and angular positions) upon the stringer during use. The tread positions are preferably formed responsive to the movement of the carriage and work piece upon the track along the controlled path so that the work stations traverse the work piece.