Abstract: Water treatment systems and methods are provided to minimize membrane fouling and the required maintenance that results therefrom. A water treatment system includes a pressure vessel with a plurality of spaced-apart membranes disposed therein, and an impeller or other means for circulating feed water through the interior of the vessel and past the membranes. Antifouling particles (such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon) and/or pellets can be added to the feed water inhibit membrane fouling and extend the useful life of the membranes. A pressure differential across the membranes can be periodically reduced or eliminated, for example by closing a permeate valve, while the feed water continues to circulate.

Abstract: Sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a rotatable cam nip, rotatable about a first axis and provided on one side of the travel path, such that the sheet of material can pass by the cam nip. The cam nip includes a lobe end, such that when the lobe end is away from the travel path, the sheet of material can pass substantially unimpeded past the cam nip, and when the lobe end is near the travel path, the sheet of material is nipped by the cam nip decelerating the sheet of material from the first speed to a second speed.

Abstract: Water treatment systems and methods are provided to minimize membrane fouling and the required maintenance that results therefrom. A water treatment system includes a pressure vessel with a plurality of spaced-apart membranes disposed therein, and an impeller or other means for circulating feed water through the interior of the vessel and past the membranes. Antifouling particles (such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon) and/or pellets can be added to the feed water inhibit membrane fouling and extend the useful life of the membranes.

Abstract: A sheet deceleration apparatus includes a pair of rotatable rollers, being rotatable about first and second axes, the rollers positioned on opposite sides of the travel path. At least one of the rollers is moveable relative to the other to nip the sheet between the rollers to reduce the travel speed of the sheet. A vacuum conveyor is further provided along the travel path subsequent the pair of rollers to control delivery of the sheet to a stacking hopper. A third rotatable roller, or similar apparatus, may be included in some embodiments, for pushing the sheet of material away from the vacuum conveyor at the appropriate time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to sheet deceleration apparatus and methods for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The deceleration apparatus includes a pair of rotatable rollers, being rotatable about first and second axes, the rollers positioned on opposite sides of the travel path. At least one of the rollers is moveable relative to the other to nip the sheet between the rollers to reduce the travel speed of the sheet. A vacuum conveyor is further provided along the travel path subsequent the pair of rollers to control delivery of the sheet to a stacking hopper. A third rotatable roller, or similar apparatus, may be included in some embodiments, for pushing the sheet of material away from the vacuum conveyor at the appropriate time.

Abstract: A water treatment and conveyance system includes a plurality of substantially planar membrane elements arranged in a stack. Adjacent membrane elements in the stack are spaced apart from one another by element spacers. The element spacers have one or more openings that are in fluid communication with the permeate sides of adjacent membrane elements. The openings are sealed off from the source water sides of the membrane elements by one or more sealing members. The openings in the element spacers cooperate to define a conduit for the filtered permeate. Methods for treating water and conveying treated water are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an apparatus for feeding a stack of sheet stock in blocks. The apparatus includes a backstop, a block pusher plate, and at least one sensor for determining a height differential between the stack at generally near a lead edge of the stack and the stack at generally near a trail edge of the stack. The apparatus automatically adjusts for warp in the sheet stock. The present disclosure further includes a method comprising obtaining a first measurement at generally near a lead edge side of the stack, obtaining a second measurement at generally near a trail edge side of the stack, comparing the first and second measurements, and pushing the portion of sheet stock from the stack with a block pusher plate when the second measurement is within a predetermined tolerance of the first measurement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sheet feeding method and apparatus by which sheets of material can be fed, one at a time, into a processing or finishing machine. The present disclosure includes a continuously moving feed means that is driven and moves continuously at line speed. The continuously moving feed means are provided with vacuum means to pull the sheet into engagement with the feed means. A feed plate is provided for movement between a lowered, feed position in which the feed plate is lowered to a position below the feed means and a raised, no feed position in which the feed plate is raised to a position just above the feed means to prevent a sheet from being fed. In one embodiment, the movement of the feed plate is provided and controlled via a rotating, profiled eccentric which is driven by a servo electric motor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The apparatus includes a pair of rollers moveable toward and away from one another to nip the sheet traveling between them. The method includes delivering a sheet between a pair of rollers and moving the rollers toward one another to nip, and thus decelerate, the speed of the sheet.

Abstract: A bottom sheet inserter is described in which a conveyor is provided on a frame that defines a path for a load. The conveyor is operable to move the load in a forward direction along the path. A bottom sheet insertion station is situated between first and second conveyor flights which support and move a load in a forward direction. A bottom sheet feeder is operable to feed a bottom sheet through the bottom sheet insertion station and under the load as the load moves from the first flight and onto the second flight.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decelerating a sheet of material for use in a sheet stacking or other application. The apparatus includes a pair of rollers moveable toward and away from one another to nip the sheet traveling between them. The method includes delivering a sheet between a pair of rollers and moving the rollers toward one another to nip, and thus decelerate, the speed of the sheet.

Abstract: A bottom sheet inserter is described in which a conveyor is provided on a frame that defines a path for a load. The conveyor is operable to move the load in a forward direction along the path. A bottom sheet insertion station is situated between first and second conveyor flights which support and move a load in a forward direction. A bottom sheet feeder is operable to feed a bottom sheet through the bottom sheet insertion station and under the load as the load moves from the first flight and onto the second flight.

Abstract: A roll feed bottom sheet inserter is described in which a conveyor on a conveyor frame includes a working flight defining a load support surface and a forward load path leading to a bottom sheet insertion station. A bottom sheet roll support mounting a bottom sheet roll is located adjacent to and extends alongside the working flight to feed sheet material from the roll to the conveyor. A training surface is oriented to receive material from the roll and to angularly deflect the material to a feed path that converges with the load support surface from under the working flight. A bottom sheet feeder operates to receive material from the training surface and to feed the material through the insertion station and into the load path so the bottom sheet material may be positioned on the conveyor between the load and support surface.

Abstract: A pneumatic sheet material hold-down conveyor system is described in which a frame mounts conveyor having a movable working flight. A first manifold with a support surface movably supports the working flight. Air intake openings are formed through the support surface, connected to a vacuum source for producing suction against the sheet material to draw the sheet material against the working flight. A second manifold is also provided on the frame, with a discharge surface extending along and in spaced relation to the working flight. Air discharge openings formed through the discharge surface is directed toward the working flight. A positive air pressure source is connected to the second manifold and is configured to pressurize the second manifold such that pressurized air is delivered through the air discharge openings toward the working flight and against the sheet material to push the sheet material against the working flight.

Abstract: A counter-ejector and feeder for receiving flexible boxes delivered at a prescribed infeed rate in end-to-end relation along a plane, and a counter-ejector machine, for stacking the boxes in discrete bundles for discharge. The machine includes a general framework mounting a shingling conveyor that provides a working flight leading from an infeed end to a discharge end. The shingling conveyor is positioned with an infeed end below the delivery plane and leads angularly upwardly to a counter-ejector discharge. A driver operates the shingling conveyor to move the working flight at a selected speed less than the delivery rate of boxes to the shingling conveyor. The working flight of the shingling conveyor is inclined upwardly to a counter-ejector discharge end where shingled boxes are fed to a counter-ejector. Successive stacks of boxes are formed by the counter-ejector which includes structure for stacking and maintaining the boxes in a compressed condition.

Abstract: A stacked sheet handling machine 11 includes a top sheet hold down apparatus 10 that prevents trailing sheets from following individual blocks of sheets separated from an upright stack supported on an elevator conveyor 15. A pusher plate 20 is moved laterally of a sheet stack 14 to engage a side 22 of the stack and push a sheet block 21 laterally from the stack and onto the discharge conveyor 17. A top sheet hold down is provided along the sheet block separator to securely hold the top sheet through provision of a hold down traction arrangement 38. Two forms of the hold down traction arrangement are disclosed, both being operated to move a friction surface against the top surface of the sheet 19 to hold the sheet stationary as the block is moved towards the discharge conveyor 17.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor belt alignment system by which a pair of alignment rollers are mounted on a carrier frame about a pivot axis that is situated at the approximate transverse center between opposed longitudinal side edges of a conveyor belt. The alignment rollers are spaced longitudinally to accept and form a portion of the conveyor belt into a substantial "s" configuration. The centrally pivoted carrier frame and alignment rollers are pivoted by a pair of bladders 50, 51. Inflation of the bladders is controlled through a sensor 54 provided to detect the transverse position of an adjacent belt edge. If the belt edge shifts in one direction, the sensor detects such motion and operates the drive to selectively inflate one or the other of the air bladders to correspondingly shift the belt aligning rollers.