Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for supporting, conveying and diverting a lane of successive articles to supply four lanes so that the articles can be intermittently bunched in successive rows of four articles. The apparatus comprises a horizontal array of rollers arranged in transverse rows longitudinally spaced apart from one another. The rollers are rotatably driven about horizontal axes for providing upper rolling surfaces upon which the articles can be supported and conveyed. The rollers are operably pivotable about vertical axes for steering the articles across the array of rollers along the prescribed sharp-angled zig-zag paths.

Abstract: A pallet inspection and stacking apparatus having a frame with an upper end. An elevator can index a stack of pallets upwardly in the frame as the uppermost pallet from the stack is subject to an automatic alignment mechanism and then is transferred from the stack to a transversely located inspection mechanism. The inspection mechanism grips the side edges of the pallet and rotates the pallet for inspection purposes. A rejected pallet can be released from the inspection mechanism and deposited on another elevator that is indexed downwardly as rejected pallets are stacked on it until the rejected stack is removed by a conveyor. Accepted pallets are transferred from the inspection mechanism to an outfeed bay where the pallets are gripped and sequentially deposited on an elevator which is indexed downwardly as the stack grows.

Abstract: A combiner rail having a plurality of horizontal rows of rollers. Each horizontal row is staggered from the adjacent horizontal row to prevent containers from jamming in gaps between adjacent rollers.

Abstract: A product turning device suitable for direct mounting in a conveyor stream includes a first driven input roller which applies an accelerating force to the product as it enters the turner and which has a knurl at one end to slightly skew the product into the turning motion, and a transfer roller with a multi-beveled knurl which moves transversely against the side of the product and contacts its bottom surface to accomplish the turn. A series of guide bumpers and a guide bracket maintain alignment of the product as the input roller skews the product, and the transfer roller turns it.

Abstract: A materials handling device, such as a palletizer and/or depalletizer, which may be adapted to operate in either mode, has a mechanism, for feeding pallets to be loaded and ejecting pallets which have been unloaded, at the top of the device. The pallets are introduced into a bay and placed onto an elevator and sequentially indexed upwards a distance equal to each layer to be unloaded or downward a distance equal to each layer to be loaded. The pallets in the machine are indexed to a standard position. Ejection and introduction of loaded and unloaded pallets is automatically sequenced.

Abstract: A drive train includes a rotating shaft driven element of a materials handling device with two drive motors separately coupled to the drive shaft to provide a slow and fast traverse speed and thereby increase the throughput of the machine. A brake mounted on the rotating drive shaft allows exact positioning of the element. The drive shaft drives a gearbox with an automatic oiler to provide a measured application of oil to a bearing not lubricated by the oil bath of the gearbox reservoir. The automatic oiler includes a single action cylinder which sumps oil from the reservoir of the gearbox and which is connected in a slave relationship to any other repetitive function in the materials handling device. A counterweight attached to the piston rod automatically resets the cylinder after each operation. A method within the operation is recited for moving a rotated shaft driven element from a first position to a home position with the drive train apparatus disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for automatically sealing the end of various sized lengths of plastic tubing and for filling same has a clamshell clamp for straightening and firmly positioning the tubing, a carriage with an alignment ring which is lowered over the end of the tubing, a heat probe with a separate drive for insertion into the tube end to heat it, and a plurality of plows having depending guide legs which are simultaneously advanced radially inward against the heated tube end to collapse it and hold it as it cools, thereby creating a weld seal. An abrading arm assembly is mounted to the carriage and has an abrading brush or roller which may be rotated upon insertion into the tube end to roughen the inner surface of the tube end to enhance the weld seal. The tube straightener and the alignment ring positively align the pipe and the heat probe. A filler arm assembly is mounted to the carriage and may be extended to align with the tubing.

Abstract: A gravity roller conveyor has a pair of side frames, a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted between the side frames, with provisions for conveniently converting the conveyor to a power roller conveyor including a mounting plate to receive a motor, a center bracket disposed between the side frames to receive and mount a drive shaft and end pulley at each end of the conveyor, provision for mounting a plurality of guide pulleys between the end pulleys, and a belt tightener so that an endless belt may be looped around the pulleys and tightened in place. A center spine may be provided extending the length of the conveyor to strengthen it and minimize the size of the side frames. The guide pulley mount includes a tee bar extending between the side frames with a cross bar mounted to the leg of the tee. A tension adjustment includes a tension spring and nut which threads on the leg to compress the spring against the cross bar and urge the guide pulleys mounted on the cross bar against the drive belt.