Abstract: A pump suitable for use with contamination-sensitive fluids such as food products or pharmaceutical fluids includes an outer casing containing an internal cavity, the outer casing having an enlarged opening on one end, a second opening on an opposite end, a first inlet port and a first outlet port. The internal cavity has pumping parts disposed substantially within the cavity, the pumping parts comprising end blocks each having a drive and idler shaft support, a drive shaft and an idler shaft, a plurality of pumping wheels, and a center block with an internal cavity defining a pumping chamber. The enlarged opening of the outer casing is sealed by an end cap, an elastomeric seal and a quickly removable industry-standard clamp. The second opening of the outer casing is provided for the drive shaft and is sealed by an elastomeric shaft seal. The pumping wheels are rotationally active with, but not axially retained, on respective support shafts and are substantially free to slide on their respective axes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable conveyor for use with an apparatus handling contamination-sensitive discrete items. The conveyor has at least one cavity, each cavity capable to carry at least one discrete item. The conveyor is adapted to be mounted on the contamination-sensitive apparatus that, in operation, is capable to impart movement to the conveyor for displacing the conveyor, and its cavities, along a predetermined path. The present invention also relates to a method for transporting discrete items in a machine performing production runs with different types of contamination-sensitive discrete items. The method involves installing a conveyor as described above on the machine and using it to perform a first production run with a first type of discrete items. The conveyor is then disposed of and a new conveyor installed on the machine, used to perform a second production run with a second type of discrete items, different from the first type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable conveyor for use with an apparatus handling contamination-sensitive discrete items. The conveyor has at least one cavity, each cavity capable to carry at least one discrete item. The conveyor is adapted to be mounted on the contamination-sensitive apparatus that, in operation, is capable to impart movement to the conveyor for displacing the conveyor, and its cavities, along a predetermined path. The present invention also relates to a method for transporting discrete items in a machine performing production runs with different types of contamination-sensitive discrete items. The method involves installing a conveyor as described above on the machine and using it to perform a first production run with a first type of discrete items. The conveyor is then disposed of and a new conveyor installed on the machine, used to perform a second production run with a second type of discrete items, different from the first type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gage element constituting a reference unit against which a certain article, such as a cardboard box can be compared to determine if a condition of a dimensional match exists. The gage element includes a computer readable storage medium holding a plurality of data elements associated with the box. The computer readable storage medium has an output allowing the data elements to be transferred to an apparatus for processing the certain article, the data elements being operative to alter the settings of the apparatus so as to-adapt it specifically for the box to be currently processed. In a specific example, this apparatus is a palletizer machine that arranges individual boxes into a stack forming a pallet. The data elements could be the dimensions of the box, the weight of the box, the stacking pattern and the dimensions of the stack, among others.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking system for a DC motor. The braking system includes a current control element placed across the terminals of the DC motor to regulate the magnitude of the electric current generated by the motor when the motor is in a braking mode of operation. In the most preferred embodiment, the current control element includes a semiconductor switch, such as a transistor, that is repeatedly pulsed on and off to act as a controlled short circuit across the armature of the motor. The rotational energy is dissipated as heat by the inherent resistance of the motor windings that may be augmented by an external resistor, if desired. Another possibility is to use a current control element that includes a variable load designed to dissipate the rotational energy in the form of heat. The impedance of the load element is gradually reduced as the speed of the motor is reduced to maintain the rate of energy dissipation near the peak allowable value for the structure of the DC motor.

Abstract: A container distribution apparatus having a frame surrounding a revolvable turret, the revolvable turret comprises intermediate transport members in the shape of slots adapted to receive containers from a feeding member such as a conveyor belt, to transport and to deliver containers to accumulator members located between the revolvable turret and the processing machines, to retrieve containers from accumulator members, and to transport containers to a exiting member such as a conveyor belt, each accumulator member is capable of carrying containers to and from a processing machine. A synchronization unit coordinates the transfer of containers to and from the accumulator members by activating a drive mechanism in a step-like manner to rotate the revolvable turret and by activating the opening and closing of gates located at the junction of the intermediate transport members and the accumulator members.

Abstract: An apparatus to cap in succession containers transported in serial order on a conveyor belt. The apparatus comprises a cap dispensing station operating in a timed-relationship with the container feed rate to loosely apply on each container a screw-type cap in thread alignment with the threads on the container neck. The cap dispensing station includes a cap relase passage at least partially closed by a resilient lip preventing a cap to travel through the passage under the effect of gravity. A selectively actuatable cap ejector drives the cap out of the passage against the resiliency of the lip, freeing the cap which is deposited on a container underneath. During the cap movement through the passage, the resilient lip frictionally engages the cap, guiding same, to allow precise positioning of the cap on the container. A cap tightening station is provided downstream of the cap dispensing station to rotatably engage the caps loosely applied to the containers to tighten same.

Abstract: A thumb actuator for a folding knife. The thumb actuator comprises an elongated body with a recess therein for receiving the non-cutting edge of the knife blade, a set screw threadedly mounted to said body and protruding in said recess to lock the body on the blade, and a circular knurled head forming a thumb engaging surface.