Abstract: A machine for forming a container from a blank of sheet material includes a frame and an identification tag applicator mounted to the frame. The blank includes a first surface that forms an interior surface of the container and a second surface that forms an exterior surface of the container. The identification tag applicator is configured to apply an identification tag to the first surface of the blank. The machine also includes a mandrel assembly mounted to the frame and located operationally downstream from the identification tag applicator. The mandrel assembly includes a mandrel having an external shape complimentary to an internal shape of at least a portion of the container. The machine also includes a lift assembly configured to lift the blank having the identification tag adhered thereto towards the mandrel and wrap the blank about the mandrel.

Abstract: A conveyor provided with a sidewardly spaced pair of elongate roller systems which are downwardly inclined and are maintained in rolling engagement with legs associated with outer edge portions of a pallet. A conveying arrangement extends longitudinally midway between the roller systems and includes a vertically movable roller unit actuatable so that, when raised upwardly the rollers engage and lift a center portion of the pallet to permit gravity-urged movement downwardly along the conveyor. The roller unit, when lowered, permits the center portion of the pallet to engage a stationary brake structure.

Abstract: A level gravity conveyor provides a plurality of individual load-engaging support pads aligned longitudinally along the conveyor. The pads are movably supported on runway segments which extend longitudinally. Each runway segment defines an upper raceway surface which movably supports the pad, which upper surface in the preferred embodiment is defined by a plurality of support rollers. The runway segments are alternately raised and lowered so that, when in a raised position, the upper surfaces slope downward in the forward direction. The pads engage and vertically lift the loads when the runway segments are in the raised position, whereby the weight of the loads causes the pads to move downwardly by gravity along the inclined upper surfaces to forwardly advance the loads through a small distance.

Abstract: A storage rack arrangement for permitting a plurality of loads to be disposed closely adjacent in aligned front-to-back relationship longitudinally along a generally horizontally elongated storage bay. The storage rack arrangement includes a frame which defines the storage bay and which has a pair of generally parallel support tracks fixedly mounted thereon adjacent opposite sides of the bay. The support tracks are elongated longitudinally along the bay in the front-to-back direction and are slightly downwardly inclined as they project toward a front of the bay. A telescoping carriage assembly is movably mounted on the support tracks and includes at least front and rear carriages which are each adapted to have a load mounted thereon when the front and rear carriages are in an extended position. The rear carriage includes generally parallel side frame elements which are longitudinally elongated, hollow, and open at the front ends thereof.

Abstract: A conveyor arrangement, as associated with a storage rack, employs a plurality of individual load-supporting trolleys or pads supported on sloped runway segments which are activated by a cyclically-actuated vertical lifting arrangement, with this arrangement being supported within a rail or frame structure having supporting flanges for the loads. When the lifting device is activated to lift the inclined runway segments and pads upwardly, the loads are lifted away from the supporting flanges, whereby the weight of the loads causes the pads to move downwardly by gravity along the sloped runway segments to forwardly advance the loads a small amount, until the loads again contact the support flanges. When the pads are lowered due to lowering of the lifting arrangement, the pads are biased back to a raised position along the upper end of the runway segments whereby they are again engaged under the load to permit repeat of the cycle.

Abstract: A transporting arrangement, specifically suited for use in a storage rack, employing gravity-urged wheel-supported buggies for storing and transporting goods. The buggies are rollingly supported on elongated rails having flat support surfaces for engagement with the buggy wheels, and a pulsating activating device coacts with and extends longitudinally along the apparatus for causing the buggy to be cyclically relatively moved into and out of engagement with a longitudinally elongated brake in a repetitive manner to permit the buggy to move by gravity in a controlled steplike manner downwardly along the inclined support rails.

Abstract: A method wherein palletized loads are deposited on a gravity-type conveyor at the upper end, and are moved by gravity toward the lower end, with the palletized loads being stored on the conveyor until the load at the lower end is removed, whereupon the loads are then automatically advanced downwardly. The conveyor includes a pair of parallel roller assemblies which vertically cyclically reciprocate according to a preselected pattern, the reciprocation of the roller assemblies being controlled by pneumatically inflatable hoses. Upon inflation, the roller assemblies are lifted upwardly to permit gravity-urged advance of the palletized loads, and upon deflation the loads are automatically lowered into braking engagement with stationary brake flanges positioned adjacent the roller assemblies.

Abstract: A gravity-type roller conveyor having plural rollers mounted on an elongated support member which is movably positioned within an elongated frame member. The upper edges of the frame member have sidewardly extending flanges which define braking surfaces. An elongated hose is positioned in the bottom of the frame member and, when inflated, causes the support member and rollers to raise upwardly so that the rollers project above the braking surfaces. The hose, when at least partially deflated, causes the support member to move downwardly so that the rollers are positioned below the braking surfaces, whereby the articles supported on the rollers are lowered into engagement with the braking surfaces. A control device provides pressurized air to the hose in a pulsating manner to cause periodic raising and lowering of the rollers for controlling movement of the articles.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a powered roller conveyor wherein a continuously driven line shaft extends transversely of the conveyor rollers substantially in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor. A plurality of friction driving rollers are spaced longitudinally along the line shaft and are disposed with their respective rotational axes extending approximately parallel with the conveyor roller axes, whereby these driving rollers are disposed in friction driving engagement with the conveyor rollers so that each conveyor roller is directly driven from one of the driving rollers. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of shiftable sleeves, preferably of conical configuration, are slidably mounted on the line shaft and are rotatable therewith. These sleeves can be shifted into friction driving engagement with an axial end face on the driving rollers to selectively drive same.

Abstract: An improved drive mechanism for a powered pan conveyor wherein a rotatable line shaft extends longitudinally of the conveyor in transverse relationship to a plurality of uniformly spaced roller assemblies. Each roller assembly includes a support axle which extends between and is rotatably supported on a pair of side frames, and a pair of flanged rollers are nonrotatably secured to the support axle in spaced relationship therealong, whereby the flanged rollers drivingly support and drivingly confine an object such as a pan or pallet therebetween. The line shaft has enlarged driving collars thereon which, in a preferred embodiment, comprise sleeves which are axially shiftable relative to the line shaft and cooperate with the respective roller assemblies.

Abstract: A gravity-type roller conveyor having a plurality of rollers rotatably supported by axles which extend substantially horizontally. The axles are supported at one end thereof by a support device which extends longitudinally along one side of the conveyor and permits the axles, and hence the rollers, to pivot vertically through a small angle about said one side of the conveyor. An actuating device is disposed adjacent and extends longitudinally along the other side of the conveyor, which actuating device supports the other ends of the axles thereon for vertically lifting and lowering these ends through a limited extent, thereby causing the axles and hence the rollers to pivot about said one end. The actuating device includes an elongated intermediate support member extending longitudinally along the conveyor and having the other ends of the axles positioned thereon, which intermediate support member in turn is positioned on a pulsating actuating member, particularly an inflatable elongated hose.