Abstract: A drive mechanism for a conveyor system. A pair of conveyors are located in parallel spaced relation and each conveyor includes a drive pulley with the drive pulleys being axially aligned. A transfer conveyor consisting of a plurality of parallel drive rollers is located between adjacent ends of the main conveyors. A rotatable input shaft driven by a motor is connected to a bevel gear unit which includes a pair of output shafts disposed normal to the input shaft and the output shafts are operably connected to the respective drive pulleys to drive the main conveyors. In addition, the bevel gear unit includes a second output shaft which is operably connected to one of the rollers of the transfer conveyor to drive that roller. Rotation of the driven roller is transmitted to the other rollers in the transfer conveyor by endless bands that are connected between adjacent rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining and folding container sections to form a hinged container. Two container sections are transported in end-to-end relation on a conveyor and the downstream section is engaged with a stop while a pusher member is pivoted into engagement with the trailing edge of the upstream section to force the sections together and engage snap fitted hinge elements on the two sections. The hinged container is then discharged from the first conveyor onto a second conveyor located at a level beneath the first conveyor and operating at a slower speed than the first conveyor. As the leading section of the hinged container falls from the upper conveyor onto the lower conveyor the increased speed of the upper conveyor will fold the trailing section over the leading section to provide a closed hinged container. The closed container then passes under a spring loaded pressure member which ensures that locking elements on the two container sections are fully engaged.

Abstract: An improved storage unit for a conveyor system. Articles are conveyed on a main conveyor and a plurality of secondary conveyors extend laterally from a side edge of the main conveyor. When a slow-down occurs downstream in the conveyor system, successive rows of articles are stopped on the main conveyor and are transferred onto the secondary conveyors. When the secondary conveyors are filled with rows of articles, the rows are elevated to a storage location. Subsequently, when the slow-down ceases, the rows of articles are lowered onto the secondary conveyors, and are returned to the main conveyor. As each row is moved onto the main conveyor, an elongated positioning member is pivoted downwardly from an elevated storage location into engagement with a trailing surface on each of the articles in the row to urge the articles back onto the main conveyor.

Abstract: An improved bearing construction for mounting carriers on an endless chain elevator. The elevator comprises a pair of endless chains mounted to travel in parallel offset vertical paths. The opposite corners of a plurality of carriers or platforms are connected to the respective chains by bearing assemblies, and as the chains move in their path of travel the carriers move in a generally rectangular path. Each bearing assembly includes a housing having an axial opening the receives a sleeve. A shaft is journalled within the sleeve and is connected to the respective chain. The sleeve is mounted for both linear and pivoting horizontal movement within the housing so that the sleeve can move horizontally but not vertically to accommodate any misalignment between the two chain drives.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading articles into a container. The articles, in the form of a side-by-side stack of small trays or boxes, are conveyed along a conveyor and are discharged into a bin, which is mounted for pivoting movement between an article receiving position, in which the base of the bin is located at an acute angle to the horizontal, to a discharge position where the base is disposed generally vertical. The stack of articles received within the bin is supported against a movable end wall, and clamping means is provided to clamp the stack laterally against a side wall of the bin, as well as clamping the stack against the base. With the stack clamped in the bin, the bin is then rotated to the discharge position and the movable end wall is moved to a release position. The bin is then lowered to lower the stack into a container, and on release of the clamping mechanism the stack is discharged into the container.

Abstract: A stacker assembly for a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a belt conveyor to convey a plurality of articles having a size such that the sides of the articles overhang the side edges of the conveyor. A pair of lift blocks are disposed beneath and on opposite sides of the conveyor and can be moved from an outer retracted position to an inner lifting position. In the lifting position the inner edges of the lift blocks are located beneath the overhanging sides of an article stopped on the conveyor. The lift blocks are elevated by means of a fluid cylinder to raise the article above the conveyor and into a storage rack. As the article is elevated, cams on the lift blocks engage cam surfaces on spaced support members to wedge the support members apart and enable the articles to be elevated above the support members. The support members automatically return to the supporting position to hold the article in the storage rack.

Abstract: A storage unit for storing articles being conveyed on a conveyor system. The storage unit is located laterally adjacent a main conveyor, and includes a plurality of spaced parallel secondary conveyors that are disposed laterally of the main conveyor. The storage unit also includes a lifting assembly composed of a plurality of generally parallel supports which are adapted to pass within the spaces between the secondary conveyors as the lifting assembly is moved vertically. To operate the storage unit, a stop member is moved to an obstructing position with respect to the main conveyor to stop a row or train of articles, and the train of articles is then pushed laterally from the main conveyor by a pusher unit onto the secondary conveyors where the train is conveyed to the ends of the secondary conveyors. In this manner, successive rows or trains of articles are transferred from the main conveyor to the secondary conveyors until the secondary conveyors are filled.

Abstract: A conveying system including a pair of endless belt conveyors that are in vertically spaced relation. A series of work stations are located along the length of the conveyors and a plurality of small pallets which contain workpieces or component parts are conveyed on the upper conveyor and are individually pushed from the upper conveyor onto an inclined lateral conveyor where they are delivered to a work station. After a working operation has been performed on the workpiece, the pallets are conveyed to the lower conveyor. A plurality of finger stop assemblies are located in the conveyor system and are arranged to stop and accumulate a series of pallets. On signal, the finger stop assemblies are retracted to permit movement of the pallets on the conveyor. A pivotable conveyor section is incorporated in the system and can, when pivoted, transfer pallets from the lower conveyor to the upper conveyor.

Abstract: An elevator for a conveyor system and adapted to move articles between two different vertical levels. The elevator comprises a pair of endless chains mounted to travel in parallel offset vertical paths. The opposite corners of a plurality of platforms or carriers are connected to the respective chains and as the chains move in their paths of travel, the platforms move in a generally rectangular path consisting of an upward vertical run, an upper horizontal run, a downward vertical run, and a lower horizontal run. Horizontal conveyors located at different vertical levels intersect the vertical runs of the platforms, and the platforms are provided with recesses so that the platforms can move vertically around the conveyors. Articles to be conveyed are delivered to the elevator by one of said conveyors, and are individually lifted from the conveyor by a platform moving in the upward vertical run.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer mechanism for transferring ferro magnetic articles from one endless belt conveyor to another. The transfer mechanism includes a magnetic pulley and the conveyor belts are disposed in side-by-side relation on the pulley. Guide rails are disposed outwardly of the pulley and arranged in a generally helical configuration and serve to guide the articles from one belt to the other belt as the belts travel over the pulley.