Abstract: An accumulation conveyor for transporting articles includes a plurality of rollers defining a conveying surface, a frame supporting the plurality of rollers, a drive belt selectively couplable with the plurality of rollers to drive the plurality of rollers, and an actuator assembly having at least one piezoelectric actuator assembly configured to selectively urge the drive belt into driving engagement with the plurality of rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor belt section (10) capable of bending vertically and horizontally includes a base (12) and side walls (14, 16) extending anguiarly from opposing sides of the base (12) to form a channel (18), wherein the belt section (10) is corrugated with at least two alternating peaks (20) and troughs (22) extending continuously across the side walls (14, 16) and base (12).

Abstract: A link, usable in a conveyor belt of the type with articulated links, includes a main link supporting member, in particular of plastic material, more specifically a rigid or substantially rigid material such as acetalic resin or polyamide, and a secondary or product engagement member, in particular of elastically compliant material, preferably an elastic or elastomeric material, and in particular defining a product supporting member defining a corresponding surface for supporting the product to be conveyed. Fastening elements are provided by which the secondary or product engagement member is fastened to the main link supporting member, and which include, on the secondary member, corresponding protruding elements adapted to be inserted into a respective socket formed in the main link supporting member, the socket defining corresponding perpendicular retaining undercut elements for holding the secondary or product engagement member to the selfsame main link supporting member.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a conveyor belt comprising: a load carrying core, an upper cover layer above said core, a pulley cover layer beneath said core, wherein the pulley cover layer includes at least one high elastic modulus layer which extends beneath at least a portion of the pulley cover layer and wherein the high elastic modulus layer is comprised of a high elastic modulus material and wherein the high elastic modulus material has elastic modulus which is within the range of 0.3 GPa to 220 GPa and wherein the high elastic modulus layer has a thickness which is within the range of 0.005 mm and 4 mm.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device transfer apparatus which has an excellent capacity of transferring DUTs between trays. An electronic device transfer apparatus, which transfers DUTs between trays, includes a device conveying unit. The device conveying unit includes a plurality of shuttles which hold the DUTs, an endless first guide rail which guides the shuttles, and first to third feeders which move the shuttles on the first guide rail. The shuttles are movable on the first guide rail over the entire circumference of the rail.

Abstract: A conveyor with enhanced cleanability includes a belt for conveying objects above a floor and having a forward run and a return run. A conveyor bed for supporting the belt provides an upper support for supporting the forward run of the belt and a lower support for supporting a return run of the belt. The upper support is adapted for moving toward and away from the lower support, including when the conveyor belt is sectioned into first and second portions corresponding to the forward run and the return run. A conveyor is also mounted in a cantilevered fashion, such as by embedding posts in a curable material forming a base for supporting the conveyor. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring, at high speed and in a very effective and accurate manner, particulate material from a feeder into reservoirs of a moving endless surface, e.g. a drum, by use of a pressure means, e.g. a specific three-dimensional plate, for applying pressure onto said particulate material present between said plate and said moving endless surface, and then transferring the particulate material with said moving endless surface with reservoirs to a substrate; the apparatus and method being particularly useful for the production of absorbent structures for absorbent articles.

Abstract: A universally adjustable star wheel for conveying articles on an automated handling line is disclosed. In one embodiment, the adjustable star wheel includes rotatable elements that are configured to rotate around a central axis. Each rotatable element has a central axis, a periphery, and at least one control surface for assisting in controlling the article being conveyed. The control surfaces on the rotatable elements are arranged to together form at least one pocket for the article, wherein the pocket has a width and a depth. The angle defining the control surface on at least one rotatable element is different from the angle of another rotatable element to form the depth of at least a portion of the pocket. In this embodiment, the boundaries of the pocket are configured solely by at least partially rotating at least some of the rotatable elements to adjust the location of the control surfaces of the different rotatable elements to form a pocket for the article being conveyed.

Abstract: A construction machine, according to the disclosure, for the processing and/or transport of material having a temperature-dependent viscosity is configured as a road finisher or a feeder. The construction machine comprises a machine frame on which a material bunker, an operator's platform, a primary drive as well as an undercarriage with propulsion elements are provided. The construction machine furthermore comprises a conveyor system which is configured to convey the material, wherein the conveyor system comprises at least one screw conveyor, and the at least one screw conveyor is supported by at least one bearing structure. The construction machine is characterized in that the at least one bearing structure can be heated by at least one heating element.

Abstract: A bulk material conveyor belt scraper comprises a base portion having a three-sided channel. The belt scraper also comprises a polymeric portion that protrudes outwardly from a corner of the three-sided channel. The three-sided channel of the belt scraper is adapted to engage with and partially encircles a support member having a portion with a square cross-section in a manner such that the support member is able to bias the belt scraper against a conveyor belt.

Abstract: A feeder system and associated method are provided for feeding rod components of a tobacco product, particularly a rod-shaped, cylindrical, or stick-type tobacco product, wherein such a tobacco product may be intended to be used in a smokeless manner. A hopper is configured to receive a plurality of rod components therein. A separator device is operably engaged with the hopper and is configured to receive one of the plurality of rod components at a time therefrom. An orienting device is operably engaged with the separator device. The orienting device is configured to receive the one of the plurality of rod components in a first orientation and to direct the one of the plurality of rod components into a second orientation, different from the first orientation, and toward a subsequent process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of orienting and decorating container end closures is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods used to position container end closures in a predetermined orientation and then decorate a predetermined portion of the end closures.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for horizontal movement of groups or layers of articles (10) between adjacent conveyor modules (12, 16, 34).

Abstract: A deflection device with an upstream conveyor transports objects on a first transport surface in a first direction of transport to a downstream conveyor which transports objects on a second transport surface in a second direction of transport. The first and the second direction of transport are aligned perpendicular to each other. The first and the second transport surface are substantially coplanar. A downstream assist conveyor, which transports objects on a third transport surface in the second direction of transport. The downstream assist conveyor is disposed alongside of the downstream conveyor and on one side towards the upstream conveyor. The second and the third transport surface are coplanar. Also, a method for deflecting objects using a deflection device.

Abstract: A servo rotary shingle diverter includes toothed diverter discs disposed along the path of a stream of shingles separated by spaces. In a first or home rotary position, the diverter discs are disposed entirely beneath the shingle path so that shingles pass the diverter discs unimpeded to a first destination. The diverter discs are rotated at the same rate as the moving shingles such that a tooth of the discs moves along with the shingles and into the path of a selected shingle within the gap head of the selected shingle. The discs are stopped when their teeth align to define a ramp and the next selected shingle engages and rides up the ramp and is diverted thereby to a second destination. The diverter discs are then rotated back to their home position. Every other shingle is thus diverted to the second destination while remaining shingles move on to the first destination.

Abstract: To provide workpiece inspection equipment that allows increasing inspection items without increasing the installation space of the inspection equipment as a whole by disposing a plurality of inspection stages around a rotating table for workpiece feeding. Workpiece inspection equipment 20 including a rotating table 21 for workpiece feeding which intermittently rotates with workpiece housing portions 22 provided at a plurality of circumferentially equally divided positions, a workpiece carry-in stage S0 and a workpiece carry-out stage S6 provided at predetermined positions separated in the circumferential direction of the rotating table 21, and a plurality of inspection stages S1 to S5 provided at predetermined circumferential positions of the rotating table between both stages S0 and S6, in which by increasing the number of workpiece housing portions 22 to be provided in the rotating table 21, the number of inspection stages can be increased without increasing the rotating table 21 in diameter.

Abstract: A glass slat rack is provided. The glass slat rack secures glass panels within slots. The glass slat rack includes a base frame, a vertical slat rack and a pivoting slat rack. The vertical slat rack is attached to the base frame and extends substantially perpendicular from the base frame. The vertical slat rack may include a plurality of slats substantially parallel to one another and running vertically, from the bottom end to the top end of the vertical slat rack. The pivoting slat rack is pivotally mounted to the glass slat rack. In certain embodiments, the pivoting slat rack is pivotally connected to the base frame. The pivoting slat rack also includes a plurality of slats 16 forming slots in between. The slots of the pivoting slat rack align with the slots of the vertical slat rack, and thereby secure the glass panels within.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a green body of ceramic-forming material can comprise a support device including at least one air bearing including a support surface with a plurality of apertures. In one example, the support surface is configured to circumscribe greater than 180° of a support area for the green body. In another example, the plurality of apertures include at least a quantity of apertures oriented with a fluid emitting axis extending at an oblique angle with respect to an extrusion axis. In still another example, the air bearing is adjustable. Methods for producing a green body also provide an air cushion between a support surface and the green body.

Abstract: A device (20) suitable for transforming a continuous and controlled flow (320) of absorbent material in granules (310) into an intermittent flow (250) for providing to receiving means (50, 60) movable along a direction X, comprising a feed manifold (210), an outlet nozzle (500) and a main body (200), placed between said feed manifold (210) and said outlet nozzle (500), configured to cause said absorbent material in granules (310) to flow along a direction (Y?-Y?) coinciding with the respective axes of symmetry of said feed manifold (210), said outlet nozzle (500) and said main body (200); wherein within said main body (200) a movable element (240) is housed, capable of moving alternately between a first and a second working position, in such a way that when said movable element (240) is located in the first working position, it forms a first accumulation chamber (230) of the absorbent material in granules (310) fed in a continuous manner (320), and a first discharge duct (233) of said material (310), and when

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus for transferring carts may include a transfer surface, a loading station lift, a working station lift, and a controller. The transfer surface may include a loading station and a working station arranged laterally with respect to the loading station. The loading station lift may include loading station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the loading station lift. The working station lift may include working station rollers that are in rotatable engagement with the working station lift. The controller that can actuate the loading station lift and the working station lift between a loading state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively low distance above the transfer surface and a transferring state with the loading station rollers and the working station rollers offset a relatively high distance above the transfer surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for singulating articles in an automatic stack feeder are disclosed. The automatic stack feeder may comprise a pressure sensor on a perforated drive belt assembly configured to sense the pressure exerted by a stack of articles. The sensed pressure may be used to control various portions of the automatic stack feeder, such as a belt or a paddle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a main body, a recording sheet receiving portion configured to receive a recording sheet, an image forming portion configured to form an image on the recording sheet, a particular feed roller configured to feed the recording sheet toward the image forming portion, and a holding frame configured to rotatably support the particular feed roller such that the particular feed roller is exposed toward the recording sheet receiving portion. The holding frame has a roller receiving portion configured to receive the particular feed roller therein and a replacement opening for exposing the particular feed roller toward an opposite side of the holding frame relative to the recording sheet receiving portion. The particular feed roller is configured to be attached to and removed from the holding frame via the replacement opening on the opposite side of the holding frame relative to the recording sheet receiving portion.

Abstract: A feeding device includes a loading unit for loading a sheet, a feeding roller section that has a shaft member on which a first roller and a second roller are disposed, and that feeds the sheet, and a holding member that holds the feeding roller section such that the first and second rollers are moved to a contact position where the first and second rollers are in contact with the sheet loaded on the loading unit and a separate position where the first and second rollers are separated from the sheet loaded on the loading unit. When the width of the sheet is less than or equal to a predetermined length, the first roller is in contact with the sheet whereas the second roller is not in contact with the sheet. The loading unit has a hole provided at a position opposite to the second roller.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying book blocks includes a feed conveyor to successively transport the book blocks with optional spacing. A buffer conveyor, arranged downstream of the feed conveyor and connected to a control unit, receives a plurality of the book blocks from the feed conveyor and transports them at a first speed, fitting against each other without a gap. A downstream clocking-in conveyor, coupled to the control unit, respectively receives a single book block from the buffer conveyor at the first speed, accelerates and transports the single book block from the first speed to a second speed. A downstream despatch conveyor includes a plurality of spaced apart pushers defining respective gaps between successive pushers. Each book is transported at the second speed toward the despatch conveyor and is inserted into one of the gaps between two successive pushers on the despatch conveyor.

Abstract: A paper-sheet feeding unit includes: a feed roller configured to be rotated when feeding out a paper sheet, the feed roller having a high friction portion placed on a part of a circumference of an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a low friction portion placed on a location of the outer circumferential surface thereof other than the high friction portion, the low friction portion having a frictional coefficient smaller than that of the high friction portion; and a gate member arranged to be pressed against the outer circumferential surface of the feed roller, the gate member constituting a gate section configured to separate, one by one, the paper sheets fed out by the feed roller.

Abstract: A method and article determine a greatest distance between adjacent sensors along the media path and command a flushing to advance media the determined greatest distance in the print engine and the peripheral device.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus performs a continuous printing job in a normal sheet interval mode as an initially setting mode when an arrival waiting control such as a feed retry control is not performed. In the normal sheet interval mode, a feeding action is performed such that a sheet interval between successive two sheets is set at a predetermined normal sheet interval during the continuous printing. When the initially setting mode is not maintained, the continuous printing is performed with switching the sheet interval mode to an extended sheet interval mode for performing the feeding action with an extended sheet interval which is longer than the normal sheet interval.

Abstract: A sheet feeder having: a base portion configured to support thereon a stack of sheets piled on top of another; a blower configured to blow air to the stack of sheets supported on the base portion so as to float one or more sheets in an uppermost portion of the stack of sheets; a suction/feed system located above the base portion, the suction/feed system configured to suck the sheet floated by the blower and to feed the sheet in a predetermined feeding direction; a photographic device configured to take a picture of the one or more sheets floated by the blower; and an illuminating device configured to emit light to the one or more sheets floated by the blower a plurality of times during one exposure process carried out by the photographic device.

Abstract: A skew correction apparatus includes a first roller pair configured to nip a sheet to convey the sheet, a second roller pair provided upstream of the first roller pair and configured to nip the sheet and convey the sheet, a contact portion provided downstream of the first roller pair and configured to come in contact with a leading edge of the sheet conveyed with the first roller pair to correct a skew of the sheet, and a separation mechanism configured to set the second roller pair to a separated state before the skew of the sheet conveyed downstream with the first roller pair is corrected.

Abstract: Processes for initiating a web winding process, more particularly a processes for initiating a web winding process that doesn't require the use of a threading rope or manually threading a tail of the web like known processes are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing a new web having repeated patterns, to a web in use moving along a predetermined path and also having repeated patterns. The apparatus having: a handling device to advance the new web at the same speed as the web in use and positioning a segment of the new web to overlap a segment of the web in use such that the corresponding patterns align; a cutting device for cutting the overlapping segments of the webs at the area interposed between two successive patterns and dividing each web into an upstream portion and a downstream portion; a folding device for selectively folding either the upstream portion of the web in use and the downstream portion of the new web outside the overlapping area; and an applicator for applying a splicing buffer on the adjacent the cut portions of the two webs to be joined.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tape splicing system for coupling a leading end of a staged tape to a trailing end of a running tape to form a continuous tape. The splicing system can comprise a connector having an opening for allowing the running tape to pass through, a leading end element having an opening for engaging the connector, and a trailing end element. The leading end element can be secured to the leading end of the staged tape and the trailing end element can be secured to the trailing end of the running tape. The connector can couple the leading end element to the trailing end element to splice the staged tape to the running tape.

Abstract: Coreless rolls of tissue, such as rolls of bath tissue or paper towels, are produced by winding tissue logs on a mandrel having retractable pins. During winding, the pins extend and penetrate the first several windings of the log as it is initially wound, which prevents slippage. After the winding is complete, the pins retract to allow the tissue log to slide off of the mandrel for subsequent slitting into individual product rolls and packaging. The penetration of the pins into the first several windings of the log tends to mechanically entangle and structurally unify those windings to create a “soft core”. At the same time, the properties of the tissue sheets within the soft core are the same as the other sheets within the roll and are therefore usable by the consumer.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus includes a vertically movable tray that moves vertically in accordance with an amount of stacked folded sheets which are transported and stacked thereon, a plate that is disposed above the vertically movable tray and that does not move in accordance with transport of a folded sheet, a recognizing unit that recognizes a predetermined height state of a sheet stacked on the vertically movable tray, and a controller that controls the vertically movable tray so as to, in response to a recognition of the predetermined height state of the sheet by the recognizing unit, move the vertically movable tray upward, press the sheet stacked on the vertically movable tray against the plate, and subsequently move the vertically movable tray downward.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sheet bundle binding processing apparatus which can be structured small and compact while a setting portion for manually setting a sheet bundle from the outside is arranged at an external casing. The present invention comprises a sheet bundle binding processing apparatus including a manual setting portion to which a sheet bundle is inserted, a binding device which binds a sheet bundle inserted to the manual setting portion, a first driving portion, and a second driving portion; the first driving portion and the second driving portion being arranged respectively at the upper side and the lower side as sandwiching the manual setting portion.

Abstract: A method of winding bulked continuous filament yarn is disclosed, which enables superior yarn package formation, including higher density packages with excellent shape and yarn takeoff characteristics. The method uses unique helix angles and winding profiles in a non-adjacent and adjacent yarn pattern, achieved by a unique winding control strategy that constantly monitors spindle speed, desired wind ratio, traverse cam speed, and surface speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring opening and closing delay time of elevator brake, the method including outputting, by a brake signal output unit, a brake signal, receiving, by a brake signal checking unit, the brake signal and determining whether the brake signal is an opening signal or a closing signal to output an opening/closing determination signal, receiving, by a brake counter unit, the opening/closing determination signal, and starting a count for measuring a brake opening time or a brake closing time to accumulate and output counted value, determining, by a motor drive checking unit, whether a motor configured to drive an elevator is driven upon receipt of the counted values and outputting a drive determination signal, and receiving, by a brake opening/closing delay computation unit, the drive determination signal and the counted value to compute a brake opening/closing delay time.

Abstract: A connecting element connects a first wall panel with a second wall panel. A first spring element is supported on the upper part of the connecting element and on one side of a first bend. A second spring element is supported on the upper part and on one side of a second bend. The other side of the second bend presses on one side of the first bend. The connecting element is introduced without a tool into a first slot of the first bend and the second bend is placed at a second slot over the connecting element.

Abstract: In a method for reeving an elevator, a hoisting element of a hoisting device is fixed to a first lifting point, and the hoisting element of the hoisting device is fixed to a second lifting point of the hoisting rope. The hoisting rope is lifted in the elevator hoistway with the hoisting device until the first lifting point and the second lifting point are at the top part of the elevator hoistway. The first end of the hoisting rope is guided to a first fixing point, and the second end of the hoisting rope is guided to a second fixing point. The first end is fixed to a first fixing point and the second end is fixed to the second fixing point.

Abstract: A lift assembly that includes a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The base defines an outlet positioned closer to the first side than to the second side. The lift assembly further includes a take-up mechanism mounted to the base, and a cable having a stored portion on the take-up mechanism and a free portion extending from the take-up mechanism through the outlet.

Abstract: An illuminated vehicle lift assembly having a jack assembly with a top wall, a base wall, first and second lateral walls, a front wall, a rear wall, and wheels. The jack assembly further has power means and illumination means. The illuminated vehicle lift assembly further has a handle assembly and an electrical system. The handle assembly mounts onto the jack assembly, whereby an end is forced into a receiving slot until a first electrical connector couples with a second electrical connector, and retaining walls block, or otherwise restrict, locking protrusions. The illuminated vehicle lift assembly facilitates lifting of a vehicle for changing a vehicle wheel assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a scissor lift table having a base unit (12) and a carrier unit (14) being adjustable plane-parallel relative to the base unit (12) by means of a scissor unit(16) provided with a drive device (18).

Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, an industrial vehicle can include a camera and one or more processors. The camera can capture an input image of ceiling lights of the ceiling of the warehouse. The one or more processors can execute machine readable instructions to detect transversal edges from the ceiling lights of the input image. The machine readable instructions executed by the one or more processors can determine points of convergence between the transversal edges and a first edge line and a second edge line. The machine readable instructions executed by the one or more processors can select a set of point fixes from the points of convergence. The machine readable instructions executed by the one or more processors can navigate the industrial vehicle through the warehouse utilizing the centerline and the set of point fixes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a load lifting assembly to lift and transport the loads. The assembly comprises a fixed pole and a lifting unit capable of moving longitudinally along the pole. The assembly further comprises a load transporting unit coupled to the lifting unit and a driving unit to provide the motive force to the load transporting unit.

Abstract: A transferring apparatus is provided with a heavy object cassette which is a heavy object contained in a cassette integrally, a common steel plate to which support rods are fixed, the support rods being inserted in holes formed horizontally in the heavy object cassette, and a play mechanism which allows adjustment of a relative position between the holes and the support rods by adjusting a position of the common steel plate, a base unit having thereon the play mechanism and a lifting and lowering device, and a slide mechanism which supports the base unit and is movable forward and backward relative to a main body of the transferring apparatus.

Abstract: A supporting-and-lifting device for filling stations on a filling machine has a base element, a container carrier including a component that moves parallel to a filling-element axis, an auxiliary lifting element integrated in the container carrier, and a further piston mounted centrally in the auxiliary lifting element. The piston has a head plate. The auxiliary lifting element has, at its upper end, a container plate made from its collar-shaped upper and the head plate. The lifting element can be raised for cleaning or disinfecting. The lifting element is movable by the filling element into a sealed position. The piston is movable independently of the lifting element in a direction parallel to the filling element axis. In a work position, which represents a vertically lower end position, the piston and the lifting element in the sealed position define a rinse sleeve.

Abstract: A method of preserving and controlling dispensed liquids is achieved exclusively and uniquely through operation of direct or indirect actuation of gas control valves acting systemically upon the liquid container and its contents so as to cause and control the flow of dispensed liquids held within the container.

Abstract: A water dispenser includes a pump which can lift water in an exchangeable raw water container into a water storage tank in a casing. The water dispenser further includes a water level sensor in the form of a float sensor for detecting the upper limit and the lower limit of the water level in the water storage tank. The water dispenser further includes a controller adapted to activate the pump upon receiving a sensor input indicative of detection of the lower limit, and deactivate the pump upon receiving sensor input indicative of detection of the upper limit. The controller is further adapted to measure the time elapsed since the pump was activated, and deactivate the pump when the time elapsed reaches a predetermined time at which the water level exceeds the upper limit and at which water in the water storage tank has not yet overflown the water storage tank.

Abstract: A fuel transaction tracking system such as used at gasoline pumps wherein a four wire data system is operated utilizing two wires and a multiplexing system to connect to a remote four wire station including computer.

Abstract: In one example, a saddle for an animal contains a tree assembly. The tree assembly includes a center support intended to run substantially parallel to an animal's spine when the saddle is in use, a first hinge associated with a first end of the center support that defines a first axis, the first axis being perpendicular to a first portion of the center support, and a first transverse support associated with the first hinge configured to rotate around the first axis.