Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for flexible guiding of conveyed products (i.e., signatures) from one location to another. In order to reduce the impact forces imparted onto a conveyed product, a flexible guide is deformable when receiving a signature to increase the time interval during which collision during a signature direction change occurs. With the increase in the time interval during which the collision of the signature and flexible guide occurs, the average impact forces are reduced thereby eliminating damage to the signature.

Abstract: A distributor apparatus (sorter) which distributes items supplied thereto to individual delivery locations, wherein the delivery locations are in the form of heat-insulated storage chutes (2).

Abstract: A gravity conveyor has a train of spaced apart load carriers distributed around a closed circuit trackway. The trackway is inclined downwardly from a loading end to an unloading end. The carriers are connected together into a train by segments of chain, so that removal of a load at the unloading end causes advance of load carriers along a lower track of the trackway. The chains are connected to protruding portions of the carrier to be away from the trackway, avoiding any frictional drag of the chain.

Abstract: A bag dispensing device comprising an elongate, tubular housing defining open top and bottom ends. Extending between the top and bottom ends is a passage for receiving and storing a plurality of bags. Extending through the passage and from the open top and bottom ends of the housing is an elongate, flexible dispensing member. The dispensing member is configured such that when pulled from the bottom end of the housing, one of the bags stored within the passage is dispensed from the bottom end.

Abstract: A longitudinally-extending constant speed decline belt conveyor for conveying a load along a downwardly sloped planar surface thereon. An endless traction belt rotatable about terminal rollers at the ends thereof, has an upper run extending in the longitudinal direction along the entire length of the conveyor. At least one of the terminal rollers of the endless traction belt is a speed control or braking roller for applying a braking force to the traction belt. The braking roller retards the rotation of the endless belt thereby retarding the movement of the load along the conveyor. A traction belt is utilized for braking so that the loads on the belt may have a uniform braking action applied thereto continuously as the loads move downwardly along the conveyor.

Abstract: A pallet track for supporting a plurality of pallets for gravity movement along an inclined path with the pallet tracks including a speed retarder or brake associated with an endless chain conveyor assembly having an upper flight supportingly engaging the under surface of a pallet. The conveyor assembly chains are constructed with a plurality of pivotally interconnected components with each of the components including offset mating edge portions receiving a pivot pin which also serves as an axle for a roller which has a periphery depending below the inner surfaces or edges of the chain for supporting engagement with a backing rail or track and also for engagement in peripheral notches in end sprocket wheels. A plurality of the pallet tracks are arranged in longitudinal alignment to form the inclined path with a conveyor chain being disposed in underlying relation to each end portion of the pallet generally in alignment with the pallet stringers.

Abstract: A laminated material and method, a liner using the material, and several methods of manufacturing the material.

Abstract: In an apparatus for placing packets of tube sections in the stacking magazine of a rotary applicator, a pivotable arm is divided between the stacking magazine and conveyor belt for supplying the tube section packets. The arm carries a longitudinally displaceable supporting frame having rollers at its ends for an endless conveyor belt. The arm is pivotable between an upper packet-receiving station and a lower packet-discharging station and is provided with an abutment for retaining the packets on the supporting frame. A braking system engages the upper run of said belt between the abutment and the rear roller and releases same to receive the packets.

Abstract: A feed pipe for conveying sticky bulk material from a bunker outlet vertically downward to a conveyor apparatus wherein the feed pipe is comprised of a plurality of truncated conical sections tapering downwards, the axial length and the diameter of the tubular sections being dimensioned such that arching of the bulk material is avoided.

Abstract: An improved conveyor belt assembly that gravity feeds a column of containers one after another to the front edge of a display rack's shelf as that column's lead containers are successively removed by customers, the conveyor belt having certain specific friction coefficient relationships relative to its support floor and the containers thereon. The improved conveyor belt assembly includes a support floor, a snap-on end cap attached to each end of the support floor, and an endless conveyor belt that tracks over an idler spool mounted on each end cap. A shock absorber against which the column's lead container abuts during use is mounted on the front one of the end caps. The end caps also include alignment structure which cooperates with display rack's shelf to restrain the assembly in desired orientation on the shelf.

Abstract: A gravity feed can dispenser for use in a commercial cooler is provided with integral means permitting two or more dispensers to be stacked in interlocked relationship, and further integral means permitting two dispensers to be connected side by side. The racks in most coolers are formed of parallel wires extending from front to rear; and in order that a dispenser may be stably supported on such a rack there must be transversely extending feet that rest upon several rack wires. In the present structure there is a fixed foot at the front which is vertically small enough that on an upper dispenser of a stack it does not interfere with removal of a can from the dispenser beneath it; and there is a hinged panel toward the rear which selectively occupies a non-interference position if the dispenser is an upper one, or a supporting position if the dispenser rests directly upon the rack.

Abstract: A display rack with an improved shelf assembly that gravity feeds a column of containers one after another to the front edge of a shelf as that column's lead containers are successively removed by customers. The shelf assembly includes a conveyor belt oriented so that its travel path is generally perpendicular to the shelf's front edge, the belt being adapted to receive a plurality of containers, e.g., bottles or cans, in a vertical or stand-up fashion thereon. The inside surface of the belt rides over a support floor and has a low coefficient of friction, and the outside surface of the belt on which the containers rest has a high coefficient of friction, relative one to the other.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for conveying bulk materials, such as minerals, down a vertical or steeply inclined path of descent. An endless conveyor carries the material downwards by gravity, and at the same time drives an energy transformation unit, such as an electrical generator. The conveyor also drives an air compressor, which feeds compressed air to a reservoir. Air from the reservoir can drive a turbine for maintaining the speed of rotation of the generator in the event of a decrease in the conveyor speed. The speed may be monitored by a govenor. The compressed air may also drive apparatus for excavating the minerals. The material may be delivered to the conveyor by a succession of trucks on a circular track layout, which is inclined to the horizontal, the trucks moving towards the conveyor under gravity.

Abstract: A display rack with an improved shelf assembly that gravity feeds a column of containers one after another to the front edge of a shelf as that column's lead containers are successively removed by customers. The shelf assembly includes a conveyor belt oriented so that its travel path is generally perpendicular to the shelf's front edge, the belt being adapted to receive a plurality of containers, e.g., bottles or cans, in a vertical or stand-up fashion thereon. The inside surface of the belt rides over a support floor and has a low coefficient of friction, and the outside surface of the belt on which the containers rest has a high coefficient of friction, relative one to the other.