Abstract: A hopper receives upper and lower articles delivered simultaneously from a mobile transport device having superimposed transport platforms. Disposed within the hopper are independently movable diverters for diverting the articles to proper outlets of the hopper. The diverters comprise rotatable plates able to divert both of the upper and lower articles to either a first outlet or a second outlet, or to divert one of the articles to the first outlet, and the other article to the second outlet.

Abstract: A dual delivery mechanism for a coin dispenser providing the ability to deliver coins or tokens to coin cups on both sides of a coin/token dispensing machine has a moveable ramp connected to a transfer lever. The position of the ramp is controlled by a double-acting solenoid that moves a single solenoid plunger connected to the transfer lever. The dual delivery mechanism is mounted in the coin dispenser chassis so that the ramp is positioned beneath the chute into which coins fall when they are ejected from the coin canister. The double-acting solenoid may be controlled by a separate PCB located in the coin canister chassis to which the main microcomputer of the coin dispenser transmits the signal to indicating which direction the coins should be dispensed. Upon receiving the signal, the PCB generates a pulse to the appropriate drive solenoid consisting of an initial short, high voltage part that initiates motion, followed by a longer, low voltage part that maintains ramp position during coin ejection.

Abstract: A diverter for redirecting a single member or portion of a generalized set of material passing thereby. The device includes an electromechanical actuator which moves from an extended to a retracted position. A flexible strip has a first end attached to actuator and a second end fixed with respect to the actuator. The device is positioned proximate a gravity slide down which a stream of material moves in a first direction. When the actuator moves from its extended to its retracted position, the resilient strip flexes out into the path of the moving material. Any of the material striking the flexible strip will be deflected into a second direction which diverges from the first direction.

Abstract: A sliding plate is located across a pipe body to form a sliding plate valve having two positions: a through position and a flush position. In the through position, material flows through the pipe body. In the flush position, the flow of material is diverted so it goes out a side opening in the pipe body. An opening in the sliding plate permits material to pass through the plate only when the valve is in the through position, not when the valve is in the flush position. A side cut-out section of the body is attached to the sliding plate so that the section blocks the side opening when the valve is in the through position, but not when the valve is in the flush position.

Abstract: A first rotatable conveyor section (16) is positioned axially between upper and lower fixed sections (14,18) of a gravity conveyor. Rotatable conveyor section (16) rotates about an axis extending perpendicular to the conveyor section. A gate (42,44) is provided at each end of the rotatable conveyor section (16). An identification device (84) is positioned upstream of the rotatable conveyor section (16). It identifies the end-to-end orientation of an article (10) which is travelling along the gravity conveyor (12). A computer controls the gates (42,44) and a mechanism (104) for rotating the rotatable conveyor section (16). When an article (10) having an improper end-to-end orientation is encountered, the rotatable conveyor section (16) is rotated 180.degree. for the purpose of reversing the article's orientation. A second rotatable conveyor section (120) is mounted for sideways rotation about an axis which extends longitudinally of the slide conveyor (12).

Abstract: A device for closing a pipe branch, especially for closing either orifice of a Y-shaped distributor connection, which is to close the inflow of the unoccupied flow-off in a gastight and watertight manner, is proposed. At the same time, there will be the possibility of mixing the medium for all the connections. To achieve this object, for this purpose either branching-off junction connection is made closeable by means of a common rotary plug, the rotary plug being designed as an oblique cylinder section (see the drawing for this).

Abstract: A dust suppressor apparatus for use in discharging particulate or granular material, such as grain, which includes a housing defining an internal chamber and having an inlet opening in the upper region of the chamber and a discharge opening in the lower region of the chamber. A suppressor control gate is hingedly mounted on the housing and is biased to a position preventing discharge of material through the discharge opening until a predetermined quantity of particulate material acts on the control gate to overcome the biasing and open the control gate. The control gate and is operative to exert pressure on the particulate material discharging through the discharge opening so as to enable bulk discharge while preventing egress of dust ladened air through the discharge opening. Baffle plates are provided in the chamber to reduce grain velocity within the device. The baffle plates may be independently adjustable or may be automatically adjusted upon tilting of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for sampling can ends from a can end forming line is disclosed. The device includes first and second chutes and deflectors for deflecting can ends between the chutes. An optional door may be provided as a portion of one of the chutes to further deflect certain ends from the system.

Abstract: A distributing valve comprising a valve housing 1 having an inlet 2 and a plurality of outlets 3, the interior of the valve housing 1 being provided with a plurality of displaceably arranged closure members 6, each closure member 6 cooperating with an outlet and being provided with an end face 9 forming a smooth guiding surface from the inlet 2 to one or more other outlets 3 in the closed position of said closure member.

Abstract: A system for processing masses of heterogeneous machining scrap metal through bulk reception, crushing of the ribbon and wire components of the scrap, separation of the chunk components and stripping the rest of the scrap of its cutting oils by centrifuging including metering the rate of feed of the scrap to the crusher and transporting the crushed component of the scrap to the centrifuge without causing it to become ensnarled and formed into balled up masses.

Abstract: An aggregate feed chute for an asphalt plant includes a diverter wall which may be selectively actuated to capture the entire discharge stream of a material conveyor for sampling purposes without the necessity of moving the feed chute with respect to the drum mixer or the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for distributing articles 90 comprising a conveyor 26 having a set of mutually spaced rollers 28 from which a ramp 30 upwardly inclines. An array of mutually spaced bars 34 is aligned between the rollers 28 and a cylinder 40 provided for raising and lowering the array of bars. A conveyor 10 is also provided for successively feeding articles 90 onto the ramp 30.

Abstract: A duct and flop-gate construction for handling particulate material and a method of handling dust or other particulate material. The collected material drops down a duct which contains a flop-gate for directing the material to either of two bins. A mild current of air is drawn upwardly through the duct and flop-gate counter to the movement of the material to subject the bins to negative pressure and prevent outward leakage. The same duct serves both to carry material downwardly to the bins and as a means for applying negative pressure to the bins.

Abstract: Proportional feeders for particulate solids such as plastic pellets, powders and the like, with precise control over the ratio of one material to another comprising, in combination, at least one housing having a vertical upper portion of uniform cross section and an inwardly converging lower portion, at least two inlets in the upper portion, an outlet in the lower portion and a vertical, laterally adjustable separator between the inlets in each housing and an adjustable wall member in at least one housing.

Abstract: A waste disposal system embodies a waste diverter apparatus for receiving waste from a single waste supplying chute and selectably controlling distribution of the waste to a pair of waste outlet chutes. Each of the waste outlet chutes is connected to a waste compactor or other suitable means for waste disposal. The waste diverter apparatus includes a waste diverter housing which has a single waste inlet opening, and a pair of waste outlet openings which connect to the pair of waste outlet chutes. A waste outlet gate is provided for each waste outlet opening, and each gate slides horizontally to open and close its corresponding waste outlet opening.

Abstract: A diverter valve assembly that diverts flowable material from an inlet to one of a plurality of outlets. An outer tubular housing has an inner element mounted therein for rotation with respect to the housing about a generally vertical axis of rotation. The inner element is in the shape of a truncated cone. An inlet is provided at the top of the housing and a plurality of outlets are spaced around the sides thereof. A diverter element is rigidly mounted to the inner element and extends through the open top of the inner element and through a side thereof -- 90.degree. from the open top -- to cooperate with one of the plurality of outlets. Outlet arm members extend through the housing and make sealing contact with the outer surface of the inner element. Rotation of the inner element to position in cooperation with a particular outlet allows the flow of flowable material through the housing inlet, through the diverter element, and through the particular outlet arm.

Abstract: A fruit sub-sampler and grading table, especially for use with canning tomatoes, includes a frame. A measured supply of tomatoes is discharged at the entrance end of the frame and as it progresses toward the exit end of the frame is divided longitudinally into two streams. The first stream as it further advances is split to follow a primary path and a parallel but transversely spaced secondary path. Separate belt conveyors individually continue the two paths and are separately controllable as to speed by a pair of inspectors who transfer certain fruit from the belt conveyors to individual containers. These are disposed in the space between the conveyors and are supported on the frame by load cells connected to display individual container weights. Fruit discharged from the exit end of the belt conveyors is carried by a return conveyor toward the entrance end of the conveyor. Fruit in the second stream is discharged over a random selection drum.

Abstract: Flow divider for a powdery material, comprising a vertical duct supplied with said material. A knife with a separating upper edge is provided at the outlet of said duct to divide the inflow of said material into two outflows. At least one straight air passage is provided, lateral with respect to the vertical axis of the knife, between the inlets of two eduction chutes for said outflows. The level of said air passage is notably below that of said separating upper edge of the knife.

Abstract: Bales are transferred to the hopper at the upper end of the device. Each bale trips a gate in the base of the hopper or bale receiving chamber which deposits the bale onto an inclined transfer chute, the base of which consists of a plurality of chute gates covering chutes leading to the bale forks at the base of the device. The first bale slides downwardly over the gates until the lowermost gate is reached. This gate pivots due to the weight of the bale and deposits it into the furthest chute adapted to receive only one bale. This bale holds this particular gate open at right angles to the remaining gates and the next bale strikes this gate whereupon the gate of the next chute opens due to the weight of the bale and the second bale enters the second chute which is adapted to receive two bales. This second bale slides to the bale fork at the base of this second chute and as it has cleared the second gate, this gate returns to the original position by spring means.

Abstract: Flow control apparatus and method for controlling the flow of gravity fed substantially cylindrical objects through a gravity runway wherein a starwheel, a star-shaped ferrous pulse rotor and a ferrous rotor are each spaced from each other and axially fixed to a free wheeling shaft mounted in a frame connected to a gravity runway such that the starwheel lobes jut into and rotate through the gravity runway. Each starwheel lobe engages each of a successive line of gravity cans as the cans fall through the runway. A magnetic sensor is mounted on the frame near the star-shaped pulse rotor such that as cans free fall past the starwheels and rotate the free wheeling shaft star points on the pulse rotor rotate past the sensor and disturb the sensor's emitted magnetic field. For each disturbance, the sensor emits an electrical pulse signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for handling articles, such as silicon and like wafers used in producing electronic devices. Articles are transferred between two predetermined stations on a fluid bearing track structure and may be selectively diverted in sequence into a storage magazine which defines a buffer station so that articles to be handled or treated in adjacent associated apparatus may be maintained in readily available supply to satisfy the needs of the associated apparatus. When such needs may be satisfied by direct transfer of articles into the associated apparatus the storage buffer zone is bypassed. A selectively actuated fluid bearing turntable directs articles into or from the storage magazine as operating conditions require. All handling of articles is automatically effected on fluid bearings and requires no direct manual participation.