Abstract: A case feeder conveyor system is provided with an accumulation conveyor and a central conveyor which is located on an elevator, the accumulation conveyor, at a transfer station, is provided with a pusher bar that extends the length of the accumulation conveyor whereby a predetermined number of cases on this conveyor can be transferred to the central conveyor at one time.

Abstract: In a sheet sorting apparatus of this invention, two main belts for conveying sheets run one upon another through a predetermined section, and are then separated from each other so that a triangular space is defined between them. The shape of the space is determined by two separating pulleys and two guide pulleys. A separator member rockable in the space has a projected portion projecting between the separating pulleys. When the separator member is rotated, the projected portion engages one of the separating pulleys in the rotating direction to restrain the rotation of the separator member so that the sheets are guided into one of collectors corresponding to the rotating direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in an industrial operation wherein objects moving along a main path from an upstream to a downstream location are diverted to a second path for checking. The apparatus comprises an ejecting wheel for sorting objects which shall have been checked defective for some reason and preventing movement of those objects from returning to the main path.

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting and quickly directing into a plurality of container conveying channels a single file of containers, even irregularly shaped ones, comprising a feeding conveyor on which the single file of containers is caused to travel in a guided manner; a screw feeder for controlling the flow of the containers on the conveyor, and for suitably spacing them; a further conveyor with equispaced fingers for keeping a given number of containers in the spaced position; and deflecting blades for diverting the containers into sorting channels leading to the container conveying channels.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechanism for moving unfinished books along a raceway and for selectively moving defective books from the raceway onto a second, powered conveyor. The raceway has an inclined surface, and the reject mechanism moves defective books up the inclined surface onto the powered conveyor. The reject mechanism includes a divert conveyor with a chain in continuous motion synchronized with the movement of the books on the raceway. When it is desired to move a book from the raceway onto the powered conveyor a selected pair of pins mounted on the divert conveyor chain are extended to engage an edge of the book and move it up the inclined surface and onto the divert conveyor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a continuously operating system for removing particulate material from the bottom portion of a suitable storage silo. The system includes a feed conveyer from the silo to a vertical uplifting conveyer whereby the particulate material is raised to a level sufficiently high to efficiently feed a packing system or the like. A by-pass arrangement whereby to return the particulate material to the vertical uplifting conveyer whenever the packing system is indicated.

Abstract: Switching device arranged to control the movement of postal items into one or other of two alternative directions, comprising a switch tongue (4) which is capable of pivoting between two fixed stops and which can be driven via a slipping clutch (11) by an electro-motor (10) having a very small mass moment of inertia and a very large starting couple.

Abstract: A coordinated start/stop control system for controlling the operation of multiple conveyor checkout systems, wherein the operation of a pair of rear transport belts is selectively controlled in response to the operation of a first transport belt, dependent on the actuation of a magnetically operated electrical switch by a control magnet mounted on a diverter bar or arm.

Abstract: Apparatus for laterally deflecting articles, such as bottles, from the normal path of a series of such articles, on the basis of a predetermined criterion, such as size or shape. The apparatus may be in the form of extensors which operate transversely to the direction of travel of the articles, in such manner that at any given moment only those extensors are extended which contact the article then being deflected.

Abstract: A conveyor system having an intermediate roller conveyor section which is shiftable as a unit between an upper operative position and a lower inoperative position. An overhead conveyor extends transversely relative to the intermediate roller conveyor section and includes a plurality of carriers positionable over the intermediate roller conveyor section for receiving a part when the conveyor section is in its lowered or inoperative position.

Abstract: A currency dispensing apparatus has a plurality of customer receipt openings to which an ordered number of banknotes can be sent from a store of banknotes in response to an order signal. The banknotes are dispensed to a collector station through a first feed mechanism in response to the transmitted order signal, and from the collector station to a selected receipt opening by a second feed mechanism which cooperates with a switching device for determining the direction of feed of the second feed mechanism.

Abstract: A conveyor system including a main conveyor, a secondary conveyor, and an article diverter for selectively diverting articles from the main conveyor onto the secondary conveyor. The diverter includes a plurality of wheels for being mounted in a single aligned row across the top surface of the main conveyor. The gap in the main conveyor for receiving the wheels is substantially the same width as the wheels.

Abstract: An apparatus for laterally deflecting selected articles from a first conveyor to one or more other conveyors comprises either extensible and retractable deflective segments, or gas nozzles whose intensity is adjustable. The deflective segments have tapered front faces which jointly form a smooth deflecting face whose taper increases in the direction of conveyance. The number of segments used depends on the speed component required, and the segments are extended by only a portion of the lateral distance the articles are to cover, the remainder of the distance being covered by the imparted inertia.Alternative embodiments include a deflecting wedge or flap.

Abstract: A roller conveyor having a series of rollers forming a main path of travel for articles, a second series of rollers branching from the main series of rollers and forming a branch path of movement, mechanisms at the junction of the first and second series of rollers for selectively diverting articles to the second series of rollers in a predetermined manner, a flexible drive member having roller engaging passes for both the first and second series of rollers and idle passes out of roller engagement for simultaneously driving the first and second series of article supporting rollers, and a drive for said flexible means for effecting the simultaneous operation of the first and second series of rollers.

Abstract: Apparatus for diverting articles from a belt conveyor at an article-discharge zone, wherein a diverter is moved from a position at the side of the belt to a position wherein it extends at an angle to the direction of movement of the belt transversely of the belt in the path of movement of the articles. The diverter is pivotally mounted to swing through an angle from its retracted position along one side of the belt to its extended position in which it extends across the conveyor at an angle so that articles encounter it and are diverted from the conveyor. The axis of the pivotal movement of the diverter is at the upstream edge of the article-discharge zone and is so positioned that the path of the downstream end of the diverter moves along an arc which intersects the near edge of the belt substantially opposite or downstream from the point where that arc intersects the far edge of the belt.

Abstract: A system for transporting panel members to a plurality of selected sorting locations includes two pair of laterally spaced, elevated, endless conveyor belts defining a path of travel coinciding with the sorting locations. The belts in each pair thereof are also laterally spaced to define a longitudinally extending slot therebetween. An air plenum disposed between opposite sides of each belt communicates with the slots and is coupled with an air pump to produce suction through the slot which releasably holds the panels against the belts as the latter carry the panels along the path of travel. Selectively actuatable, force transmitting mechanism disposed adjacent each of the sorting locations initially breaks the air seal between the leading edge of the panels and the belts, while deflection structure is provided to peel the panels away from the belts to permit gravity induced delivery thereof to the sorting locations.

Abstract: On a conveyor belt, an ejection mechanism ejects objects travelling thereon which do not fulfill predetermined requirements as detected by a detecting device. To speed up the return of the ejection mechanism to its home position, the ejection cycle is divided into several movements. First a striking element is propelled against the object to be ejected, then the striking mechanism pivots on a fixed point to bring the striking element out of the path of the objects. Next the striking element is retracted and the ejection mechanism pivots back to its original position. A locking device may be used to retain the ejection mechanism in the deflected position to ensure that the striking element is completely retracted before the ejection mechanism pivots back to the home position.

Abstract: A transfer conveyor, for the transfer of piece goods from a first roller track conveyor to a second roller track conveyor, is disclosed which comprises a fixed base and a first frame carrying rollers rotatably mounted on the first frame and engaging inclined ramps fixed on the base. The first frame carries two endless conveying chains extending in parallel vertical planes spaced apart in the conveying direction of the roller track conveyors, said chains having horizontal upper runs which in a lowered position of the first frame lie below the conveying plane of the roller track conveyors and in a raised position of the first frame are above that conveying plane so that articles can be transferred, in a transverse direction from the first to the second roller track conveyor. The first frame is raised and lowered by drawing the frame longitudinally so that the rollers run up and down the ramps.

Abstract: The invention comprises one or more feed conveyors in communication with a sorting conveyor, so that items placed on the feed conveyors can be transferred to the sorting conveyor. Where more than one feed conveyor is used, their outputs are first run through a merge conveyor so that the outputs are compatible with use of a single sorting conveyor. A device for reading a code that has been placed on the item to be sorted is provided and a computing device to which such reader is connected is programmed to determine which diverter is to be activated by a particular code read by the reader. A timing device is provided that, when used in conjunction with the computing device, integrates the travel time of an item along the sorting conveyor to determine when the item has reached the particular diverter required to be activated to cause the item to be properly sorted. A control signal emanates from the computing device when the timer has completed its cycle and is used to switch on the pertinent diverter.

Abstract: A system for feeding spaced, serially arranged articles to a plurality of article processing machines operatively connected to the system and including a plurality of normally, simultaneously operating article processing machines and a standby article processing machine for assuming the operation of a non-operating normal machine. Upstream of each normal article processing machine there is arranged an article aligning (row aligning) apparatus each provided with a deflector which directs, via conveyors, the articles either to the associated, normally operating machine or to the standby machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for handling bottles and the like in heat transfer labelling and similar applications with increased processing rates. Bottles are delivered on a single lane conveyor, through a preheating station, and then routed through various bottle handling stations which separate the bottles into two groups to be handled by separate labelling modules. The two groups of bottles are then recombined in a single lane for further processing. The bottle handling apparatus consists of a dividing station, a crossover station, and a combining station. A bottle loading gate may be included to control the rate of feed of bottles into the single lane input conveyor. The handling stations include gates, for controlling the spacing of bottles, and diverters, for guiding bottles into selected lanes. The user may activate the bottle handling stations to double the labelling rate, or deactivate the stations to label each bottle twice.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for delivering animal feed to animals and especially to feedbunks for cattle. The apparatus includes a carriage which travels back and forth over a conveyor belt which carries the feed along the feedbunk. The carriage has a plow and a deflector which engage feed and discharge it off one side of the belt or the other. The plow and deflector are located obliquely at angles to the belt so as to discharge all of the feed entirely off one side. An arm moves both the plow and the deflector from one oblique position to another when actuated by trip members located at predetermined positions along the belt. The deflector engages any feed not discharged by the plow and discharges it off the same side of the belt, and also cleans the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for stacking and distributing comminuted material including a fixed first support, a second support supported by the first support and capable of rotation about a vertically extending axis, an arm secured to the second support and concomitantly rotatable with the second support, a rotating mechanism for rotating the second support about the rotational axis, a first pulley secured to one end of the arm, a second pulley secured to the arm between the second support and the end of the arm opposite the first pulley, an endless conveyor belt around the first and second pulleys, support elements along the arm to support the conveyor belt, an actuating mechanism for driving the conveyor belt about the first and second pulleys, a plow supported by the arm having a plow blade above and in proximity to the conveyor belt and a reversible winch for moving the plow along the arm.

Abstract: Belt type conveyors for letters and the like, having a switching device between them, which device comprises a roller having a flattening on its circumference i.e. a segmented roller, driven by means of a one-rotation coupling when a letter is sensed on the conveyor approaching the switching device.

Abstract: A transfer conveyor for transferring goods from one conveyor to another comprises two pairs of similar conveyor chains each chain being guided around a closed path, including a top run extending from one conveyor to the other, by guide means including reversing pulleys at the opposite ends of the top run. The top runs of all of the chains are preferably of the same length, parallel and substantially co-planar with the other top runs, lying just below the conveying planes of the two conveyors between which transfer is to be made. The chains are driven in synchronism and a set of lifting elements includes a pair of lifting elements secured to each chain so that during circulation of the chains, all of the lifting elements of the set rise above or fall below the conveying plane at the same time by passing around the respective reversing pulleys at the same time, to lift an article on one conveyor, transfer it laterally to above the other conveyor and lower it on to the same.

Abstract: A modular conveyor system for use in a warehouse having a plurality of elongated, multi-level order selection racks includes a plurality of powered picking conveyors supported in vertically spaced superimposed relationship, a plurality of accumulator conveyors supported above the picking conveyors in a common horizontal plane, a merge conveyor sequentially receiving a batch of articles from the accumulator conveyors and discharging the articles onto a sortation conveyor. The sortation conveyor includes a plurality of article diverters for automatically diverting predetermined articles from the batch onto a plurality of discharge conveyors. A palletizer station positioned adjacent each of the discharge conveyors includes a storage area for a plurality of pallets and a lift to transfer a loaded pallet to a run out conveyor which permits the pallet to be transferred to a truckloading area.

Abstract: A flow control or flow diverging gate assembly for a conveyor having a sidewall interrupted by an opening along its length, a flow diverting gate or shear being pivotably mounted in the opening and extendable and retractable in length, the unpivoted end of the gate being guided by track means including a first guide portion parallel with the sidewall and second guide portion traversing the conveyor, movement of the gate along the first guide portion providing a variable opening in the side wall to relieve overflow on the belt, movement of the gate along the second guide portion intercepting a portion of the flow path along the conveyor to selectively reduce the flow of articles therealong.

Abstract: Conveyer load shunting apparatus having a housing with a main shaft equipped with a radial shunt bar extending over the conveyer to divert a load traveling on one conveyer to another. A lever on the main shaft is swung by a solenoid via a push-pull rod to swing the shunt bar from neutral to a shunting position. A spring biases the shunt bar to neutral and the solenoid armature extended. A horizontal rocker bar extends from the housing into the conveyer and has a radial leg equipped with a load engaging wheel. A spring and a radial switch bar on the rocker shaft biases the rocker shaft angularly to swing the wheel to a neutral position below the conveyer. A radial blocker arm on the rocker shaft has an end which is engageable with a peg on the lever of the main shaft to block the angular position of the main shaft with the shunt bar in shunt position. Thus the weight of the load holds the apparatus in shunt position with no strain on the solenoid.

Abstract: The invention relates to bottle feeding apparatus in which bottles in an upright position are moved continuously in a stream along a path, means being provided for deflecting the mouth of a bottle transversely of the direction of its forward movement to tilt the axis of the bottle, the neck of a deflected bottle being engaged by a plough positioned adjacent to and downstream of the deflecting means and shaped progressively to displace the body of the bottle sideways out of the stream of moving bottles. As a deflected bottle is moved sideways out of the stream it is guided by the plough into a deflection channel and its axis is restored to an upright position by its neck engaging with a rail at the opposite side of the deflection channel and by the squeezing action of adjacent bottles.

Abstract: An upright conveyor belt is made to run only at one side of the row of papers. A section plate is operatively arranged to be inserted into the line of the conveyor, for retaining subsequent papers within the row. A blade is adapted to be moved across the line of the conveyor so as to sample a predetermined number of papers out of the row. A feeler for detecting the leading end of the earliest subsequent paper is provided at a position spaced downwardly from the location of the blade insertion. The blade can be timely actuated by the signal from a limit switch provided at the base of the feeler. A fork is provided at the side of the row of the papers so as to interrupt the line to eject the subsequent papers along the fork.

Abstract: Increased reliability is afforded with this simplified apparatus for assembling and transporting a loose stack of documents. The documents are stacked on edge upon a pair of pinch rolls, normally stationary. A back plate is provided for supporting the documents in a loose stack, and preferably a foot plate is included for reliability in accepting documents and in forming the stack. Documents from a plurality of asynchronous sources as well as a single source of documents are readily assembled in the desired stack, for example, with the use of a conventional tined stacking or loading mechanism. The apparatus is readily adaptive to operation by computer for determining the particular documents to be stacked and, upon completion of the stacking, for applying a driving force to the rolls for transporting the assembled loose stack of documents between the rolls to the desired destination.

Abstract: A dividing conveyor system is disclosed for directing articles such as milk bottles traveling along a stem conveyor to either a first or second branch conveyor. The divider conveyor system includes a diverter assembly disposed over the intersection point of the stem, first and second branch conveyors, and a diverter positioner for locating the diverter in an appropriate position to divert articles from the stem conveyor to either of the branch conveyors. A first branch sensor is located near the first branch conveyor and downstream of the conveyor intersection point, and a second sensor is correspondingly located near the second conveyor and downstream of the conveyor intersection point. Appropriate switching circuitry includes logic elements to divert articles from the stem conveyor to a branch conveyor at which the associated branch sensor has sensed the absence of articles on that branch conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting containers such as bottles according to their shape, size or color in which there is a conveyor along which the containers pass with a plurality of exits. Container recognition apparatus is provided which controls means to direct the different containers to selected ones of the exits.

Abstract: Switching device for switching a flow of cigarettes, transversely aligned with respect to the flow in plants for directly feeding individual cigarettes from and to operating machines. The plant has a compensating device for compensating output unbalances between manufacturing and packeting machines. A conveyor withdraws the cigarettes from the manufacturing machines. The conveyor has a branch leading to the grouping hopper of a packeting machine, and another branch leading to the compensating device. The switching device comprises two arms movably supported at the branching-out zone of the conveyor. The end portions of the arms are shaped so as to define guide surfaces which are parts of corresponding switching paths, and are respectively located on both sides of the cigarette flow.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for filling cans with measured amounts of wet material, having improved methods and procedures for the conveying and controlling the feeding of such materials. Feeding from a conveyer belt employs a deflecting barrier having two or more adjacent rotating rollers. The height of the column of material maintained in an upright tube of the can filling unit is controlled by an electrical probe assembly and associated electronic circuitry. The probe of the assembly is positioned above the column of material, and the arrangement is such that when it is contacted by the upper surface of the column, the associated circuitry effects a reduction in the feed of material to the column.

Abstract: A solenoid actuated diverter mechanism including a pivoted arm selectively operable to pass or divert articles moving along a conveyor path. Resilient linkage preloaded by solenoid actuation for swinging the arm into a final "over-center" diverting position yields to intercepting engagement of a passing article occurring before the final diverting position is reached. A spring returns the arm from diverting to passing position upon de-energizing the solenoid. Load reaction on the over-center linkage delays return until completion of any diverting engagement which may have started prior to de-energizing the solenoid.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing articles supplied in one line amongst a plurality of conveying tracks comprises guides pivotable about a vertical axis and defining a pivotable passage for said articles. A starwheel which is rotatable about a vertical axis is mounted on one of the guides and has its teeth successively projecting into the passage so that the starwheel is advanced by one tooth by the articles passing through said passage. A steering member is pivoted by one end to a crank driven by the starwheel, the other end being pivotable about a vertical axis so that an outlet end of said pivotable passage swings between said conveying tracks upon rotation of said starwheel. The starwheel is operatively connected to said crank by way of gearing.

Abstract: A conveyor for granular material includes an elongated hollow channel covered by a suitable cover and having a hollow interior along which the granular material is to be conveyed. A rotary screw extends along the hollow interior of the channel for conveying the granular material therein, this rotary screw including an elongated shaft and a screw carried thereby. Between the opposed ends of the elongated shaft there is situated within the channel at least on bearing which supports the shaft for rotary movement, and a transverse wall extends across the interior of the channel and is supported thereby, this transverse wall carrying the bearing, so that the bearing together with the transverse wall carrying the same block the travel of the granular material longitudinally along the interior of the channel.

Abstract: A conveyor-distributor apparatus for handling flat rectangular items, has a horizontal conveyor channel; a support face defining the conveyor channel floor on which the lower edges of the substantially upright oriented items are guided; and a plurality of consecutive deflector switches arranged along the conveying path of the conveyor channel. A guiding device is connected to each deflector switch for changing the orientation of the deflected items from the position they assumed in the conveyor channel to a flat-lying, stacking position. Each guiding device is constituted by a slide that comprises a curved deflecting surface having a first surface portion which adjoins the associated deflector switch and which is in alignment with the plane of the items as they emerge from the deflector switch subsequent to their deflection thereby.

Abstract: A device for separating, scanning and sorting publications bearing the Universal Product Code. The device comprises a flat bed extending horizontally but inclined to one side, along which move parallel belts at high speed. A loading bit or hopper at one end receives magazines stacked in random sequence. These are separated by means of the synchronized movement of stack lifting bars at the bottom of the bin and movable separating fingers downstream. The fingers drop on each magazine as it begins to pass beneath them, and the stack lifters are simultaneously raised to lift the remaining magazines off the belts. The fingers are lifted a short time after the trailing edge of the magazine passes them to ensure a gap between adjacent magazines. The stack lifters to drop as the trailing edge passes the fingers, without a time delay.

Abstract: In a food delivery system for restaurants, a conveyor tray adapted to receive a food container and to move along an overhead conveyor track from a central station along a loop including a series of delivery stations at patrons tables, an elevator including an elevator tray at each of the stations, trip mechanism at each station operable when actuated to remove the food container from the conveyor tray to the elevator tray at the station, the trip mechanisms being selectively actuated from a central location, mechanism operable by the reception of the food container on the elevator tray to lower said elevator tray to a position within reach of the patron, and to reset the trip mechanism, and mechanism operable by removal of the food container from the elevator tray to re-elevate the tray into operative relation with the conveyor.

Abstract: A sorting switch comprises a plurality of channel-shaped pallet support members mounted on drive chains for movement around a course including an upper article sorting portion and a lower return portion. The upper article sorting portion of the course includes parallel article conveying paths, and the pallet support members extend across both article conveying paths. A pallet is slidably supported on each pallet support member and has a switch engaging member depending therefrom. The pallets are arranged in sets, with alternate sets of pallets being normally aligned with opposite article conveying paths. Switching mechanisms are provided for selectively allowing each set of pallets to remain aligned with the article conveying path normal thereto or for diverting the pallets comprising the sets into alignment with the opposite article conveying path.

Abstract: A diverter for use in high speed transferring of selected articles moving along a conveyor onto an intersecting conveyor includes first and second rows of independently driven powered wheels and selectively movable mounting means for the two rows such that they can be moved between a first position where no diverting takes place and a second operative position in which the wheels of the first or upstream row are skewed at a first angle and positioned at a first vertical position above the conveyor surface and the wheels of the second row are skewed at a greater angle and are above the first row.

Abstract: A packaging handling system for detecting and rejecting faulty packages and for maintaining a packaging or boxing machine in operation for a specific period of time if one or the other goes down. The system comprises a plurality of photocell sensing units to detect the imperfectly formed packages and a .[.means for rejecting.]. .Iadd.pneumatic rejection device .Iaddend.the faulty packages. An accumulator is positioned in the conveyor line between the packaging machine and the boxer and will store a limited number of packages should the cartoning machine discontinue to operate and will feed a limited number of packages on the conveyor should the packaging machine become inoperative. When the system is utilized on a boxer being fed by two packers, a distribution table is also provided in the system to divide the work from one packer to both lines should the other packer cease to function.