Abstract: Articles, having a cylindrical shape, such as cans, are rotated from a horizontal position to a vertical position as they are transported between a pair of contact cables. The contact cables are set to diverge above a take away conveyor and at this point the cans will rotate. A magnetic assist device is positioned proximate the take away conveyor to assist can rotation and stabilize the cans on the take away conveyor.

Abstract: A roller conveyor is provided with a rotating turning wheel disposed along one side of the conveyor and engaging and turning products as the products are moved along the conveyor. The rotating wheel is provided with a conically-shaped upper surface having a lower edged disposed below the level of the plane of the conveyor. An adjustable guide bar directs products to an area of the wheel displaced from the outer edge of the wheel by a selected distance. As the product engages the wheel, a portion of the product is raised to facilitate turning of the product and a force extending in the direction of travel is applied to the product in the area of contact with the wheel. The wheel is mounted on a vertically extending shaft further having a drive disc mounted thereon. A drive wheel mounted on a horizontally extending shaft rotates the drive disc. A pulley mounted on the horizontal shaft is driven by the conveyor roller drive belt.

Abstract: A continuous, multiline packaging apparatus for continuously conveying, turning, and loading non-round bottles includes infeed conveyors which convey non-round bottles to timing screw conveyors. The timing conveyors are operable to space the bottles a predetermined distance apart and to feed the lines of spaced bottles to turning conveyors. The turning conveyors are each comprised of high and low speed conveyor chains, and guide rails. The turning conveyors first turn the bottles to an intermediate angled position and thereafter further turn the bottles to a loading position. A grouping conveyor comprising a plurality of fights cooperates with the turning conveyors to cause the bottles to form groups which are transferred to a loading device. The loading device continuously shifts the grouped bottles laterally into cartons as the bottles are continuously moved in a downstream direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating an article includes a first housing member mountable on a side of the article conveyor, and a second housing member mountable on the opposite side of the article conveyor. A motor having a shaft is mounted on the first housing member. The motor is arranged to drive a frictional drive roller. The frictional drive roller in turn drives a first end portion of an approaching article. A pin is mounted on the second housing member and arranged to contact a second end portion, i.e., a second end portion opposite the first end portion, of the article while the frictional drive roller drives the first end portion. The pin functions to inhibit motion of the second end portion and thereby establishes a pivot position about which the article rotates approximately ninety degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for feeding/turning successive cartons along the flow path of a packaging line is provided. An intermediate conveyor section between in-line feed and take away conveyors defines the substantially horizontal flow path. A plurality of elongated O-ring belts feed and turn the cartons. A separate side running chain having a straight operative run carries a plurality of extensible fingers; one selected finger engaging and capturing a leading corner of each successive carton to assist in turning. The O-ring belts are driven at differential speed. The combined feeding and turning action of the carton, assisted by retarding engagement of the carton corner by the finger assures positive and efficient feeding/turning of the cartons. A microprocessor is provided to control the driving of stepper/servo motors for the various components. The O-ring belts are driven by the single servo motor with a plurality of increasing size pulleys on a common shaft to provide the progressive speeds.

Abstract: A veneer stacker with a controlled overhead conveyor to maintain the leading edge of successive veneer sheets in a common orientation and normal to the travel direction of the conveyor. The overhead conveyor has paired members, e.g., conveyor belts that engage the side edges of the veneer sheet to propel the sheet. One member of each pair is arranged to dominate and the dominant members cooperatively control the movement of the sheet. The sheets are assured of a normal orientation using separate drive motors for each dominant member and electronically coupling the drive motors.

Abstract: Apparatus for foot cleaning of articles of ceramic ware comprises a conveyor device which includes a pair of belt members independently movable in the same direction at different speeds, the belt members being tilted transversely relative to one another such that their adjacent edges are lower than their outer edges. Preferably there is provided a way for varying the angle of tilt of the belt members.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating workpieces fed in a laid flat position, has a pair of conveyor belts which fixes the respective workpiece eccentrically at one point and moves it forward, and at least one carrier belt that runs parallel to the pair of conveyor belts. To permit a reliable introduction of the rotational movement, at least one suction belt is arranged between the pair of conveyor belts and the carrier belt, using which a part of the workpiece that is spaced from the fixed point can be suctionally attracted.

Abstract: Two cooperating spiral conveyors are provided between a transport device having a transport plane and a transport segment. The conveyors are driven in opposite directions and are provided with opposite thread directions. The axes of the spiral conveyors are disposed at the height of the transport plane. The pitch and the thread clearance of peripheral recesses of the spiral conveyors decrease continuously from the transport device to the transport segment. A support surface for a lid is disposed between the two spiral conveyors. At the end contiguous to the transport device, the support surface has the same height as the transport plane, and at the end contiguous to the transport segment, its height is lower by half of the lid diameter.

Abstract: An unscrambling conveyor includes two side-by-side sets of rollers arranged in a herringbone pattern on either side of a central axis. The rollers of the two sets are positioned at different angles with respect to the axis and the drive speeds for the rollers are chosen to provide equal and opposite forces in the lateral direction and unequal but similarly directed forces in the axial direction. The sets of rollers are divided into zones having progressively increasing roller speeds in the downstream direction with the zones staggered with respect to one another on either side of the central axis. The lateral and axial forces drive articles on the conveyor toward and away from the center axis depending on the roller speeds in the staggered zones and in the downstream direction while imparting a twist to the articles. The successive zones of increasing speed stretch a randomly arranged mass of articles into a single file line.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for inspecting finish dimensions of and detecting finish defects on containers moving sequentially in a predetermined path. More than one container can be inspected simultaneously. The apparatus includes one or more inspection gauges suspended above the container path. A transport system is provided for aiding in moving containers through the gauges and simultaneously axially rotating the containers about a vertical axis. Rotation of the containers allows the inspection gauges to inspect the entire circumference of the containers at one or more levels on the container simultaneously. Defective containers are detected when the relative separation distance between the gauge plates of the inspection gauge falls outside predetermined limits. If a defective container is detected, a rejection assembly may be activated to physically remove the defective container from the container path.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for arranging a plurality of containers into desired patterns and palletizing the containers onto pallets. The apparatus has an infeed conveyor and an orienting unit having a receiving end and a moveable discharge end. The orienting unit includes a pair of side-by-side orienting conveyor belts which have independent speed controls. A container on the pair of orienting conveyor belts can be rotated by controlling the differential speed of the pair of belts. The receiving end of the orienting unit is pivotably connected to a fixed stanchion so as to permit the discharge end of the orienting unit to rotate in a horizontal plane. The orienting unit is also constructed so that its length may be lengthened or shortened to discharge the container at any location on a pattern forming table. A pusher bar transfers a layer of containers from the forming table onto an adjacent surface. The adjacent surface is horizontally slid from beneath the layer of cartons onto a pallet.

Abstract: A machine for aligning lumber received from a previous processing station into an orientation suited for a subsequent processing station. The machine has an infeed conveyor for receiving lumber from a previous processing station. Large rotating drums are positioned in the infeed conveyor adjacent to carriers of the infeed conveyor with a portion of the drum periphery extending above the infeed conveyor. An angled conveyor having multiple carriers, such as belts, is mounted strategic to the infeed conveyor and drums with the second conveyor extending upwardly at an angle to the infeed conveyor and drums. The drums are rotated such that the peripheral velocity of the drums is greater than the carriers of the infeed and angled conveyor. The drums elevate (lift) and accelerate the lumber from the infeed conveyor onto the angled conveyor.

Abstract: Rolls of paper are overturned by a device composed of a first conveyor belt interposed between and occupying the same plane as a feed station and a wrapping station, and running at a velocity comparable to the velocity of the feed station, also a flexibly resilient belt disposed facing the first belt, looped over a pair of wheels of which one is power driven; the resilient belt is positioned with one end adjacent to the feed station, separated from the first belt by a distance equivalent to the diameter of the single roll when disposed with its axis parallel to the first belt, and set in motion at a velocity of which the horizontal component is greater than the velocity of the first belt in such a way that the roll will be taken up, rotated through a right angle and positioned with the axis perpendicular to the first belt.

Abstract: An oblong block turning apparatus comprises a conveyor pin assembly, a block advance pin assembly, a pivot pin assembly, a flip pin assembly, and an elongated trough with a pair of side walls bridged by a bottom surface. The pin assemblies include respective chains carrying a plurality of respective pins which extend laterally through the trough while moving downstream through the trough. To turn an oblong block deposited into the trough, the block is first pushed downstream through the trough using a conveyor pin of the conveyor pin assembly. Next, the block is disengaged from the conveyor pin by advancing the block downstream away from the conveyor pin with a faster-moving block advance pin. While maintaining the lower leading corner of the block against a pivot pin of the pivot pin assembly, the block is turned ninety degrees forward about the pivot pin using a flip pin of the flip pin assembly. After turning the block, the conveyor pin re-engages the block to push the block downstream through the trough.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device that makes possible to turn individual sheets of paper 3 by an angle of 90.degree. during their transport without a change in their direction of feed, arrow 8, even at high speeds of feed. In the device according to the present invention, a stopping roller 22 with a pressure ball 33, is driven opposite to the direction of feed, arrow 8 and is arranged directly in front of the taut side 23' of a conveyor belt 23 in the direction of feed, arrow 8. A longitudinal row of pressure balls 22-29 are in contact with the conveyor belt 23. A drive roller 34 is driven in the direction of feed, arrow 8, and is provided with a pressure ball 35 in contact with a higher contact pressure than the pressure ball 33 to the stopping 22. The driver roller 34 arranged laterally offset from the feed web center 38 and directly in front of the roller stopping roller 22.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for turning (cigarette) packs. Laterally acting driven turning belts (21, 22, 23, 24) serve for turning (cigarette) packs (10) during transport of the packs along a pack track (18). Two pairs of turning belts (21, 22) and (23, 24) act upon lateral regions of the packs (10) which arrive in a position, in which their longitudinal dimension is directed transversely relative to the conveying direction. The turning belts (21, 22) of the one side are driven at a different speed compared to the turning belts (23, 24) of the other side, so that the packs (10) are oriented in an increasingly oblique manner during transport. After the packs (10) have assumed an extreme oblique position, the turning procedure is completed by stationary lateral guides (40, 41) which are disposed so as to converge in the conveying direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for turning workpieces moved forward in a flat position, with a conveyor belt pair which engages and moves forward the workpiece eccentrically at one point, and a conveyor belt running parallel thereto which is shorter than the conveyor belt pair. In order to solve the problem of designing a simple apparatus of this species which is also of comparatively compact construction, provision is made according to the invention for both the conveyor belt pair and the parallel conveyor belt to be operated at the same speed, and for at least one additional transfer belt running parallel to the conveyor belt pair and the shorter conveyor belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for upending an item from a prone-orientation to an upright orientation. Two interconnected conveyors are employed, a first lower conveyor and a second upending conveyor. The lower conveyor includes a series of slats which may be raised to engage one end of an item to be upended. The second conveyor includes a series of spaced rods located to engage the opposite end of the item to be upended. When an item is engaged between a raised slat and a rod, the distance between the slat and rod is retained essentially constant and the rod is raised relative to the slat to upend the item from the prone orientation to an upright orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for unscrambling sealed cylindrical containers, the apparatus having an upright open top vessel substantially filled with water, an elongated inclined unscrambler bed having an intake end submersed in the water and a discharge end which extends above the water surface, a plurality of sets of belts arranged in paralleled spaced apart vertical planes and supported by the unscrambler bed, each of the belts passing upwardly over the bed upper surface and downwardly below the bed lower surface, the containers to be unscrambled being dumped within the water to settle downwardly through the water and onto the unscrambler bed intake end, the belts serving to move the containers as they engage the belts upwardly and above the water surface onto a traveling take away belt for further processing. In the preferred arrangement some of the belts in each set of belts travel at different speeds so that containers moving on each set of belts tend to assume the lengthwise position.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for arranging cartons or cases of beverages in predetermined patterns in a conveying process for stacking in tiers on pallets. A combination of an input guide conveyor moveable between left, right, and centered positions and at least one moveably adjustable diverter bar is utilized to direct incoming containers along a predetermined path through a pattern-forming zone comprised of a plurality of parallel, power-driven conveyors. Containers are directed one at a time either along a dividing line path between two, adjacent, pattern-forming conveyors in overlapping relation thereto, or directly onto one of those conveyors. A differential speed-control mechanism is provided in conjunction with one or more of the parallel, pattern-forming conveyors and is selectively actuated to change the speed of one conveyor of a pair of conveyors on which a container is being carried in overlapping relation to both conveyors.

Abstract: A turning device for articles conveyed on a conveyor comprises a set of conveyor belts which together convey the article, the belts being driven at different speeds which increase from one side of the conveyor to the other. The speed differential is imparted by a drive shaft around which the belts pass, each belt passing around a pulley on the shaft. The diameters of the pulleys increase from one end of the shaft to the other and the pulleys are driven in rotation together.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for conveying The products, for example confectionery products such as bars of chocolate, etc., possibly already contained in individual wrappers, are advanced with one of their principal axes substantially perpendicular to the direction in which they are transported. The apparatus comprises a pair of conveyor formations, such as endless belts, which can be made to travel at different speeds so as to achieve a condition in which the principal axes of the products are exactly perpendicular to the direction of advance at the output of the device.

Abstract: High speed turning of elongate confectionery bars through 90.degree. is executed in two stages. The bars are turned through an acute angle in a first stage by a timed blast of air from an air jet while the bar are in flight between first and second conveyors and through a further acute angle by a pair of diverging differential speed conveyors. The timing of the air blast is achieved by detecting the leading edge of the bar by sensors prior to projection. The orientation of the bar is checked by further sensors after initial transfer to the differential speed conveyors, and the relative speeds of those conveyors is adjusted if necessary to complete the turn.

Abstract: A conveyor continuously advances bundles issuing from a manufacturing line while manipulating them into a pattern for shipment. Comprised of three zones, the conveyor sequentially centers, rotates and organizes bundles for inclusion in a pattern in preparation for shipment without manual intervention. The conveyor is insensitive to bundle size within the parameters of the particular embodiment, and performs desired manipulation regardless of initial bundle placement or orientation. As no interruption in the flow of bundles is needed to manipulate bundles into patterns, no jamming of bundles occurs upstream from such patterns as they form. The conveyor increases the overall speed of handling bundles, and makes possible the automation of shipping procedures in manufacturing facilities.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for arranging cartons or cases of beverages in predetermined patterns in a conveying process for stacking in tiers on pallets. A combination of an input guide conveyor moveable between left, right, and centered positions and at least one moveably adjustable diverter bar is utilized to direct incoming containers along a predetermined path through a pattern-forming zone comprised of a plurality of parallel, power-driven conveyors. Containers are directed one at a time either along a dividing line path between two, adjacent, pattern-forming conveyors in overlapping relation thereto, or directly onto one of those conveyors. A differential speed-control mechanism is provided in conjunction with one or more of the parallel, pattern-forming conveyors and is selectively actuated to change the speed of one conveyor of a pair of conveyors on which a container is being carried in overlapping relation to both conveyors.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for changing the relative position of packs, especially of cuboidal cigarette packs of the hinge-lid type. Prior art processes and apparatuses work with forces having shock-like impacts on the packs, so that there is a risk of the packs getting damaged. The invention guarantees gentle changes of the relative position. Each pack is turned by way of being pulled by two conveyor belts running at different velocities and being arranged at two opposite regions of the pack.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for producing a singulated flow of correctly oriented flats (100 or 160) includes an input conveyor (12), a plurality of singulating conveyors (14, 16, and 18), and a skew correction station (20). A stack of flats (100 or 160) is deposited onto an inclined surface (42) of the input conveyor (12). The input conveyor (12) produced a running shingle of flats by frictionally engaging and pulling the bottom most flat in the stack. The plurality of singulating conveyors (14, 16, and 18) convert the running shingle into a singulated flow using frictional, inertial, and gravitational forces. By advancing conveyor (16) while halting conveyor (14), a flat (102) is pulled from underneath flat (108) with flat (108) remaining stationary. By operating conveyor (16) in a pulsed acceleration mode, passenger flat (122) is separated from underlying flat (120). By angling the conveyors (14, 16, and 18) in an upward direction, rearward gravitational force passenger flats (134 and 136) down conveyor (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting articles according to size inlcudes a plurality of moving belt assemblies and an elongated hopper provided above the moving belt assemblies for feeding a plurality of articles to the same. The fed articles are aligned and spaced apart as they are transported along the moving belt assemblies. A light emitting device is adjacently disposed on one side of each movable belt assembly, and a photodetecting device is disposed opposite the light emitting device and adjacent to the other side of the movable belt assemblies. The articles cast shadows upon the photodetecting device as they move past the light emitting device. The photodetecting device transmits electrical signals corresponding to the sizes of the shadows which are received by a control circuit. The control circuit classifies the detected articles according to the transmitted electrical signals and actuates a plurality of electromagnetically operated push rods.

Abstract: An infeed conveyor for a packaging machine holds a first squeezer conveyor having upper and lower belts spaced to receive workpiece rolls in an end to end relationship between them. The lower accelerating rollers and the upper accelerating rollers advancing the workpiece rolls further along the path of the first squeezer conveyor. At least one upper accelerating roller having a drive for driving it at a higher speed than the other accelerating rollers. A second conveyor being provided for receiving the workpiece rolls. The receiving end of the second conveyor either being at or below the level of the lower accelerating roller. When the receiving end of the second conveyor is below the level of the lower accelerating rollers the workpieces are rotated 90 degrees away from their original endwise advance by the action of the upper accelerating roller that has a drive for driving it at a higher speed than the other accelerating rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a plurality of lids or other thin objects having two discrete sides, such as a top and bottom, for delivering then in a common orientation includes a conveyor for carrying the lids along the apparatus from an inlet end to a discharge end and an air jet nozzle which directs compressed air to engage at least some of the lids to shift them to an opposing angle of inclination. The conveyor includes orienting belts which are directed over rollers and pulleys whereby the lids, after at least some have been shifted, are returned to a substantially horizontal position when delivered at the discharge end. Two sets of orienting bells are supported by the rollers and pulleys to effect a V-shaped support adjacent the air jet nozzle so that the lids are supported in either alternate opposing angle of repose. The air jet nozzle may alternatively operate continuously or be actuatable by an electric eye whereby discrete jets of air may be directed toward the lip of a lid to thereby orient it.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing lidded cartons has a turning station including a flightless horizontal conveyor, and a chain conveyor which extends along one side of the flightless conveyor and has light restraint members pivotally mounted on its links. The chain conveyor is moved in the same direction as the horizontal conveyor, but at a slower speed. Part way along the chain conveyor an upwardly directed air jet moves the restraint members individually but in succession to temporary raised positions in which they are available for engagement by a carton which is moving along the flightless conveyor in overlapping relation to the chain conveyor. A restraint member engaged by a carton in this way thereafter serves as a fulcrum about which the carton pivots through a substantial angle. Plough bars later complete the rotation of the carton through 90.degree. in total.

Abstract: The present invention has to do with aircraft cargo handling and loading equipment and specifically with a type of roller deck surface employed thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improved active sheet registration system which provides deskewing and registration of sheets along a paper path in X, Y and .THETA. directions. Sheet drivers are independently controllable to selectively provide differential and non-differential driving of the sheet in accordance with the position of the sheet as sensed by an array of at least three sensors. The sheet is driven non-differently until the initial random skew of the sheet is measured. The sheet is then driven differentially to correct the measured skew, and to induce a known skew. The sheet is then driven non-differentially until a side edge is detected, whereupon the sheet is driven differentially to compensate for the know skew. Upon final deskewing, the sheet is driven non-differentially outwardly from the deskewing and registration arrangement. A fourth sensor may be provided to measure the position of the sheet after registration with respect to desired machine timing.

Abstract: Magazines are re-oriented by turning each magazine through ninety degrees in a horizontal plane while the magazine is advanced continuously along a generally straight path. The re-orientation is effected by kicking each magazine laterally while switching control of the magazine from a first continuously moving conveyor to a second continuously moving conveyor which runs alongside the first conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method in which stacks of tin ends are formed and fed longitudinally to a three-endless belt conveyor in spaced relation of stacks with turns in the feed paths after the first conveyor being defined by overlapping separate three-endless belt conveyor assemblies. The stacks of tin ends may be unwrapped or they may be wrapped, in which latter case, an unwrapping station is provided at which the wrapping is both cut and the wrapping peeled away in response to rotation of the stack. The unwrapped stacks in any case are fed into a continuous stream to a closing station where the individual tin ends are applied to can bodies. In one unwrapping embodiment, the stacks are fed to a first conveyor through the intermediary of a pestle and gripper which are fed in unison to travel a stack to the first conveyor and provision is also made to relax the grip of the pestle and gripper while the wrapper is peeled away.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing the orientation of stacks of paper sheets has two parallel transporting units each having at least one belt conveyor with outwardly extending bristles which engage the stacks and reduce the likelihood of unpredictable slippage of the lowermost sheets of the stacks relative to the adjacent reaches of the belt conveyors while the stacks are advanced from a stack supplying conveyor to a stack receiving conveyor. At the same time, the stacks are caused to change their orientation by turning about axes extending at right angles to the adjacent reaches of the belt conveyors as a result of travel of the conveyor or conveyors forming part of one of the transporting units at a speed which is greater than the speed of the conveyor or conveyors of the other transporting unit. Each belt conveyor can have an outer layer of velour with a pile of outwardly extending bristles, an inner layer of textile fabric, and a synthetic plastic intermediate layer which is bonded to the inner and outer layers.

Abstract: A conveyor system which receives products in random order at its infeed end and delivers product in a serial aligned order at its outlet end. The conveyor system comprises first and second endless belt conveyors which are longitudinally aligned and positioned such that the product exiting the first conveyor is received on the second conveyor. The first conveyor is of a greater width than the second and at the location where they meet is a third endless belt conveyor moving in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal flow direction of the other two. The machine that feeds products to the first conveyor is set at a desired product flow rate in terms of products-per-minute and the speed of the first conveyor is set to handle that capacity. The second belt is driven at a speed equal to or greater than the product-per-minute rate times the product length.

Abstract: This relates to a disc cleaning machine wherein abrasives are thrown at a disc as it travels along a predetermined path and wherein the disc is rotated as it travels along that path. A principle feature of the machine is that discs are conveyed along a path by a pair of cooperating screw type conveyors while the discs are supported on a pair of support shafts which rotate and rotate the discs so as to ever changingly present surface portions of the discs to the abrasives. The workpieces are automatically fed into the machine by way of a notched feed wheel and at the end of the cleaning operation, the workpieces drop off of the support shafts and down a discharge chute so that the operation is automatic.

Abstract: Cylindrical bodies 12 are brought into end-to-end relationship on a conveyor 30 (FIG. 7) by means of a second conveyor 42 running at a different speed, which may be greater than or less than the speed of conveyor 30. The conveyor 42 serves to flip misorientated bodies (see FIGS. 6C, 6D) into an orientation in which their axes are parallel to the feed direction C of the conveyor 30. A modified arrangement (FIG. 10) is described for bodies with length to diameter ratios of the order of 0.8:1. Other handling devices are also described for effecting single streaming of bodies starting from a randomly distributed array (FIG. 1), for separating bodies of different sizes from each other (FIGS. 2 and 3) and for transferring bodies from one conveyor to another (FIGS. 4 and 5).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the conveyance of preforms through a heating station to a stretching and blowing machine during the production of hollow articles from thermoplastic plastics materials, means of which preforms having different neck diameters can be heated satisfactorily and extremely uniformly without major modification of the apparatus. This is achieved by providing two endless toothed sections extending parallel to each other and have preform pick-up means mounted thereon. The preforms are collected and retained in position by the pick-up means as they pass through the heating station. The mutual spacing of the belts and, hence, of the pick-up means from one another and from the heating devices is adjustable. A further pair of endless drive belts are provided which rotate the preforms at desired circumferential speed about their own axes as they pass through the heating device so as to promote an even distribution of the heat in the preforms.

Abstract: A device for removing dust and other fine particulate matter from the exterior surface of a bottle moving along a conveyor line. A jet of ionized air neutralizes any static charge adhering the particulate matter to the bottle and also commences the dislodgement of the former from the latter. Moving brushes contacting the exterior surface of the bottle further dislodges the particulate matter. Lastly, a vacuum on the other side of the brushes from the bottle removes the air and entrained particulate matter detached from the bottles. A star wheel having indentations in it moves the bottles along at a predetermined pace. Alternately, one or more rotating longitudinal screws can control the bottles motion through the system. A belt in contact with the bottles and moving relative to the conveyor effects their rotation regardless of their exterior configuration. This assures that the brushes contact all portions of their exterior surface.

Abstract: A container rotating-transporting device for transporting a plurality of containers while rotating same, which comprises a transport device for transporting the containers straightly, a plurality of container stands each provided rotatably on the transport device to hold a container thereon and having a roller or pulley and a rotation imparting member for rotating each container stand when the roller or pulley contacts the rotation imparting member. This device is used for a container inspecting device.

Abstract: Successive stacks of paper sheets are turned during travel along two parallel paths one of which is defined by a first conveyor and the other of which is defined by a set of two or more consecutive conveyors. The speed of the conveyor or conveyors defining one of the paths is greater than the speed of the conveyor or conveyors defining the other path so that the orientation of stacks changes during travel along the two paths. The orientation of successive stacks in at least one intermediate portion of each path is monitored by a battery of photoelectronic detectors whose signals are processed to ascertain whether or not the monitored orientation matches a desired intermediate orientation. The processed signals are used to change the speed of the conveyor or conveyors which define at least one of the paths so as to ensure that each stack assumes a predetermined orientation at the latest on reaching the ends of the two paths.

Abstract: A chemical reaction apparatus is disclosed which comprises endless travelling belt(s) disposed to support in place a multiplicity of juxtaposed reaction containers having the axes thereof falling in a plane inclined from the horizontal plane and adapted to travel in a substantially horizontal direction perpendicular to the axes of the reaction containers; endless retaining belts disposed adjacent and not contiguously to the aforementioned travelling belts and provided with a multiplicity of teeth projecting up as at fixed regularly spaced intervals slightly greater than the diameters of the reaction containers so as to enable the reaction containers accommodated in the intervening spaces between the teeth to be held in fixed positions in an arrayed pattern; a base adapted to support in place the bottoms of the aforementioned reaction containers rotated about the axes thereof in an inclined state by the aforementioned travelling belts and the aforementioned retaining belts; and a drive mechanism for intermitte

Abstract: Bottles are conveyed by a pair of side gripping belts, either neck leading or base leading in a direction parallel to an axis extending through the neck and the base of the bottle. In the path of the bottle and upstream therefrom is positioned a split ramp, inclined upward relative to the direction of travel. The split ramps interfere with the forward travel of a base leading bottle and cooperates with the gripping belts to cause the neck of the bottle to raise arcuately so as to orient the bottle to a standing position, on its base. Moving belts are disposed between the split ramp. The split ramp allows passage of part of a bottle conveyed in neck leading position such that the moving belts interfere with the forward travel of the neck leading bottle and cause the neck of the bottle to change its direction of travel to an arcuate, upward direction for orienting the bottle to a standing position, on its base.

Abstract: A machine for orienting and stacking receptacles, such as cups having a base end and a mouth end, which machine includes a receiving area wherein the cups are initially received and are then fed to an upright, angularly disposed conveyor, the cups being received between bars presented by the conveyor. As the cups are moved upwardly by the conveyor, they come into engagement with an angularly disposed orienting roller which spans the width of the conveyor and contacts the cups to shift them into a common, oriented relationship with the mouths all facing in one direction and the bases in another. After orientation, the cups pass over the top of the conveyor and are removed therefrom and carried to a delivery location. The removal of the cups from the conveyor is accomplished by a vacuum which is drawn adjacent the top end of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for the even alignment of objects essentially uniform among each other comprises at least one conveyor belt moving in a plane in a particular direction, on which the objects are placed. A first and a second conveyor belt, which converge downwards with their conveyor planes to a funnel which randomly receives the objects to be aligned, are provided. In the area of the funnel the first conveyor belt rotates from the bottom toward the top and the second conveyor belt rotates transversely hereto, thus due to the interaction of both conveyor belts the objects are aligned and are subsequently conveyed out of the funnel in this condition by the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: To carry bills in a bill container in a correct rearward inclined position, the bills are carried by first belts at the rear half of the container but by second belts at the front half of the container. Since the second belts are driven at a speed higher than that of the first belts, the bills carried to the discharging roller are arranged at a correctly rearward inclined position before the succeeding discharge operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating and conveying elongate items includes a first pair of side-by-side arranged conveyor belts driven in a conveying direction at identical speeds, a second pair of side-by-side arranged conveyor belts being in longitudinal alignment with the first conveyor belt pair and being driven in the conveying direction at identical speeds greater than the speed of the first conveyor pair. First and second item transfer locations spaced from one another in the conveying direction are defined between the two conveyor belt pairs to cause each item to assume an oblique orientation relative to the conveying direction, and a longitudinal clearance defined between the belts of the first and second conveyor pairs. A suction device including a suction opening aligned with the longitudinal clearance is provided for pressing the items against the conveyor belts.