Abstract: An improved rejector for selectively transferring articles from a conveyor or conveyor-like device, to a delivery region such as a second conveyor based upon one or more signals which may be associated with any of the articles to be so transferred. The system utilizes a further conveyor-like device running substantially parallel to the conveyor carrying the articles to be transferred, the conveyor-like device having a plurality of pusher members substantially transverse to the direction of motion of the conveyor-like device, and slideable by a guide between a normally withdrawn position and an extended position passing over the conveyor carrying the articles to be transferred so as to transfer an article therefrom to the delivery device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for continuously distributing parallelepipedic loads which comprises a conveyor constituted by power-driven rollers whose axis is perpendicular to that of the push-bars of an endless chain conveyor arranged above the rollers, whereas an element for guiding the objects driven simultaneously by the rollers and the push-bars is arranged obliquely between the roller conveyor and the push-bar conveyor, the push-bars being provided with stops for transverse positioning of the objects on the roller conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for high-speed transfer of plants from an array arranged in ranks and rows to a transplanting location. The apparatus incorporates structure which positively locates and stabilizes the individual plants during their path of travel from the array to their predetermined transplanting location as well as structure which permits each rank of the array to be removed as a unit for transfer to the path of travel. The apparatus is also designed to eliminate the top growth of each plant from interfering with individual placement and movement of the plants.

Abstract: A device for causing holders transporting objects to release the objects so as to place them at predetermined positions. The holders comprise a rotatable shaft, and a driving arm and an object-gripping arm both connected to the rotatable shaft and are carried by an endless conveyor so that the holders pick up an object at a first station and release the object at a second station. As the holders are conveyed from the first to the second station, the object-gripping arm gripping an object is kept parallel with the running direction of the conveyor. At the second station the driving arms of the holders are selectively moved into engagement with a device to turn the object gripping arm from the parallel position to a position perpendicular to the running direction of the conveyor and the object is released.

Abstract: Articles that pass an inspection station seriatim are removed from their subjacent conveyor or not, depending on the results of inspection, by an ejection device which is a pair of vertically superposed horizontal chains that carry between them upright holders on each of which is mounted a rod for vertical swinging movement from an upright inactive position, to a horizontal outwardly projecting active position. Depending on the results of inspection, one of these rods will be pushed down to the lowered or active position to come into registry with the article to be ejected. The endless chains converge toward the conveyor on which the inspected articles rest, so that the rods progressively push the defective articles from their subjacent belt onto a discharge belt, after which the rods are swung back up to their inactive raised position.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a lane conveyor for moving articles in separate lanes with random spacing between the articles, an endless conveyor having article receiving carriers thereon each arranged to receive one or more articles from a lane of said lane conveyor, a second lane conveyor having lanes thereon preferably greater or less in number than the number of lanes in the first lane conveyor, and structure for simultaneously discharging a number of the carriers so as to distribute the articles substantially equally among the lanes of the second lane conveyor. Provision is made to prevent repetition of failure to load a lane in such instances where the number of lanes in the first lane conveyor is equal to the number of lanes in the second lane conveyor.

Abstract: A container conveying device includes two conveyor wheels mounted for rotational movement for conveying containers along either one of a main path of movement for containers to be used later, or a shunt path of movement for containers to be removed and inspected or discarded. A pair of tongue members are mounted for pivotal movement in the vicinity of both of the wheels, one of the members conforming to the contours of the containers to engage and confine containers moving along either one of the paths. The other tongue member is adapted to engage and confine containers moving along at least the main path of movement.

Abstract: A device for distributing containers into several rows includes a conveyor arranged above a single row of containers and carrying gripper heads adapted to positively and temporarily grip the containers, the gripper heads being individually movably mounted on respective transverse bars spaced along the length of the conveyor. The device further includes actuating cams for opening and closing the gripper heads driven by the conveyor and actuating means for transversely displacing the gripper heads into a plurality of parallel paths while they are driven by the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling moving articles such as signatures or books. A conveyor means is moveable in timed relation to a series of the moving articles. The conveyor means carries a series of first and second guide means which are adapted to engage moving articles and which are moveable with the conveyor and relative to the conveyor. First and second cam means are engageable with the respective first and second guide means for positioning the guide means relative to the conveyor to establish a guide path for the articles which are engaged by the guide means. The guide paths are oriented so that the first and second guide means are disposed in a single stream over at least a portion of the path of travel of the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system adapted to receive a random flow of discrete items from a plurality of sources at its infeed end and to discharge an evenly distributed flow of items to a multiplicity of stations at an output end. Provision is made for skipping one of the multiplicity of stations if it is not capable of accepting additional items. Provision is also made for avoiding interruptions of the flow of distributed items when the inflow of items from one of the plurality of sources is interrupted.

Abstract: A conveyor with laterally deflectable article transporting pallets is disclosed in which the pallets are mounted on a carriage-like structure having wheels which run in and are guided by heavy duty channels.

Abstract: A round rod is supported at its ends by the parallel runs of two sprocket chains used in a conveyer. In order to permit easy replacement of a rod when damaged, the rod is equipped with spring biased means for holding the rod captive on the conveyer chain runs during normal use and for permitting the rod to be quickly snapped out without necessity of disassembling the conveyer chains or their protective shield.

Abstract: Objects moving single file on an infeed conveyor are diverted onto an intermediate conveyor where they are separated, and then sequentially pushed onto a wider take away conveyor having lane defining means for receiving the objects in discrete lanes. A side push conveyor has an upper run which moves at a speed related closely to that of the intermediate conveyor, and has cam operated slats or pushers which cooperate to define pockets for urging the objects off the intermediate conveyor onto the take away conveyor and into the appropriate lanes.

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.