Abstract: An apparatus is provided for separating bulk material, in particular in the form of packages, from a bulk material container. The apparatus has a first belt conveyor for conveying the bulk material from a bulk material container, and a downstream second belt conveyor, oriented at an angle about a vertical axis, relative to the conveying direction of the first belt conveyor, for conveying away the bulk material. The first belt conveyor has a plurality of separately actuatable discharging conveyor belts arranged parallel to one another. The apparatus has an electronic control device which is configured to drive the discharging conveyor belts in each case intermittently such that units of the bulk material are each transferred to the second belt conveyor at discrete time intervals and/or distances.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus including a first pusher for pushing and conveying the left side, toward the right side direction; a second cutter for cutting the right side of the large sheet block and sequentially cutting the right end to divide the sheet into long column unit blocks in the up-and-down direction; a right side remover for removing the remaining portion; a column unit block conveyer for conveying the column unit blocks in the right side direction while maintaining a predetermined interval thereamong; a second pusher for pushing and conveying the upper sides of the cut column unit blocks toward the lower side direction; a fourth cutter for cutting the lower side of the column unit block and sequentially cutting the lower end of the column unit block into small blocks; and a lower side remover for removing the remaining portion.

Abstract: An article sortation system includes a plurality of transport units which are movable along a conveying path between induction stations and discharge stations along each side of the conveying path. Each transport unit has side by side loading and support capability and is operable to receive packages from induction stations and discharge the packages at an appropriate discharge station. The system includes a control which determines the destination of articles and resolves blocking conditions between articles at the induction stations or at the transport units. The system may include a reinduction station for receiving an article from a transport unit and reinducting the article onto a transport unit, in order to resolve a blocking condition between a pair of articles on the respective transport unit.

Abstract: A device and method for sequencing trays includes a tray receiving conveyor and a recirculating conveyor. Trays are placed on the recirculating conveyor and merged with ejected trays into a multiple of sequenced trays at one or more merge locations. The system can include more than one merge location, with one of the merge locations providing a merge of trays into a contiguous sequence of trays.

Abstract: A weighing system is provided to measure the article weight by first and second weight measurement devices. The first and second weight measurement devices each include a platform adapted to accept an article traveling along an upstream processing path and a device for sensing article weight as the article traverses the platform. Furthermore, the platforms of the first and second weight measurement devices define weight acquisition paths which are substantially parallel to one another. A diverter mechanism is provided to direct articles from the upstream processing path to one of the first or second weight acquisition paths. The diverter mechanism is controlled by a system processor which directs articles to one of the weight measurement devices depending upon its status, i.e., whether the path is available to receive another article for measuring weight. By diverting mailpieces to parallel weight acquisition paths, throughput is enhanced by multiple weight measurements occurring simultaneously.

Abstract: An accumulation table is disclosed. The accumulation table includes a frame, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and an adjustable discharge chute. Each conveyor has a U-shaped product carrying section on the top of the frame and an arcuate return section located on the bottom of the frame. Some embodiments further include non-linear tracks located between two conveyor chains to direct one of the conveyor chains towards the adjustable discharge chute. The accumulation table can be formed with three or more aligned modular sections, two arcuate sections, and one or more intermediate, straight center sections. Tracks located on each section are aligned to form the complete accumulation table.

Abstract: A sawtooth merging conveyor system that more accurately controls the position of merging cartons or other objects of varying size, shape, weight or condition. Rollers define entry portions configured to abut supply conveyors and a conveyor belt covers a main portion of the conveyor system. The rollers of the entry portions convey the cartons from the supply conveyors onto the conveyor belt. Slip of the cartons is reduced by the friction of the conveyor belt surface. The rollers of the entry portions may have a coating that improves roller grip of the cartons and matches the thickness of the belt to reduce slip and improve transitioning of the cartons onto the belt. A guide rail defines an outer edge of the entry portions and can includes a plurality of guide rollers connected to the main conveyor drive to urge packages onto the conveyor belt of the main portion.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transport and placement of articles in single file order includes dual parallel infeed conveyors each having an elevating portion for discharging articles onto transverse conveyors whose discharge ends are disposed over elevated discharge conveyors traversing in the opposite direction from the direction of movement of the infeed conveyors. The discharge conveyors include horizontal conveyor runs over which are disposed elongated article guide fences operable to guide articles into single file order but to also force articles not in proper order off of the conveyors into bottomless bins which guide the articles onto the inlet portions of the infeed conveyors for recycling through the apparatus.

Abstract: An accumulation table is disclosed. The accumulation table includes a frame, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and an adjustable discharge chute. Each conveyor has a U-shaped product carrying section on the top of the frame and an arcuate return section located on the bottom of the frame. Some embodiments further include non-linear tracks located between two conveyor chains to direct one of the conveyor chains towards the adjustable discharge chute.

Abstract: A conveyor system transports a multiplicity of product items from an input portion to an output portion and is provided with a first conveyor that transports the product items from the input portion to a distal turnaround region. A second conveyor transports the product items from the distal turnaround region to a redistribution region. A first product transfer arrangement urges the product items from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A plurality of exit conveyors are arranged to be parallel to each other for transporting the product items from the redistribution region to a product exit region located at the output portion, and are arranged to transport the product items at a respectively associated rates of transport. A product redistribution arrangement directs the product items to respective input ends of the plurality of exit conveyors.

Abstract: An article aligning apparatus for aligning a plurality article tiers to be loaded into a carton. Each article tier comprises an article array delivered from an in-feed stream at an in-feed end of a packaging machine. The apparatus comprises an article conveyor for conveying a lower article tier, a first article conveying means including one or more lugs mounted on an endless track for selecting an upper article tear and for conveying the upper article tier to a point of vertical alignment with the lower article tier, thereafter to be stacked and conveyed to the out feed end of the apparatus.

Abstract: Collection assembly for collecting and stacking articles. The articles are first moved adjacent to one another with the aid of positioning elements. The positioning elements comprise the conveyor belt that extends obliquely with respect to the distribution conveyor and that can be moved over the distribution conveyor to a greater or lesser extent. After bringing the articles into a row on a discharge plate, these are stacked, optionally via a buffer plate, on a lift plate and after the stack has been compressed to some extent this stack is slid into the box in such a way that the products concerned are placed vertically in the box.

Abstract: A station for connecting a blistering machine with a boxing machine includes an endless conveyor defining an inlet section, where articles are received from a blistering machine, and an outlet section cooperating with the boxing machine. A series of bars are connected at the ends with a couple of endless chains for supporting and guiding crosswise a number of carriages. The carriages have pins projecting within a first and second track to move the carriages crosswise from a first configuration, near the inlet section, in which a first series of carriages are longitudinally offset with respect to a second series of carriages, to a second configuration, near the outlet section, in which the carriages are all longitudinally aligned.

Abstract: An egg transfer apparatus is configured to distribute eggs substantially evenly with reduced breakage on a moving conveyor. The egg transfer apparatus includes a conveyor having opposite first and second ends, a pair of elongated members that extend along the direction of travel of the conveyor between the conveyor first and second ends, and a plurality of spaced-apart, diverging guides positioned downstream from the elongated members. Each elongated member includes opposite first and second end portions. The first end portions of the elongated members are in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship, and the second end portions have an arcuate configuration and converge to define an opening therebetween through which eggs on the conveyor are conveyed. The diverging guides are positioned downstream from the opening and cause the eggs passing through the opening to be generally evenly distributed at the conveyor second end.

Abstract: It is the intention to improve a conveyor system for supplying small parts to a chain assembling unit, the system comprising a track system transporting the small parts, and a feed device loading the track system with the small parts. To this end the track system comprises at least two loading tracks which are loadable by the feed device with small parts, and at least one feed track which passes the small parts onwards to the chain assembling unit and communicates with at least one corresponding loading track, the number of the feed tracks being smaller than the number of the loading tracks, and the at least one feed track being selectively connectable to at least one other corresponding loading track for conveying the small parts.

Abstract: A system and method reorients flat articles in a serial stream, by receiving a horizontally moving, serial input stream of substantially vertically oriented flat articles each having a downwardly oriented primary edge, laterally diverting the flat articles in the serial input stream alternately between a pair of separate paths, impeding horizontal movement of each flat article in each separate path, accelerating each flat article with impeded horizontal movement in the direction of its primary edge, and delivering substantially horizontally oriented flat articles from each separate path.

Abstract: A continuous product conveyor system of loop configuration is provided to receive products from an upstream destination in a given product delivery path arrangement and to deliver those products to a downstream destination in a different product delivery path arrangement. The system is adapted, for example, to deliver a single file product path from an upstream destination and deliver multiple delivery paths downstream. The system also can be used to receive multiple product delivery paths from an upstream destination and deliver a single file product path or a different number of product paths downstream. The system can further be used for receiving mass product flow and delivering one or more product delivery paths downstream.

Abstract: A pasteurizer (1) comprising an endless circulating transport conveyor (3) guided around deflection rolls (7, 8) and used for transporting through the pasteurizer (1) the products (18) to be pasteurized, and having a feed conveyor (5) and/or a discharge conveyor (9) oriented essentially transversely to the conveying direction of the transport conveyor (3) and having a smaller width than the transport conveyor (3), feed conveyor (5) and/or discharge conveyor to and away from the respective end face of the transport conveyor (3), and a transfer surface (4, 19) for bridging a distance between the conveying surface(s) of the feed conveyor (5) and/or of the discharge conveyor (9) and the conveying surface of the transport conveyor (3). The feed conveyor (5) and/or the discharge conveyor (9) is arranged so close to the respective end face of the transport conveyor (3) that the lateral boundary (K) thereof, which face the transport conveyor (3), is arranged above the contour of the respective deflection roll (7, 8).

Abstract: A heating device for heating merchandise, especially printed boards, comprises a feeding device provided in front of a least one heating line in the transport direction of the merchandise and a discharge device provided behind the heating line in the transport direction, wherein a number of heating zones/devices and/or cooling zones/devices or the like are associated with the heating line. To improve a heating device of the aforementioned type by increasing the throughput of merchandise in a simple manner, at least two heating lines are disposed on top of each other, to which merchandise can be separately fed by the feeding device from a horizontal transport level, and the merchandise can be separately discharged from the heating lines by the discharge device from the heating lines back into a horizontal transport level.

Abstract: A conveyor system for discrete entities, including a gathering member supplied by at least two upstream units (26, 27) each of which brings to the gathering member a series of entities (11, 13), and wherein the entities leave the gathering member in a single line. The gathering member includes a gathering wheel (36) driven in rotation and provided with several slots (38, 39) emerging radially at the periphery of the wheel for receiving each entity, and the slots of a common series have the same radial depth, the series of slots being differentiated by the depth of their slots, and each series of slots is associated exclusively with an upstream unit.

Abstract: A lumber transfer system for transferring lumber pieces conveyed on a main conveyor to an upper conveyor is provided by the present invention. The lumber transfer system comprises a pivotable loading ramp movable between a loading position to direct the lumber pieces from the lower conveyor toward the upper conveyor and a standby position where the ramp is set out of the way of the lumber pieces conveyed on the main conveyor. The lumber transfer system further comprises a controllable pushing mechanism for engaging and pushing a lumber piece conveyed on the main conveyor onto and along the ramp when the ramp is in the loading position until the lumber piece reaches the loading end of the upper conveyor. The lumber transfer system further has a controller to control and synchronise the pushing mechanism and the movement of the loading ramp.

Abstract: A system for performing an operation for a circuit substrate, including a plurality of main conveyors each of which conveys, positions, and supports a circuit substrate, the plurality of main conveyors being arranged in a direction perpendicular to a circuit-substrate conveying direction in which the each main conveyor conveys the circuit substrate, an operation performing device which performs at least one operation for the circuit substrate positioned and supported by the each main conveyor, at least one of (a) a carry-in conveyor which conveys the circuit substrate to the each main conveyor and loads the circuit substrate thereon, and (b) a carry-out conveyor which loads the circuit substrate off the each main conveyor and conveys the circuit substrate away therefrom, and a conveyor shifting device which selectively shifts the at least one of the carry-in conveyor and the carry-out conveyor to one of a plurality of shift positions at each of which the one conveyor is aligned with a corresponding one of the

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dough handling includes a first conveyor for receiving dough and having a first discharge end for discharging dough. A second conveyor receives dough and is positioned along side the first conveyor to convey in the direction of the first conveyor. The second conveyor has a second discharge end that is spaced-apart from the first discharge end. The first and second conveyors can be used to separate dough pieces from an elongated dough product such as a roll and/or phase individual dough pieces to provide them in succession for packaging or further processing.

Abstract: A low pressure accumulation table for accumulating products is described herein. The accumulation table includes an inlet, an outlet, at least one feed conveyor and at least two accumulation conveyors. The feed and accumulation conveyors define an accumulation surface. The feed conveyor and the two accumulation conveyors are so mounted side by side that the feed conveyor alternate with the two accumulation conveyors. The two accumulation conveyors, when energized, convey the products from the accumulation surface towards the outlet at a rate which is a function of the conveying speed of the two accumulation conveyors.

Abstract: A device for automatically determining the weight of items of post comprising a feeding device (1) that contain conveyor belts that grip the postal items and conveys them in single file. A distributor (3) separates the incomming stream of items from the feeding device (1) into parallel conveying paths (TS) where they are weighed. The parallel conveying paths (TS) also contain belts which continue to grasp the postal items even as they are being weighed. Once the items are weighed, they are fed to a channelling device (4) which recombines the multiple streams of postal items from the parallel conveying paths (TS) into a single stream (2).

Abstract: A conveyorized system and method of use therefor for disassembling, inspecting, reconditioning and testing a brake actuator is disclosed. The disassembly area includes a spring removal fixture and a torque removal fixture. The conveyor system includes multi-level conveyor portions to eliminate the need for operators to lift awkward, heavy components. The test area includes a fixture adapted to pressure test and leak test a reconditioned brake actuator and to test for slack adjuster travel. The disclosed conveyor system is specially adapted to disassemble, inspect, recondition and test air brake actuators for trains, such as disc actuators and tread actuators.

Abstract: In order to increase the throughput rate of conveyors with a conveyor star, it is proposed that groups consisting of several bulk items be fed essentially radially to said star (13) and that in the process the mutual positions of bulk items (1) be adapted to the curved mutual positions of transport recesses (23) on conveyor star (13) and/or to the intervals between them.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail which incorporates a number of operating stations that serve to accomplish the various aspects of mail extraction, as well as the subsequent processing of extracted documents, and which are operatively associated with one another to serially process envelopes and extracted documents in continuous fashion and substantially independent of their characteristic features. To this end, the operating stations of the apparatus are configured to be as independent as possible of the characteristics of the envelopes and their contents so that envelopes and contents of varied characteristics can be effectively handled by the apparatus without requiring any significant adjustments.

Abstract: Single sheets A are drawn in the usual way from a first stack 8 of single sheets and conveyed on a first recording carrier conveying path 1. At its end there is a switch 10 which alternately feeds the single sheets A to a second and a third recording carrier conveying path 2, 3. In the second recording carrier conveying path 2 which is in the form of a loop, the single sheets A are shifted sideways by the width of one single sheet. A sideways shifted single sheet A1 and a single sheet A2 which has not been shifted sideways simultaneously reach a fourth recording carrier conveying path 4 on which they are conveyed in pairs to a printing unit D which spans the fourth recording carrier conveying path 4 and conveyed out of it again. Subsequently, one single sheet A1 per pair of single sheets is shifted back by the width of one single sheet in a fifth recording carrier conveying path 5 which is also designed as a loop while the other single sheet A2 is conveyed onwards linearly.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring bag packs (10) containing sensitive loose material to a collective packer for the introduction of the packs into a carton or the like. To compensate for the difference in performance rates of a production machine (bag packer) for the packs (10) and the collective packer, there is provided a conveying device (17) with at least two conveyor belts (18, 19) which act as compensating conveyors. The packs (10) are fed to a special collecting station (16) by the conveying device (17). This collecting station comprises an intermediate band (35) and a group band (43). In the region of the intermediate band (35), the packs (10) are spaced out at a distance so they can be detected. In the region of the group band (43), a pack group (11) is formed from packs (10) lying tightly next to one another.

Abstract: A plurality of parallel infeed conveyor belts increase in length from the shortest to the longest in length increments corresponding to the length of groups of equal numbers of containers in rows on the belts. The groups are in multiple file arrangement initially and are translated respectively to the end of each belt to effect disposing the groups in series and offset but parallel relationship. The groups are then advanced together to aligned belts of an intermediate conveyor to arrive at a conversion region wherein all groups that are offset relative to a group on one intermediate conveyor belt are shifted laterally to alignment with the one group so the formerly parallel groups become arranged in single file in condition for being conveyed further.

Abstract: In order to improve binding line output by reducing equipment downtime effects, a book accumulator for a binding line is provided. The binding line book accumulator includes a book accumulating table for accumulating books from and returning books to a binding line in first-in first-out fashion, and it also includes a first diverter for diverting books from the binding line to the book accumulating table and a second diverter for diverting books from the book accumulating table to the binding line. In addition, a control is provided for selectively and independently operating the first and second diverters upon demand in response to a variety of factors.

Abstract: An arrangement for converting a multi-track container stream supplied by a feed mechanism into a plurality of parallel container rows in a withdrawal mechanism. The container rows are separated from one another by a lane separation or separating elements. A transition zone is provided between the feed mechanism and the withdrawal mechanism. To increase the output and/or to provide a protective processing of the containers, a lane separation formed by lanes is already provided at the transition zone. In particular, the width of each lane in the transition zone has a conveying width that corresponds to a multi-track container stream yet is several times less than the conveying width of the feed mechanism. Furthermore, the lanes of the transition zone narrow in a direction toward the withdrawal mechanism.

Abstract: A conveying junction includes upstream and downstream conveyors, and an intermediate conveyor which transfers packages from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor. A drop-off zone is located adjacent an outer edge of the intermediate conveyor. The upstream conveyor has a greater width than each of the downstream and intermediate conveyors, and the width of the intermediate conveyor is less than one-half the width of the downstream conveyor. This tends to ensure that the downstream conveyor receives only packages arranged in single file and having a width less than the width of the downstream conveyor, in order to minimize the risk of jams occurring in downstream turns of the conveyor system. A driven roller can be disposed adjacent and below the outer edge of the intermediate conveyor to accelerate the discharge of the packages.

Abstract: A forming, filling, and sealing machine, whereon a carton transfer mechanism includes an indexing turret having a plurality of dual mandrels formed thereon, and two bottom-closed pivotally mounted carriers for alternately moving two cartons at a time from two respective indexed dual mandrels to a conveyor. The conveyor is adapted to receive two sets of two cartons each before indexing four cartons at a time to a filling station.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for temporarily storing products (2), including two mutually coaxial equal wheels (6, 16) rotatable intermittently with identical laws of motion and provided peripherally with respective pluralities of equidistant radial compartments (8, 17) for containing respective products (2), a feeder device for introducing the products (2) in succession into the compartments (8) of a first (6) of the two wheels, an extractor device (15) for removing the products (2) in succession from the compartments (17) of the second (16) of the two wheels, a drum (11) positioned between the two wheels (6, 16) and provided with a plurality of peripheral compartments (12) to each contain a plurality of products (2), the compartments (12) having their longitudinal ends facing respective compartments (8, 17) of the two wheels (6, 16), and a transfer device (21) for simultaneously extracting a plurality of products (2) from a like number of compartments (8) of the first wheel ( 6) and inserting them into corresponding co

Abstract: A device for transferring continuously arriving articles, especially folded-bottom boxes lying with their ends that face each other along the direction of travel differing in thickness, to a packing machine, with a mechanism for distributing the articles onto two different conveyor mechanisms, one conveying the articles without rotating them to the upstream side of a merging mechanism and the other extending below the merging mechanism, through a 180.degree. curve, and back to its downstream side and a mechanism for alternately laying off flat articles, especially folded-bottom boxes, from each side of and onto a more or less horizontal merging mechanism that is especially intended for use with a device of the aforesaid type and that has two two-belt conveyor mechanisms that end at approximately the same level on each side of and outside the layoff area. The merging mechanism is a conveyor belt that branches off at an angle from the two conveyor mechanisms and extends to a packing machine.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assessing the weight of items passing along a conveyor line, which comprises directing the items to pass from the conveyor line onto a conveyor means positioned beside the line so that the items by-pass a length of the conveyor line before rejoining the latter, and weighing the items on a weight assessment device (such as a weigh load cell) included in the conveyor means.Also provided is apparatus for use in such a method comprising a conveyor means, including a weight assessment device, for location beside the conveyor line, and means for directing the items onto the conveyor means so that they by-pass a length of the conveyor line before rejoining it. The conveyor means conveniently comprises an infeed sction, for acceleration and separation of the items and an outfeed section for realignment of the items prior to their return to the conveyor line.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting media in various size sheets processed at a first processing station to a second processing station. The apparatus comprises, as main components thereof, a plurality of trays disposed between the first and second processing stations, each for accommodating media sheets of one size stacked one upon another, a first transport device for receiving media from the first processing station and transporting the media to the trays, and a second transport device associated with the trays for successively transporting the media from the trays to the second processing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sequential loading of a plurality of cartons with articles, such as plastic bags and the like, and more particularly, an indexing system for such an apparatus to increase the rate of feed of the cartons to bag-loading stations which are contained in the apparatus.

Abstract: This apparatus for separating wet laundry articles (e.g.

Abstract: The charging-and-conveying device includes screws (5 and 6) effecting the removal of piece articles (3) from a bulk pile (2) and positioned relative to each other with their turns mutually overlapping, the screws rotating towards each other. Positioned in the overlap zone is a member (16) orienting the articles (3) being conveyed. The device further includes screws (8 and 9) having an area for accumulation of the latter. Guides (21 and 21a) are arranged along the screws (8 and 9).

Abstract: A box indexing table delivers a group of empty boxes from a main conveyor to a box loading machine. The loaded boxes are pushed onto a full box conveyor. Both the main conveyor and the full box conveyor extend completely across the table. The capacity of the loading equipment can be expanded in modular fashion by adding modular tables.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing and transporting tobacco pouches includes a turret type feed conveyor, a reciprocating preconveyor and a pocket-chain type discharge conveyor. Closing apparatus are associated with the pre-conveyor. A tobacco pouch is transported from the feed conveyor to one of a plurality of movable pack receptacle regions at a feed station, and then transported, by reciprocating fingers, to a discharge station where closing apparatus seals the pouch. The sealed pouch is thereafter discharged to a pocket of the discharge conveyor. Each discharge station is provided with a pair of spaced, movable walls which receive a pouch therebetween, retain the pouch during sealing and are thereafter moved to carry the sealed pouch to the discharge conveyor. Finger retraction and extension apparatus are provided to move the fingers into engagement with a pouch at the feed station and to disengage the fingers from a pouch at the discharge station.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading a multiopening press for manufacturing fibreboard comprises a first endless conveyor movable through an upper opening of a press having upper and lower openings with an intermediate plate therebetween. The first endless conveyor is formed of a plurality of conveyor sections which are spaced along the first conveyor and connected together by at least one drive member. A second endless conveyor is movable through the lower opening of the press. The first and second conveyors move along first and second feed paths through the upper and lower opening of the press respectively. The first conveyor however intersects the second feed path with the at least one drive member positioned on the first conveyor to permit passage of a mat for making a fibreboard on the second feed path to the second conveyor when each of the conveyor sections is spaced away from a location of intersection of the first conveyor and the second feed path.

Abstract: Packet handling apparatus, particularly for use between a cigarette packing machine and a cigarette packet wrapping machine, includes a main conveyor for moving packets towards a receiving station, and a reservoir for temporarily storing packets when the receiving station cannot accept the full supply from the conveyor. Packets are diverted from the main conveyor onto a secondary conveyor on which transfer to or from the reservoir occurs. The orientation of the packets is changed before loading into the reservoir so that the latter can receive batches of stacked packets. Packets are returned to the main conveyor at a position downstream of the position at which they were diverted, and returned packets have the same orientation as other packets on the main conveyor.

Abstract: Device to separate without gaps the trailing end of a leading individual length of rolled stock and the leading end of a following length, which are parted from a rolled billet by cross-cutting shears, in the live-roller feed bed upstream of cooling beds, comprises a separate trough section disposed downstream of a switch in the form of a separating diverter subdivided into two parallel longitudinal sections, one with a fixed trough section and one vertically displaceable trough section which forms a depressed portion at a lower level.

Abstract: An article feeding apparatus capable of reliably feeding articles one by one to the next process. It comprises a plurality of feed troughs (5) adapted to be individually vibrated and disposed side by side with each other with their take-in ends formed as flat surfaces in juxtaposed relation in a plane, a plurality of arranging conveyors (10) disposed adjacent the feed troughs in the direction of feed of articles, each conveyor serving to arrange articles in a line which are being fed from its associated feed trough and feed them, pool hoppers (14) installed at the take-out ends of the arranging conveyors and adapted to open and close, a bucket conveyor (15) for transferring to the next process the articles dropped from the pool hoppers one by one into buckets supported to turn around the axes of pivots, and means disposed at a predetermined position in the path of travel of the bucket conveyor for separating a plurality of articles from each other if such plurality are charged into a bucket.

Abstract: The device forms an operative station located downstream of the machine which cuts out dough triangles for the production of crescent shaped rolls of dough.Through the use of parallel conveyors across the direction of advance of the cut dough, which are continued in tracks through a 180.degree. arc, it becomes possible to realign the dough cut into triangles with the same orientation without turning the triangles upside down.

Abstract: An indexing conveyor system wherein a feed conveyor section receives items, which are rapidly dispensed from a source thereof, and transports the items, one behind the other, on a plurality of endless belts to a pivotal conveyor section. A counter counts the items moving on the pivotal conveyor section and effects rapid pivotal movement of the pivotal conveyor section when a predetermined number of items have been counted. The distal end of the pivotal conveyor section pivots between positions aligned first with one and then the other of a pair of elongated receiving conveyor sections arranged in tiers and each having a plurality of longitudinally extending, laterally spaced endless belts. A guard conveyor section closely overlies the pivotal conveyor section, is movable in unison therewith, and prevents items from being thrown off of the pivotal conveyor section when the latter pivots between its respective positions.