Abstract: A sortation system and method of inducting product are useful with a sorter having a continuous member defining a plurality of transport positions of the continuous member and a plurality of sort destinations for receiving product discharged from the continuous member. At least one induction unit is provided including a plurality of tandem conveying units. Product is received with the at least one induction unit from a product source and discharged from the at least one induction unit to the continuous member. According to one aspect of the invention, the at least one induction unit follows the speed of the continuous member. This includes starting as soon as the continuous member is moving and decreasing in speed substantially only when the continuous member decreases in speed. The invention is useful with linear sorters, such as positive displacement sorters, and the like. The invention is also useful with carousel sorters, such as tilt-tray sorters and cross-belt sorters.

Abstract: A multi-stream singulator has two continuously laterally adjacent streams of cups, which carry and advance articles to be graded to a discharge zone. Articles from the discharge zone are received onto a single stream grading conveyor. At least one of the streams of cups of the multi-stream singulator is a partial cup in advance of the other stream so that the items are discharged non-simultaneously at the discharge zone. Optical scanning of the articles is undertaken by a scanner scanning a zone of the singulating conveyor to determine a physical attribute of each article. Means are provided to associate the scanned attribute of each article from the singulating conveyor with its subsequent position on the single stream grading conveyor.

Abstract: A routing device that allows two incoming streams of flat objects on two upstream conveyors to converge symmetrically at a small angle toward a downstream conveyor and be grouped into a single stream of flat objects, such that the two upstream conveyors paths form a Y-shaped structure with the conveying path defined by the downstream conveyor. The upstream conveyors each have a press belt (7; 7′) stretched over elastically deformable wheels (10, 11, 12, 10′, 11′, 12′) with fixed axles and a backing belt (4; 4′) against which the press belt presses to convey the flat objects. The press belts (7, 7′) of the upstream conveyors meet at a gripping point constituting the entry to the downstream conveyor and are pressed against one another downstream of the gripping point by two elastically deformable wheels (11, 11′) with fixed axles for defining the path of the downstream conveyor.

Abstract: A device for checking objects carried by persons entering an enclosed area, has a checking area, a first transport device transporting objects from a first location outside the checking area into the checking area, and a second transport device transporting objects from a second location outside the checking area into the checking area, wherein the second location is not the first location. This design increases the throughput of persons through such a check point.

Abstract: A device for supplying cigarettes on a conditioning machine with two packing lines has a hopper with four outlets; an intermittent conveyor having a succession of pockets arranged with a given spacing, and extending along a straight path located at the outlets and at a supply station for supplying the packing lines; and an ejector for simultaneously transferring respective groups from the four outlets to respective successive, adjacent pockets during a stop phase of the conveyor; the outlets being arranged with the aforementioned given spacing.

Abstract: A system for and a method of singulating parcels stored in a bulk into a single file of parcels that are mutually separated, by leading the parcels between consecutive, perpendicular conveyor sections by chutes that are designed for providing the desired spreading of parcels in a transport direction and/or the desired narrowing of the flow of parcels in a direction transverse to the transport direction. A first chute leads parcels from an input conveyor section to an intermediate conveyor section so that parcels having different transverse positions will tend to be spread in the transport direction when passing from the input conveyor section to the intermediate conveyor section. A second chute leads parcels from an intermediate conveyor section to a receiving conveyor section so that parcels subsequently will have a significantly reduced mutual spacing in the direction transverse to the transport direction of the receiving conveyor section.

Abstract: An automatic loading and unloading apparatus using servo motors allows simultaneous loading and unloading of two or more semiconductor device packages into and from test devices. The loading and unloading apparatus has a feeding mechanism which has a feed container carrying two semiconductor device packages which have not yet been tested; a loading tool for transferring those two semiconductor device packages from the feed container to a centering position; a DC test contact tool; an insertion tool; a removal tool; and a sorting station for sorting the semiconductor device packages depending on results of a burn-in test. The tools of the apparatus are driven by the action of servo motors, thereby allowing independent movements thereof in the vertical and horizontal directions.

Abstract: A needle sorting device including an infeed device which first singulates a bulk supply of surgical needles into single file with an intermittently driven vibratory feed bowl assembly, and then individually separates and deposits the needles on a first conveyor for transmission to a processing station with a linear slide discharge mechanism. The first conveyor is translucent and during transit, one or more cameras obtain an image of the individual deposited needles. The image is digitized and the digital signals are transmitted to a control system computer which evaluates the position and orientation for needles and processes the information to obtain data for communication to one or more robot assemblies having grippers. Utilizing the position and orientation data, the robot assembly grippers removes selected needles from the first conveyor and transfers each needle to an engagement device located upon a second precision conveyor.

Abstract: A method for making hardwood or decorative plywood. The plywood includes a number plies including a back veneer, a face veneer, and a number of core and center plies. The method forms subunits of plies and stacks the discrete formed subunits to form a unit. The unit is processed to forms discrete hardwood panels. Subunits having different sets of plies are formed. The subunits are formed by sequencing the order of placement of the plies so that the face and back veneers do not touch the conveyor. This process enables line assembly of hardwood plywood. Without this sequencing, at least the back veneers would touch the conveyor subjecting the panel to aesthetic damage due to the nature of the outer veneers. This process also significantly reduced the labor necessary for forming the panels because numerous subunits can be formed simultaneously.

Abstract: A unit for conveying products and having a main conveying device; two secondary conveying devices for feeding respective streams of products to the main conveying device via respective inputs; and a distributing device for so controlling the two streams that the products in a first of the two streams, on reaching an output of the main conveying device, are offset with respect to the products in a second of the two streams, so as to form a single succession of products through the output.

Abstract: A transport system operates to convey articles preferably through an oven before their subsequent removal. The transport system is synchronized with an article delivery system to receive and subsequently convey articles for final distribution on one or more conveyor belts. This is accomplished by drive mechanism which rotates a plurality of support bars having hooks. These hooks are used to catch articles as they are provided to the transport system and retain these articles during conveyance. An adjustable chute is used to impede the conveyance of only the articles. This causes the articles to be removed from the hooks and slide down the chute to the conveyor belt(s).

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying, cleaning, drying, oiling, candling, grading and packing eggs and high speeds. A main conveyor assembly, which includes two or more conveyors, transfers eggs continuously in spaced-apart, aligned relationship to transfer at which eggs are packaged according to their previously-determined individual physical characteristics, such as weight, cracks, dirt, etc. The conveyors can run in the same direction, or may run in opposite directions. The transfers accommodate the at least two conveyors, and include a section which gathers ejected eggs and may convey them to a packing station in a manner which prevents egg collisions. The eject mechanism for ejecting eggs from the conveyors ensures proper distribution of the eggs across a transfer so as to prevent egg collisions and to ensure that the packers are filled equally across their widths.

Abstract: Articles are conveyed along a singulator conveyor system by being conveyed upwardly along an inclined first conveyor which is inclined at an angle of at least twenty-five degrees, so that any articles disposed atop other articles will fall off. The articles are discharged onto a second conveyor travelling horizontally at a linear speed at least twice that of the first conveyor in a direction substantially perpendicularly to a direction of travel of the first conveyor. The articles are then discharged from the second conveyor onto a third conveyor travelling generally horizontally at a linear speed at least twice that of the second conveyor in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the second conveyor. The articles are discharged from the third conveyor onto a slide which guides the articles downwardly onto a fourth conveyor which travels in the same direction as the third conveyor at the same speed as the third conveyor.

Abstract: A cheese conveying system has an interface belt centrally trough-shaped along its length and disposed to span between the outlets of two delivery belts and to extend therefrom to the inlet of a collection belt, by means of which cheeses transported from the delivery belts in a lying position roll transversely to the center of the interface belt to accomplish a gentle uncomplicated transfer of the bobbins from the delivery belts to the collection belt. The delivery belts are alternately actuable and the respectively delivery, interface and collecting belts are driven at the same speed.

Abstract: A device for aligning a plurality of products, arriving via at least two non-correlated inlet paths, according to a predeterminable pitch along one outlet path. The device includes a plurality of adjacent conveyor belts, here being as many conveyor belts as there are inlet paths. A corresponding sensor is associated for each of the conveyor belts to determine the arrival of a product on the corresponding conveyor belt. A separate actuator with a corresponding position transducer moves each conveyor belt. A control unit is connected to the actuators, the sensors (F1, F2) and the position transducers. The control unit controls the movement of the conveyor belts such that the products on the outlet path are arranged according to the predeterminable pre-set pitch.

Abstract: A combinational weighing system receives articles sequentially in a plurality of mutually parallel supply lines to be sequentially transported to weighing devices which are individually associated therewith and weigh batches of the articles received therefrom. Combinations of the measured weight values are combined and a particular combination of article batches is selected as having a total weight which satisfies a predefined condition. The article batches in the selected combination are transported in a general direction of flow from the weighing devices to an outlet in mutually different travel modes such that they are automatically aligned one behind another in the direction of flow as they are discharged together through the outlet.

Abstract: An article removal conveyor includes first and second conveying lanes disposed in parallel alongside one another and driven in a manner imparting mutually divergent conveying forces. The first conveying lane has a conveying surface with a higher coefficient of friction than that of the second conveying lane so that any articles contacting the first conveying lane will be controlled by that lane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of conveying, slicing and packaging half loaves, starting from whole bread loaves. The loaves, which are conveyed perpendicularly to their longitudinal direction, are sliced in halves by a band slicer arranged in the path of conveyance, and one half from each loaf is turned 180.degree. about an axis extending perpendicularly to the plane of conveyance of the loaves, and the halves of each loaf are positioned one behind the other, are sliced into slices and are packaged in bags. The half to be turned is accelerated in forward direction and is brought in front of the other half from the respective loaf during turning. The invention also relates to an apparatus including a turn table to turn said half.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for producing consolidated lines having a predetermined content of products of a plurality of product types, each line being produced in a sequence of alternating steps including the steps of conveying the line to be consolidated and of adding products to the line to be consolidated. A consolidating field includes consolidating stations interconnected by conveying paths and an outlet path connecting a consolidating station to an outlet. A control unit includes a consolidation data storage device for receiving and storing consolidation data regarding the consolidating field and regarding an allocation of product types to consolidating stations. Products of at least one product type are supplied to each consolidating station.

Abstract: A first conveyor belt has a transverse tilt from horizontal and a wall along one side. Crushed plastic containers dropped onto the belt fall against the wall and are thus aligned under gravity action. The first belt transfers aligned containers to a second belt operating at a faster rate of speed and having a width capable of supporting only a single article in the transverse direction. The second belt transfers the containers to a third belt operating at a faster rate of speed than the second belt thereby further spacing the containers one from another. A scanner checks the spacing of each adjacent pair of containers and causes an air cannon to blow containers from the third belt when spacing does not conform to a predetermined spacing criteria. Containers falling from the end of the first belt and those blown from the third belt are received by a hopper having a conveyer therein which returns such containers to the first belt.

Abstract: The present invention simplifies the structure of a run-in trough system for a cooling bed by constructing a device for stopping steel bars supplied to the run-in trough with a lower brake shoe of a trough type provided in a way as to move in a vertical direction together with the open trough. An upper brake shoe is provided swingably in a vertical direction on a fixed shaft provided on the main body of the run-in trough body, and a driving device is provided for the upper brake shoe.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for simultaneously transferring a plurality of containers onto a continuously moving conveyor from a surface located adjacent to the conveyor. A pair of pusher plates are positioned along the surface, opposite the conveyor. The pusher plates extend towards the conveyor to simultaneously transfer a predetermined number of containers onto the conveyor. A shuttle plate is positioned above the conveyor and has compartments positioned to receive the cartons as they are pushed onto the conveyor. Once the cartons are loaded into the compartments, the shuttle plate is moved along the conveyor to accelerate the batch of containers up to the speed of the conveyor. Once the cartons reach the speed of the conveyor, the shuttle plate retracts out of the path of the conveyor and the containers continues to move along the conveyor. The shuttle plate then returns to its original to accept the next batch of containers.

Abstract: An automatic pipe loading device includes a magazine containing a plurality of pipes which are gravity fed through a discharge opening at a discharge end of the magazine. A pipe transfer member is mounted beneath the magazine and rotates between load and unload positions. In a load position, the pipe transfer mechanism presents a pocket in alignment with a discharge opening of the magazine. In all other positions, the pipe transfer mechanism presents a blocking surface preventing pipes from being discharged from the magazine. The pipe transfer member includes a pipe grip for grasping a pipe received within the receiving pocket and releasing the grasped pipe at a desired location.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided for combining articles from a mass to a single file lane. The conveyor comprises a moving guide belt disposed over multiple, parallel conveying surfaces traveling at progressively increasing speeds toward the single file lane. The angle, speed, or both of the guide is selected to minimize article rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring articles from a plurality of input lines to a single independently drive output line includes a device for lifting articles from each input line in turn and transferring them to a position adjacent the output line, and a control mechanism for controlling deposit of the articles on the output line dependent on the rate of movement of the output line, whereby articles transferred from the input lines are placed on the output line in equi-spaced relation.

Abstract: An article unscrambler and aligner is disclosed which receives articles of different sizes in random order and position, and using plural side-by-side lanes each of which lanes has driven article transport rollers at different speeds, which speeds are uniform for the length of the lane, but are progressively higher in each lane toward one side of the unscrambler in order to provide a lateral linear speed increase. This speed increase causes separation and rotation of the articles and also causes them to arrange in single file along one side of the unscrambler's surface and so discharge them onto a conveyor at the end of the unscrambler remote from that at which the articles were received. One or more lanes are composed of rollers of tapered diameter in order to make the lateral speed increase more uniform.

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: An article unscrambler and aligner is disclosed which receives articles of different sizes in random order and position, and using plural side-by-side lanes each of which lanes has driven article transport rollers at different speeds, which speeds are uniform for the length of the lane, but are progressively higher in each lane toward one side of the unscrambler in order to provide a lateral linear speed increase. This speed increase causes separation and rotation of the articles and also causes them to arrange in single file along one side of the unscrambler's surface and so discharge them onto a conveyor at the end of the unscrambler remote from that at which the articles were received. One or more lanes are composed of rollers of tapered diameter in order to make the lateral speed increase more uniform.

Abstract: A conveyance system particularly adapted for food processing utilizes an article handling apparatus including a feed device which is particularly adapted to convey cans in clusters of a predetermined uniform number to a toppler apparatus for manipulating the cans from an axis-vertical to an axis-horizontal condition. The feed device utilizes screw elements effective to receive cans from a double row and to merge them into a single row for conveyance to the toppler apparatus. The screw elements while merging the cans into a single row place the cans on a predetermined mutual spacing for unencumbered toppling.

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: A package transport system (1) is provided for transporting yarn packages from a textile machine (2) to a transport conveyor (4) and includes a first output conveyor (14) leading outwardly from a top portion of the textile machine, a second output conveyor (16) adjacent to the first output conveyor (14) also leading outwardly from the top portion of the textile machine, a first chute (18) communicating with the first output conveyor (14) for transporting a first package from an end of the first output conveyor (14 ) to the transport conveyor (4 ) , and a second chute (20) communicating with the second output conveyor (16) for transporting a second package from an end of the second output conveyor (16) to the transport conveyor (4). The yarn packages are thus deposited onto the transport conveyor (4) at a predetermined distance from one another without making contact.

Abstract: An orderly succession of first tobacco items, each including of a double cigarette portion, is fed along a path, along which the first items are cut into two portions, which are connected by rolling, and by means of an outer band and the interposition of an intermediate double filter, to form an orderly succession of second items, which are cut to form a first and second succession of third items consisting of single, side by side, oppositely-oriented cigarettes; the cigarettes in one of the two successions being turned over 180.degree. in relation to those in the other succession to form at least one stream of equioriented cigarettes for supply to a follow-up machine; and the pitch of the various successions of items undergoing only one change along the entire path.

Abstract: A device (10) for selective transfer of rows of products (11) between pairs of facing upper conveyor belts (12,13) and a lower belt (18) arranged at a right angle. One end of a first upper conveyor belt (12) for arrival of products is inclinable toward a lower belt (18). Beneath each facing end of the upper belts (12, 13) there is an intermediate horizontal shelf (14, 15) for reception and discharge of products. At least the first shelf (15) beneath the second upper belt (13) is inclinable between the horizontal position and a position inclined upward to align with the end of the opposite upper belt (12) inclined downward. At least the other shelf (14) being movable between a high position in which it is aligned with the first shelf (15) in a horizontal position and a low position aligned with the corresponding edge of the lower belt (18).

Abstract: An intersection is provided for bottle conveyor lines having individual neck guide pairs. The intersection comprises a transfer plate and a pair of changing plates. The transfer plate includes a substantially Y-shaped opening extending to the edges thereof and comprising two arm members and a leg member defining a central plate portion and side plate portions. Each arm member when combined with the leg member forms a substantially continuously curving bottle path. The changing plates are movable, preferably vertically, between first positions in planar alignment with the transfer plate and second positions clear of bottles moving along the paths. The changing plates include an edge spanning one bottle path from opposite sides of the leg portion of the Y-shaped opening to the point of intersection of the converging edges of the central plate to complete the bottle supporting guides along the other bottle path.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for merging articles on multiple infeed lines into a single outfeed line. The apparatus comprises a frame structure with an infeed end and an outfeed end, and at least two side transfer conveyors, each with a pair of parallel upstanding belts separated a predetermined distance and forming a central conveyance path. The side transfer conveyors are alternately operable to convey a predetermined number of articles to the outfeed end. A guide rail structure is located at the outfeed end and is aligned with the side transfer conveyors to direct output articles into a single line configuration.

Abstract: Method and installation for converting multi-track flow of containers into a single track flow, wherein an infeed conveyor is slanted relative to the horizontal plane, an intermediate conveyor is slanted at the same angle and so is a discharge conveyor. The intermediate conveyor is at least as wide as the infeed conveyor and abuts onto it. The discharge conveyor is arranged parallel and lateral to the intermediate conveyor. There is a cross-over plate between the infeed and intermediate conveyors. The advanced containers are first pushed onto the cross-over plate by the containers coming in on the infeed conveyor and they remain abreast of each other as they are then pushed onto the intermediate conveyor, whereby they are gradually accelerated to a speed which is lower than the speed of the discharge conveyor.

Abstract: Plural article transfer mechanisms are operated in timed sequence by an electronic control synchronized to a main drive shaft. Each article transfer mechanism transfers articles from a dead plate to a moving conveyor. An extensible-retractable pusher arm engages, moves and releases the articles between 90.degree. positions under control of a fluid motor mounted on a turntable. Operation of the fluid motor is based on rotary alignment of a pair of turntable ports with a pair of fluid supply channels in a turntable drive body. The turntable is stepped in rotary increments between 90.degree. positions by an electric stepping motor. The angular speed profile of the pusher arm between the 90.degree. positions is governed by a programmed electronic control, including a PROM, which drives the stepping motor. An adjustable finger clip assembly is snap-fitted on the pusher arm and provided with a handle for ease of replacement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for transferring objects from a first conveyor to a second conveyor which is arranged substantially perpendicularly to the first conveyor, the objects being transferred in parallel relationship to themselves. The first conveyor travels at a higher speed than the second conveyor. The transfer may be effected by means of one or more transfer members adapted to make an oblique movement in such a way that the component of velocity in the direction of travel of the first conveyor is approximately the same as the speed of the first conveyor and the component of velocity in the direction of travel of the second conveyor is approximately the same as the speed of the second conveyor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for merging goods which are stored on a plurality of storage lines, including the steps of continuously forming a unit of goods each unit including a plurality of different items which are loaded generally over the entire length of each storage line, carrying out the unit of goods from each of the storage lines after the plurality of items have been stored on each storage line, storing the goods on each of the storage lines after the goods have been counted, and changing the speed of carrying out of goods from each storage line according to the sizes of the goods. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bottle unscrambler has a hopper which rotates while oriented at an angle to the horizontal through a random distribution of bottles at the low portion of the hopper. The bottom of the hopper is bounded by a ring which rotates counter to the direction of rotation of the hopper. The ring has a plurality of radially spaced concentric rows of bottle-receiving pockets which pass below the bottles. Each pocket in the ring removes a bottle from the randomly distributed bottles and carries the bottle up to a position where each concentric row of bottles is dropped bottom first into a plurality of radially spaced chutes, positioned below and separated from the hopper by the rotating ring, from which chutes the bottles in one row are fed to alternate compartments of a bottle stabilizing ring with the bottles from the radially adjacent compartment being dropped and inserted into the alternate spaces between the bottles on the stabilizing ring.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring a pair of side-by-side cartons from one processing station to another, and accompanying device(s) for detecting any jam-up during the transfer, should one occur for any reason. One embodiment includes a photoelectric unit, a vacuum sensor, and a strobe signal for timing and detecting the presence of both signals to shut down the machine if either signal is abnormal. Another embodiment includes a second strobe signal for use as a back-up for the first strobe, or in lieu thereof, for timing and detecting the photoelectric signal only.

Abstract: A conveyor system for positioning slices of meat or other foodstuffs by converting M input streams of products into N output streams of products where M is an integer greater than one and N is an integer not equal to M comprises an input conveyor (15, 55) for conveying M input streams and an output conveyor (16, 58) for conveying N output streams. It also includes a multi-element strip conveyor (17, 18, 56, 57) having its upstream input end arranged to receive products (P) from an input stream and having its downstream end arranged to move laterally to deposit products from the input stream into an output stream shifted laterally with respect to the input stream. The conveying elements (37, 41, 67) of the multi-element strip conveyor (17, 18, 56, 57) are arranged to conform as its downstream end moves laterally.

Abstract: An object, such as a bobbin, is gripped at a location other than its center of gravity and lifted so as to rotate by gravity to a desired orientation. A carriage moves the bobbin toward a conveyor path and tilts the conveyor path into position to receive the bobbin. The bobbin is positioned on the conveyor path in the desired orientation while the conveyor path is in the receiving position.

Abstract: Plural article transfer mechanisms are operated in timed sequence by an electronic control synchronized to a main drive shaft. Each article transfer mechanism transfers articles from a dead plate to a moving conveyor. An extensible-retractable pusher arm engages, moves and releases the articles between 90.degree. positions under control of a fluid motor mounted on a turntable. Operation of the fluid motor is based on rotary alignment of a pair of turntable ports with a pair of fluid supply channels in a turntable drive body. The turntable is stepped in rotary increments between 90.degree. positions by an electric stepping motor. The angular speed profile of the pusher arm between the 90.degree. positions is governed by a programmed electronic control, including a PROM, which drives the stepping motor. An adjustable finger clip assembly is snap-fitted on the pusher arm and provided with a handle for ease of replacement.

Abstract: An automated baking station for the transportation and sequencing of dough pieces from a forming station to an oven which comprises a series of conveyor belts and a sequencing hopper in order to automatically sequence and stagger multiple dough pieces produced in parallel at the forming station for alternate staggered dough pieces for feeding into the oven.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for conveying steel bar materials sent from the exit of a stand of 2 strand rolling line to a cooling hearth, in which improved conveying and dropping of the bar materials is accomplished. Four conveying/dropping components are arranged in two pairs, which are disposed at determined positions, so that the bar materials may avoid being bent or twisted during conveying and dropping, and the treating speed of the rolling line is accelerated.

Abstract: A process for continuously forming a product having elongated members at least about one foot long which are oriented, compressed and bonded is provided, the process comprising depositing elongated members on a moving carrier with an orientation that is substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the carrier, the members being deposited on the carrier over a length of carrier that is at least as long as about one and one-half times the length of the elongated members and is at least as long as about 30 times the final thickness of the compressed, composite product.

Abstract: In an apparatus for introducing a belt-shaped material to a cutting machine, stationary conveyors are laid vertically in such a manner as to form different angles with respect to the cutting machine and combined respectively, with lift conveyors which are also laid vertically to convey belt shaped materials to the cutting machine. The lift conveyors are moved vertically by lifting means unit a desired one of the lift conveyors comes to the belt-shaped material introducing position of the cutting machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying rows of stacked frusto-conical cups to a feeding assembly of a cup printing apparatus includes a rotatable, hollow, crossed turret comprised of an outer turret section formed by four radially and equiangularly oriented connected tubes, and a central tubular section positioned centrally within the outer turret section, the crossed turret supplying a first row of stacked cups to the feeding assembly and automatically supplying a subsequent row of stacked cups in stacked relation on the first row after a level of the first row has decreased to a lower predetermined level and before a last cup of the first row has been supplied on a respective mandrel assembly of the cup printing apparatus; a rotary actuator which rotates the central tubular section; a motor driven assembly which rotates the outer turret section; a first sensor which senses when the level of the first row has decreased to the lower predetermined level to actuate the motor driven assembly to cause the outer turret section a

Abstract: Articles are supplied to a conveyor by feeding primary articles from a primary supply, seriatim, to a conveyor. The conveyor is driven at a first speed consistent with the supply of primary articles so that primary articles are uniformly spaced on said conveyor. The presence of a predetermined number of supplemental articles in a supplemental supply is detected, and used to increase the speed of the conveyor to produce space on the conveyor sufficient to receive the predetermined number of supplemental articles. The predetermined number of supplemental articles are fed, seriatim, to the conveyor such that the supplemental articles are uniformly spaced on the conveyor with the same spacing that the primary articles on the conveyor.