Abstract: Described is a component (1) for powering robots, automation systems and the like which comprises, on a frame (2), a series of belts (3, 4) for conveying objects (9) designed to be gripped by a robot. The conveyor belts (3, 4) constitute a closed path and have a first belt (3) and at least a second belt (4) positioned in such a way that the objects (9) pass from the first belt (3) to the second belt (4) cyclically and continuously.

Abstract: System for transporting items to a packaging station comprising at least a first, a second and a third conveyor, said first conveyor configured for transporting arrangements of one or more items in a first transport direction to the third conveyor, said second conveyor configured for transporting arrangements of one or more items in a second transport direction to the third conveyor, said third conveyor configured for transporting said arrangements from the first and the second conveyor in a third transport direction, a fourth and a fifth transport direction towards a packaging station.

Abstract: A conveying system, such as a conveying system for material including non-ferrous metals, includes a conveying belt and a stabilizer. The conveying belt includes a conveying surface and is adapted to convey the material on the conveying surface. The stabilizer is configured to apply a stabilizing force onto the material on the conveyor belt such that the material is stabilized while being conveyed. A method of stabilizing material on a conveyor belt includes receiving the material on the conveying surface of the conveyor belt, conveying the material at a conveying speed with the conveyor belt, and applying the stabilizing force onto the material with a stabilizer such that vertical displacement of at least some of the material is dampened and/or minimized at the conveying speed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting recyclable items and other materials are provided. In one embodiment, a system for sorting objects comprises: at least one imaging sensor; a controller comprising a processor and memory storage, wherein the controller receives image data captured by the image sensor; and at least one pusher device coupled to the controller, wherein the at least one pusher device is configured to receive an actuation signal from the controller. The processor is configured to detect objects travelling on a conveyor device and recognize at least one target item traveling on a conveyor device by processing the image data and to determine an expected time when the at least one target item will be located within a diversion path of the pusher device. The controller selectively generates the actuation signal based on whether a sensed object detected in the image data comprise the at least one target item.

Abstract: An automated method and system for transporting vials from multiple upstream locations to a downstream location and for combining N number of conveyor lanes from N number of upstream location (e.g., capping stations) down to one conveyor lane. The system is adapted to transport vials from a more-distant upstream location faster than vials from a closer upstream location so that they reach the downstream location at approximately the same time. Guide members placed at an angle to the traveling axis of the conveyor lanes divert the vials onto a single conveyor lane for transporting the vials to a downstream location.

Abstract: An apparatus for diverting a stream of articles that includes an input conveyor belt conveying a stream of articles in a direction of travel and at an input speed and an output conveyor belt operating at an output speed and disposed parallel with the input conveyor belt in the same direction of travel. A diverter element extending along the input conveyor belt and is moveable between the direction of travel and an opposite direction wherein the diverter element operates in one of two modes of operation depending upon the input speed and the output speed.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a guide device (1A) with a wedge sliding surface for bulk conveyors, said guide device being removably fixed to the head end of a lateral or central guide (4A) of a bulk conveyor; wherein said sliding surface is at least partially defined by a plurality of rolling bodies (5), which are idly mounted to a plurality of shafts defining axes of rotation substantially and/or generally parallel to one another and orthogonal to said axis of extension.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for, in a conveying direction T during conveyance, continuously distributing a flow or products, for instance eggs, comprising: —a distributing assembly with at least two feed channels extending in a conveying direction T for each forming a single row of products, wherein at least edge elements compose the edges of these channels over a well-defined distribution length and wherein these edge elements are provided above and adjacent a conveying surface at the downstream end of a feed conveyor, and —a control for monitoring and controlling the distribution of the products over the channels, wherein, based on monitoring signals and control signals, from the downstream end of the channels, only two products are transferred simultaneously to the conveyor, wherein the control, based on the monitoring signals and control signals, increases or reduces the speed of the conveyor according to a continuous adjustment.

Abstract: A conveyor machine is provided. In another aspect, a singulator conveyor employs three-dimensionally obliquely skewed driven rollers angularly offset from a primary feeding and downstream direction, outboard of an adjacent driven conveyor having a top surface moving in the primary feeding and downstream direction. A further aspect provides a downstream moving conveyor belt or rollers which are vertically higher than the adjacent outboard skewed and converging driven rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjusting device for use on a conveyor for transporting packages in a transport direction, comprising at least one transport element forming a transport surface for the packages and further comprising functional elements that can be adjusted in an axial direction transversely with respect to the transport direction, having at least one spindle assembly with at least two spindles, the axes of which are oriented parallel to each other and transversely with respect to the transport direction, having at least two dividing or adjusting elements, each of which engages in a threaded spindle by means of a threaded hole.

Abstract: A conveyor system to singulate and sort bulk articles. The system comprises a first counter-current conveyor belt with a first machine direction, a second counter-current conveyor belt with a second machine direction and a transverse width, a first guide means, and a second guide means. The first counter-current conveyor belt slopes upward in the first machine direction relative to the second conveyor belt. The second counter-current conveyor belt slopes downward in a transverse direction away from the first conveyor belt. The first guide means urges articles conveyed on the first conveyor belt onto the second conveyor belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for product changeover in a filling plant and to a bugger system for carrying out the method. A first product is passed through a primary buffer and then a second product is initially buffer-stored in a secondary buffer, and so a clear separation of the products is achieved and a product changeover can be carried out in upstream and downstream production machines without production coming to a standstill.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an object repositioning system configured for use in association with a conveyor includes opposed gates positioned over the conveyor and oriented in an initial partially-closed position in which the gates define an opening through which objects conveyed by the conveyor can pass that is narrower than a width of the conveyor, a locking mechanism configured to lock the gates in the initial partially-closed position, and an actuation mechanism configured to release the locking mechanism to enable the gates to pivot when an object conveyed by the conveyor contacts both of the gates at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveying system for conveying intended upright articles, for example vials, comprising an in-feed conveyor, an out-feed conveyor, and a single liner system placed between said in-feed conveyor and out-feed conveyor, wherein said single liner system comprising a series of co-planar conveyor belts, wherein said belts are placed side by side for defining a conveying surface and wherein said belts are movable in substantially the same driving direction at different velocities; a track guide placed above said conveying surface for guiding said articles from said in-feed conveyor to said out-feed conveyor along a guide direction, wherein said guide direction is arranged at an acute angle with respect to said driving direction; wherein said velocity of subsequent belts of said series of co-planar conveyor belts increases in the guide direction.

Abstract: A preform feeder system, particularly for feeding blow machines with receptacles such as bottles, of the type including, from upstream to downstream in the longitudinal direction of travel of the preforms, at least one sorting and alignment device whose top end is provided with preforms in a jumble and whose bottom end includes at least two alignment rollers, substantially parallel and rotated about their respective axis, that are designed to position the preforms in feeding rails, inclined relative to the horizontal, to convey them to a machine, and of the type including at least one ejection wheel that is arranged above the preforms and rotated about an axis which extends generally transversely, characterized in that the ejection wheel is arranged downstream of the alignment rollers so as to eject the incorrectly positioned preforms from the feeding rails.

Abstract: Disclosed is a molded article conveyance apparatus (MACA) configured to convey a plurality of molded articles away a molding machine. The MACA includes a collection of row-dedicated queuing conveyors, wherein each row-dedicated queuing conveyor is configured to convey a portion of the plurality of molded articles away from the molding machine. The MACA also includes a sequential shunting conveyor configured to selectively move from one row-dedicated conveyor to another. The sequential shunting conveyor is also configured to receive and convey molded articles away from successively selected row-dedicated queuing conveyors.

Abstract: The apparatus serves to distribute a random stream of items into several lanes in which the items are transported individually one after the other. The apparatus has a transport device for the items, wherein the transport device has one or more driven conveyor belts and side rails as well as a lane divider. The lane divider has at least one movable divider which divides the stream of transported items. A middle divider can project against the direction of transport and side dividers can be set back staggered. In an embodiment, the lane divider has a frame to which the dividers are attached. The apparatus also has a device for driving the lane divider, so that the at least one divider carries out a back-and-forth movement in the direction of transport and/or transversely to it.

Abstract: A baggage positioner having a horizontal conveyor, a position sensor, a pair of positioning arms with bi-directional vertical belts and a positioning arm controller. Other sensors can be added to provide additional data for enhanced effectiveness. The vertical belts can also be equipped with variable speed drives for enhanced effectiveness.

Abstract: Readily bendable rolling conveyor guides are provided. The guides include axle-positioning members having notches. The axle-positioning members slidably engage channels of a structural support member. A plurality of axles carrying rotatable elements and spacers are disposed between the axle-positioning members. Due to the notches in the axle-positioning members and the unique cross-section of the exterior of the channels, the assembled guides may be bent at small radii without causing distortion of the channels or interference between the axle-positioning members and the channels.

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: A non-horizontal conveyor for feeding objects has a conveyor belt, a first pulley at a first end forming a loading area of the conveyor, and a second pulley at a second end forming a feeding area of the conveyor. The conveyor also has a conveyor cover having an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part extends from the second pulley towards the first pulley, thereby covering a substantial part of the conveyor and preventing the objects from falling out of the conveyor during transport. The lower part is resiliently attached to the upper part adjacently to the first pulley, thereby preventing a plurality of objects from aggregating in the loading area at the first pulley. Furthermore, the conveyor cover has two symmetrical members rotationally attached to its lower part.

Abstract: In order to provide an apparatus for separating flat parceled goods, comprising a driver device with at least one driver surface, which is driven such that the parceled goods can be carried along in a transporting direction by the at least one driver surface, and also comprising a separating device with at least one separating surface for the parceled goods, the separating surface being directed toward the at least one driver surface, which apparatus carries out a separating operation with a high degree of reliability, it is proposed that the separating device is driven such that the at least one separating surface moves, upon contact with a parceled goods article, in the opposite direction to the transporting direction.

Abstract: A conveying unit for transferring a mass of cigarettes includes a feed channel equipped with a conveyor by which cigarettes are made to flow along a given path and in a given direction toward the mouth of a hopper that forms part of a user unit. One section of the feed channel presents a movable wall consisting of an articulated mechanism having two rigid restraints, one rectilinear and one arched, connected together pivotably by a hinge; the end of the arched restraint is connected to a fixed hinge, while the end of the rectilinear restraint is connected to a movable hinge rigidly associated with a guided slide device capable of movement along the direction of the advancing flow of cigarettes, in response to variations in the rate of flow along the channel. As the movable end is displaced, the movable wall shifts between two limit positions corresponding respectively to a maximum and a minimum capacity of the section of the feed channel occupied by the wall.

Abstract: An automated machine for loading nuclear reactor fuel, BP, or APSR pellets from small trays having rows of pellets into reactor rods of long length wherein the pellets are individually counted and loaded into rows of a loading tray according to the desired number of pellets per row and total number of pellets per tray with the loading tray controls being moved to a que tray where they may be weighted and there from to an unloading tray for sequential row loading into the reactor rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of conveyors for containers of plastic, for example PET, with protruding neck rings. In particular, the apparatus (1) comprises a supporting structure (4) that mounts a track (5) which supports the containers by their neck rings (3). The apparatus further comprises means for propelling the containers along the feed path and means for detecting jammed containers along the feed path. At least one pusher (7) is mounted on the supporting structure (4) to act on the containers when a jam is detected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modular wall system for accumulation stations for conveying lines for products having a plurality of first and second components so that each of the first components have a face defined by a plurality of rollers, each one of the first components being structured and arranged so that it is attachable to another first component in end to end abutment and also attachable to another first component in face to face abutment. Each of the second components is selectively attachable to a first component.

Abstract: A conveying unit for transferring a mass of cigarettes includes a feed channel equipped with a conveyor by which cigarettes are made to flow along a given path and in a given direction toward the mouth of a hopper that forms part of a user unit. One section of the feed channel presents a movable wall consisting of an articulated mechanism having two rigid restraints, one rectilinear and one arched, connected together pivotably by a hinge; the end of the arched restraint is connected to a fixed hinge, whilst the end of the rectilinear restraint is connected to a movable hinge rigidly associated with a guided slide device capable of movement along the direction of the advancing flow of cigarettes, in response to variations in the rate of flow along the channel. As the movable end is displaced, the movable wall shifts between two limit positions corresponding respectively to a maximum and a minimum capacity of the section of the feed channel occupied by the wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying chip parts comprises a chip part supplying apparatus whereby electronic parts in a chip form accumulated at random directions are being supplied in an orderly line and a chip part feeding means which works to transfer the forefront one of the aligned chip parts onto a circuit component such as a printed circuit board is being disclosed here. Chip parts housed at random directions in a hopper are taken into a discharge channel being organized to a prescribed direction and transferred through said discharge channel before being discharged through its bottom end onto a conveying belt before being carried by said belt toward a prescribed direction. A clearance is forcefully caused between the forefront chip part and the next chip part at the stage just before the forefront chip part is picked up, said clearance occurring between the two chip parts working to separate the two chip parts completely.

Abstract: An unscrambling and aligning conveyor comprises a plurality of tapered rollers attached to a pair of side supports. The tapered rollers are driven at a single speed and tapered to a minimum diameter to define an alignment region. The tapered rollers create a lateral speed decrease toward the alignment region of the conveyor, causing separation and rotation of the articles, and thereby enabling the articles to be singulated in the alignment region. The tapered rollers are supported by the side supports such that center axis of each roller is horizontal to thereby defining a downwardly sloping article transport surface which increases movement of the articles towards the alignment region. The unscrambling and aligning conveyor is driven at a speed greater than the input conveyor located adjacently upstream thereof to provide articles with a gap therebetween so that articles moving along the unscrambling and aligning conveyor are properly singulated.

Abstract: In a process for separating wires of a wire bundle the latter is delivered onto feed plane (3) which is sloped in feed direction (3) so that it or the wires move under the action of gravity onto guide element (6) with a control gap. The control gap has a gap width corresponding to the wire diameter and is made to hold the separated wires in the form of a single wire layer. Before the wire bundle can reach the control gap, it is handled using several handling elements (8.1, 8.2, 9.1, 9.2, 10.1, 10.2) located next to one another. They have a strike edge parallel to the feed plane and a scraping edge pointed against the wire bundle, and they execute a striking motion which is such that in the first cycle segment the strike edge, proceeding from the starting point, is guided opposite feed direction (5) over the single wire layer just formed and in a second cycle segment the strike edge is raised from the wire layer in order to be returned to the starting point. Handling elements (10.1, 10.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the inspection, conveying, and optionally temporary storage of uniform packaged goods is described. The apparatus includes a singulating device which takes dual stacked goods and reduces the dual stack to a single line of goods, inspects the goods, returns the goods to a dual stack, and transports them to a cartoner. A preferred embodiment contains a temporary buffer for storage of the goods to compensate for manufacturing speed changes, supply/demand fluctuations, or excessive rejects.

Abstract: This invention pertains to removing a row or layer of material from a supporting surface, with the row or layer advancing on a removal conveyor in a line abreast, and converting the row or layer into a line, advancing single file. Apparatus and methods are disclosed. Each unit of material is moved in turn, longitudinally out of its line abreast, and into sole occupation of a discrete length of the converting conveyor assembly. The units so moved longitudinally are moved, as necessary, transversely across the accelerating conveyor and into an alignment zone, and are then assembled into a line advancing single file.

Abstract: The invention provides both a vacuum combiner and vacuum conveyor for combining a plurality of lightweight containers arranged in a random order and width into a single row of containers, and moving the containers on a conveyor line to downstream workstations at high speed rates. The vacuum combiner includes one or more conveyor belt-type surfaces, while the vacuum conveyor has a single belt-type surface, all of which have openings defined therein. Both devices also have at least two guide rail assemblies, and a vacuum source that adds a "drag" or "weighing" force on the light-weight containers moved thereon. The conveyor belt-type surfaces of the combiner and the conveyor may or may not be moving at the same velocity. The guide rail assemblies are each comprised of a plurality of rods and rollers, wherein the rollers are aligned in a unique anti-jamming staggered or diamond pattern.

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 apparatus for agitating filters in a feed hopper from which the filters are fed pneumatically to a filter attaching machine. The hopper drive apparatus includes an independent drive and speed reducer mechanism that drives the filter agitators as long as the filter attaching machine receives filters. The agitation system uses a stand alone independent drive system that uses a timing belt to drive the agitators. This agitation system provides a means for operating with fragile, segmented charcoal filters in that the filters are permitted to move up and down more freely than with conventional agitation devices, allowing more room for incoming filters from the receiver and reducing damage to the filters and jamming of the filters in the transfer system.

Abstract: The invention provides a transport apparatus, or combiner, for transporting light-weight containers at high speed rates. The combiner includes one or more conveyor belt-type surfaces that have openings thereupon, a guide rail assembly, and a vacuum source that adds a "drag" or "weighting" force on the light-weight containers. The conveyor belt-type surfaces may or may not be moving at the same velocity. The guide rail assembly is comprised of rods and rollers, wherein the rollers are aligned in a unique anti-jamming staggered or diamond pattern. The guide rail assembly can be positioned such that it is substantially upright, or the guide rail assembly can be positioned such that it is sloped over the conveyor surfaces. The rods within the guide rail assembly may be substantially vertical, or they may be pitched forward. One vacuum source may be used for the plurality of conveyor surfaces, or one vacuum source may be used for each individual conveyor.

Abstract: A stacked rubber tire separation-transport apparatus equipped with a low-speed discharge conveyor at the bottom of a rubber tire stack hopper with a discharge end section formed on a downward inclined discharge surface and with high-speed separation rollers in the vicinity of both sides of the discharge end section for contact with at least some of the tires.

Abstract: An article accumulator utilized between a product infeed line and a discharge conveyer feeds articles from the infeed to the discharge conveyer in a single, continuous line. The accumulator includes a wide horizontal moving conveyer belt that accumulates articles in the event of a backup at the discharge end. A slow moving flexible guide belt located just above the conveyer belt and angled toward the discharge conveyer engages the sides of the articles and helps to move them toward the discharge conveyer. In the event that a substantial number of articles accumulate on the accumulator conveyer belt, these articles push sideways on the guide belt forcing it rearwardly behind a guide rail that runs along the length of the guide belt. The articles then engage the guide rail and are less influenced by the movement of the guide belt. This arrangement helps to ensure that the articles that are first placed on the conveyer belt tend to be the first articles to be discharged.

Abstract: A system for sorting randomly oriented objects of various sizes based upon the size of the object includes a transport for conveying a series of objects from an input location to one of a plurality of output locations. An image system is disposed along the transport for capturing the image of each object to be sorted. An image processor detects the minimum and maximum linear dimension of each object based upon the captured image. The image processor further determines the shape of each object based upon the captured image. The minimum or maximum linear dimension is selected based upon the shape of the object. The object is categorized by size based upon the selected minimum or maximum dimension. Structure is provided for selectively routing the object based upon the categorized object size to one of the plurality of output locations.

Abstract: A device to facilitate the feeding of a supply of parts from the flat central area of powered feeders to a predetermined exit point at the perimeter of the feeder. The device is comprised of the distribution cone and retaining means placed on and in the powered feed table. The cone is fixed in a off-center position in the feed table by means of a shaft attached to the cone that rides in a adjustable bearing block where it is free to rotate but not move laterally. The bearing block is mounted on a stationary support that comprises a tube and/or a rod with fixed end plates that mount permanently on the base of a powered feed table. The rod of one support is fitted into the tube of the other support thereby allowing the use of the assembly on various width and diameters of feed tables. When the cone is fixed in the proper position, parts that are carried on the feed table surface will be guided along the edge or over the cone to the perimeter of the feed table and from there to the exit.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a generally circular table having a fence about its periphery, and is provided with a conveyor for feeding quantities of container crowns onto the table. The table is rotated so that the container crowns are moved outwardly against the fence and fed centrifugally into a twist chute for receiving the crowns. The apparatus is provided with first and second curved channels coupled for conveying containers out of the twist chutes, the second curved channel merging together with the first channel at a point along their respective paths, with the path length of the first channel being substantially longer than that of the second channel between the twist tube, twist chute and the merging point. The apparatus includes the escapement assembly, the speed of which is controlled and is operated at the merging point for controlling the rate of movement of container crowns out of the first and second channels.

Abstract: Preforms 1 for the manufacture of synthetic bottles are transported along a conveyor track 10 formed by two parallel slide-rails 11 arranged such that a perpendicular common to the two slide-rails is substantially horizontal. The preforms have heads 2 larger than their bodies 5, and are vertically supported between the two slide-rails by their heads. The conveyor track embodies unbalancing mechanism 14 in the form of a raised and arcuate rail section 15 for tilting interlocked preforms 6.sub.1, 6.sub.2 such that their center of gravity G is shifted outside of one of the slide-rails 11, whereby they become unbalanced and fall off the slide-rails. An extractor 17 formed by a pair of counter-rotating, bladed wheels 18 may also be provided, for grasping and lifting off vertically oriented interlocked preforms.

Abstract: An infeed mechanism for delivering vials to be labeled to an infeed conveyor of a labeling machine and then to a timing screw of the labeling machine includes a vial separating screw having a vial exit end, a vial infeed belt for supporting and moving vials along a relatively wide path toward the vial separating screw and placing the vials in engagement with the vial separating screw. A pair of spaced vial guides define a relatively narrow vial path therebetween and aligned with the vial exit end of the vial separating screw which is rotated to deliver vials single file into the relatively narrow path between the vial guides and then onto the infeed conveyor of the labeling machine and on into engagement with the labeling machine timing screw.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided for producing a single file from a mass of articles comprising a conveyor surface, an article engager for engaging articles in the mass and transporting a single file of them off of the conveyor surface, and a guide rail mounted along the conveyor surface, the guide rail including a shifting portion for shifting articles toward the article engager, and a pressure relieving portion for relieving some of a back pressure on articles.

Abstract: A conveyor structure for a sidewall of a bottle combiner. The sidewall having a top plate, bottom plate, and end plate to which are mounted two sets of roller bars at 45 degree angles to the top, bottom and end plates and at 90 degree angles to each other. The first set of roller bars having a diameter greater than the second set of roller bars and having slots of a depth slightly greater than the diameter of the second set of roller bars. The surfaces of the first and second set of roller bars being in alignment where they contact the bottles moving down the bottle combiner so that a uniform surface is presented and there are no gaps between roller bars.

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: A guide wall for ordering apparatus for ordering a flow of randomly arranged cylindrical articles into a single file having a guide wall module composed of a plurality of rotators arranged for rotation on axles having ends extending beyond the rotator array and disposed in substantially vertical stands of superimposed rotators the module featuring a frame formed in a U-configuration having a base and facing sides extending outwardly from the base, the facing sides supporting the array therebetween at a point sufficiently far from the base to allow free rotation of the rotators; the facing sides having opposed facing longitudinal channels slidably receiving and retaining bearing mounts for supporting the axle ends of the array.

Abstract: A device for conveying piece goods to a transfer station is provided whereby the device has a drivable continuous conveyor belt with at least one endless guide belt that is provided parallel to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt. A guiding surface of each one of the respective guide belts is disposed perpendicularly to a conveying surface of the conveyor belt and is synchronously drivable relative to a conveying direction of the conveyor belt. Due to this embodiment, very sensitive piece goods may be conveyed without the piece goods sliding off the conveyor belt and without damaging the piece goods at the guide belts that provide the lateral limitation of the conveying belt. A relative movement between the piece goods and the lateral limitation is prevented.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided for producing a single file from a mass of articles comprising a conveyor surface, an article engager for engaging articles in the mass and transporting a single file of them off of the conveyor surface, and a guide rail mounted along the conveyor surface, the guide rail including a shifting portion for creating an accumulation of articles, a gap filling portion for filling gaps in the single file of articles, and a pressure relieving portion for relieving some of a back pressure on articles. The conveyor preferably also includes a fourth guide rail portion for spacing the first portion upstream from the third portion, or an oscillator for jostling articles, or a roller for rotating articles.

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.