Abstract: A row former of a conveying system is provided with a plurality of protrusions projecting from a side of a row forming arm that engage with portions of objects arranged in a row and pushed before the arm across a row forming table surface and prevent relative movement of the objects in the row.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying and applying a strip component (11) such as a tire tread is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the strip component on a belt conveyer (16), determining a guideline (52) of the strip component (11) at an exit end (20) of the belt conveyor (16), and laterally adjusting the exist end (20) of the belt conveyor (16) to align the guideline (52) of the strip component (11) with a predetermined guideline such as the guideline of a tire building drum (12). The apparatus includes a belt support transverse housing (76) which is laterally moveable by a motion controller (64) in response to a sensor (58) which detects the guideline (52) of the strip component (11). Guides on the transverse housing (76) move the belts of the conveyor (16) on slider plates without physically touching the conveyed strip component (11), thereby preventing damage to the component material.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring fruit products from a feeder conveyor to a receiving conveyor that is perpendicular thereto, the apparatus comprising a transfer device which comprises a supporting beam for a plurality of grip elements suitable to grip at least one row of equidistant products, means for moving the beam between a picking position, in which the elements grip at least one row of products at the output of the feeder conveyor, and a release position, in which the grip elements are aligned with the receiving conveyor, the beam, in the alignment position, being actuated with a motion that is equal to, and in step with, the receiving conveyor in order to allow to deposit onto the receiving conveyor, with zero relative speed, the row of picked products.

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: An article jogging apparatus for the lateral straightening of sheet material located on a conveyor includes a pair of vertically opposed timing belts. One belt being adjustable per product width as well as stream throat. The other belt oscillating between a reference and a thrown position to realign those articles of the stream that are out of alignment. The apparatus utilizes a uniquely assembled drive pulley and position system.

Abstract: A row former of a conveying system is provided with a plurality of protrusions projecting from a side of a row forming arm that engage with portions of objects arranged in a row and pushed before the arm across a row forming table surface and prevent relative movement of the objects in the row.

Abstract: A centering device for material conveyed on a conveyor system includes pusher elements disposed on both sides of the conveyor system such that they can be moved to and fro in the direction of the center line of the conveyor system, the pusher elements each including at least two stoppers which can be moved along parallel guide components oriented towards the center line, the stoppers being connected with one and the same endless traction element such that they are driven in the same direction, with the traction element being threaded to and fro around the guide components.

Abstract: An apparatus for repositioning a workpiece on a lugged conveyor, where the conveyor has lugs for carrying the workpiece spaced apart by a lug space in a downstream direction. The apparatus includes a sensor for detecting the position of the workpiece on the conveyor and relaying position information to a processor, at least one running element mountable in cooperation with the conveyor, a selectively actuable actuator cooperating with the processor for the selective actuation of the running element.

Abstract: A layboy machine for conveying and selectively varying the lateral spacing between sheets such as sheets of corrugated board. The machine is provided with controlled tugs which automatically, precisely and quickly reposition the conveyors in the machine for different sizes of outputs from a cutter in a corrugator line and different numbers of sheets in each output.

Abstract: A centering device for material (76,78) conveyed on conveyor systems comprises pusher elements (48,50) disposed on both sides of the conveyor system such that they can be moved to and fro in the direction of the center line of the conveyor system. The pusher elements (48,50) each comprise at least two stoppers (48,50) which can be moved along parallel guide components (22,24) oriented towards center line (18), said stoppers being connected with one and the same endless traction element (30) such that they are driven in the same direction, with said traction element being threaded to and fro around guide components (22,24).

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: An apparatus for positioning lumber pieces for end trimming, by means of a succession of gates mounted on traveling chains set at a converging angle with the even end line of uniformly spaced lumber pieces carried transversely on parallel chains towards a multiple saw trimmer. The positioning is accomplished by any one gate pushing against the end of a lumber piece and then retracting when the lumber piece has reached the appropriate position for cutting by stationary trimming saws. The positioning process and the saw selection for each cut are scanner/computer controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product collator for unscrambling scrambled products received at an input point, such as a hopper, and for delivering the unscrambled products to an output point, such as a transfer conveyor. The collator includes an endless conveyor belt made up of a plurality of laterally extending flights. The conveyor belt includes a first, generally upwardly and forwardly extending path and a second, generally rearwardly extending path positioned below the upwardly and forwardly extending path.

Abstract: Rotationally symmetrical containers (10) are transported under backup pressure on a conveying surface (12) limited laterally by railings (14). For rotating the containers (10) at a predetermined site along the conveying surface (12), one of two consecutive containers (10) is arranged stable against one railing (14) and the other stable against the other railing (14) in the direction of conveyance after the site at which the containers are to rotate.

Abstract: A board positioning device selectively positions in a lateral direction in a generally horizontal plane a board translating in a longitudinal direction in the horizontal plane, wherein the board is aligned along its length in the lateral direction. The device includes a stepped fence, which may be selectively positionable, lying generally in the horizontal plane. A fence positioner cylinder may selectively position the stepped fence in the lateral direction in the horizontal plane so as to position one step of a plurality of steps on the fence to correspond to a desired transition path so as to position the end of the board at a board optimizing position as determined by an optimizer, whereby the board may be laterally, selectively positioned into an optimized position relative to trimmer saws located downstream from the stepped fence in the longitudinal direction when the board is urged laterally against the stepped fence by ending rolls.

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: Rotationally symmetrical containers (10) are transported under backup pressure on a conveying surface (12) limited laterally by railings (14). For rotating the containers (10) at a predetermined site along the conveying surface (12), one of two consecutive containers (10) is arranged stable against one railing (14) and the other stable against the other railing (14) in the direction of conveyance after the site at which the containers are to rotate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product collator for unscrambling scrambled products received at an input point, such as a hopper, and for delivering the unscrambled products to an output point, such as a transfer conveyor. The collator includes an endless conveyor belt made up of a plurality of laterally extending flights. The conveyor belt includes a first, generally upwardly and forwardly extending path and a second, generally rearwardly extending path positioned below the upwardly and forwardly extending path.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product collator for unscrambling scrambled products received at an input point, such as a hopper, and for delivering the unscrambled products to an output point, such as a transfer conveyor. The collator includes an endless conveyor belt made up of a plurality of laterally extending flights. The conveyor belt includes a first, generally upwardly and forwardly extending path and a second, generally rearwardly extending path positioned below the upwardly and forwardly extending path.

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: A printed-board conveying apparatus including a first belt conveyor including first stationary and movable guide rails and two first belts which are circulated while being guided by the two first guide rails, respectively, and which support opposite end portions of a first printed board, respectively, and cooperate with each other to convey the first printed board, and a second belt conveyor which is arranged in parallel with the first belt conveyor and which includes second stationary and movable guide rails and two second belts which are circulated while being guided by the two second guide rails, respectively, and which support opposite end portions of a second printed board, respectively, and cooperate with each other to convey the second printed board. The first and second stationary and movable guide rails extend parallel to one another such that the first and second stationary guide rails are provided outside the first and second movable guide rails, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lumber positioning or feeding systems to be used in saw mills, planing mills and the like in order to laterally displace lumber as it is being simultaneously advanced in the forward direction. In particular, the present invention is concerned with a lumber positioner apparatus for advancing lumber, which positioner comprises a vertically displaceable angling mechanism which may be selectively activated to cause lumber to be simultaneously displaced in a lateral direction, resulting in a vectorized movement of the lumber in order that the position of the lumber may be quickly and accurately controlled for further processing, such as cutting or trimming.

Abstract: Envelopes in a vertical orientation are delivered in sequence to an envelope bundling table from a sheet insertion table where sheets are inserted into envelopes. A stationary vertical wall forms a part of the envelope bundling table and the respective short ends of envelopes of a preselected bundle of envelopes successively abut it when discharged onto that table. A movably mounted vertical wall has a first deployed configuration where it is disposed parallel to the first vertical wall, between the sheet insertion table and the stationary vertical wall. When so deployed, the envelopes of a preselected bundle successively abut it and therefore do not reach the first vertical wall. Those envelopes are therefore laterally offset from envelopes of a different bundle that abut the first vertical wall. The movable vertical wall has a retracted position so that envelopes delivered to the envelope bundling table abut the first vertical wall when the second vertical wall is retracted.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating and controlling the flow of articles between conveyors includes a first conveyor moving in a first direction and a second conveyor onto which the articles from the first conveyor are to be transferred. The second conveyor moves generally in the same direction and parallel to the first conveyor along a portion thereof defining a transfer point. A guide device defines an inlet on the first conveyor at the transfer point. The guide device is oriented so as to extend across and move articles from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. The guide device defines the tortuous path that changes directions at least three times, for example, by three opposite radii of curvatures, such that the articles that are in direct end to end contact on the first conveyor are separated by the guide device.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a dough sheet is provided. It has a centering apparatus for aligning the center of a dough sheet that is being fed with the center of the transporting apparatus. The centering apparatus includes a supporting member to support the dough sheet, sensors located at the supporting member to sense the side edges of the dough sheet, and an apparatus for shifting the dough sheet right or left relative to the transporting direction based on the results of the detection by the sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming arrays of containers supplied by a feeder belt. Receiver supports are provided for receiving the containers, which are integral with associated support elements. The support elements displaced from a receiving zone to a zone for releasing the rows of containers by means of associated actuating devices.

Abstract: A conveyor system for retaining an empty box thereon includes a conveyor assembly slidably adjustable on a frame. The conveyor assembly includes a set of rollers rotationally mounted on a support rail attached to the conveyor assembly. A corresponding set of rollers are rotationally mounted to another support rail parallel and spaced apart from the first support rail and fixedly attached to the frame. The rotational axis of each of the rollers is angled forward in the direction of operative travel of the conveyor belt and box. In operation, the angled rollers snugly engage the box and urge the box against the conveyor belt when the box is translated thereby. The distance between the two sets of rollers is adjusted by sliding adjustment of the conveyor assembly with respect to the frame, thus providing for expedited set up of the conveyor system to handle boxes of different widths.

Abstract: An apparatus for advancing articles in a selected, approximately horizontal conveying direction, includes a plurality of side-by-side disposed table elements each having an upper, approximately horizontal article-supporting surface. The article-supporting surfaces together form an approximately horizontal conveying table. A first drive oscillates each table element parallel to its article-supporting surface in a motion having two motion components oriented in perpendicular, horizontal directions and a second drive vertically oscillates each table element. A first synchronizing arrangement synchronizes the horizontal oscillations in the direction of the two motion components and a second synchronizing arrangement synchronizes the vertical oscillations with the horizontal oscillations.

Abstract: A mechanism for reorienting an article moving along a conveyor assembly. Articles such as video cassette containers, compact disc containers, or audio cassettes, enter an article reorientation mechanism on their face surface. The face surface of each article is supported by a conveyor belt of a primary conveyor assembly. The primary conveyor assembly moves the article from an upstream location toward a downstream location. A guide assembly forces the article toward a lateral edge of the conveyor belt of the primary conveyor assembly. A transfer conveyor assembly extends upwardly at an angle from the lateral edge of the primary conveyor assembly to receive the article as it is pushed off the primary conveyor assembly by the guide assembly. A twist guide plate is positioned downstream from the transfer conveyor assembly for receiving the article from the transfer conveyor assembly and tipping the article upright onto its side surface.

Abstract: The board positioning device of the present invention is for optimally longitudinally positioning a board for trimming. The board is translated from an upstream position to a downstream position in a first direction towards the trimming saws. The board translates at a translation speed on a board translating device such as a lugged transfer chain. The board while translating in the first direction, is aligned longitudinally, that is, along its length, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction so as to position the board relative to the saws. The board is urged by board ending means, such as ending rolls, in the second direction against a corresponding board positioning member, such as a shaft mounted paddle, on the board positioning device. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second directions lie in a generally horizontal plane.

Abstract: A conveyor which includes one or more pocket assemblies which are adapted to be transported in a closed path. The assembly includes a pocket having two walls which are hinged to each other. In the closed position, the walls retain the product (newspaper) between them and, in their open position, they are spaced apart and can receive the product inserted therein. There is a pair of aligners mounted on the pocket which move from a retracted position to a forward position. If the product is misaligned in either direction transverse to the path of the pocket, one of the other of the aligners will contact the nearest edge of the product and push it into a central position in the pocket.

Abstract: A sheet feeder for feeding mails includes a mounting table having a slanted top surface for mounting thereon a plurality of sheets in a substantially upright posture thereof, a transfer belt for transferring the sheets in the slanted posture in the direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the sheets, and a take-out section for taking out the sheets in the horizontal direction parallel to the surfaces of the sheets. A mail having an envelope and a belt wrapper covering the envelope can be taken out as it is, without pulling-off of the belt wrapper from the envelope.

Abstract: Rotationally symmetrical containers (10) are transported under backup pressure on a conveying surface (12) limited laterally by railings (14). For rotating the containers (10) at a predetermined site along the conveying surface (12), one of two consecutive containers (10) is arranged stable against one railing (14) and the other stable against the other railing (14) in the direction of conveyance after the site at which the containers are to rotate.

Abstract: An omni-directional treadmill providing a surface with no gaps on which a user can move. The treadmill is generated by arranging a set of looped belts (1, 2, 10), each providing at least one elongated surface, abutting one another along the elongate edges provided by the elongate surface. A group of these elongate surfaces defines the treadmill surface. This set of belts (1, 2, 10) is itself arranged in a loop. Movement of the whole set of belts around this loop moves the treadmill surface in one direction. Simultaneous rotation of all the belts (1, 2, 10) providing the surface provides movement perpendicular to the first direction. Using these two components of motion the treadmill can move in any direction indefinetly. Feedback from user can be used to move the treadmill in the opposite direction to keep user in the same place, in the same way a treadmill maintains user moving in one direction in the same place.

Abstract: A machine and method is disclosed for stacking product, including but not limited to, cardboard, magazines, newspapers, newspaper supplements, flyers, press signatures, and softcover books. The stacking machine includes an infeed assembly for receiving a product stream or flow. The infeed assembly includes a belt jogger assembly for aligning product as it enters the machine. A transport assembly delivers product from the infeed assembly to a stacking assembly. The stacking assembly includes an interrupter that creates a gap in the product stream and assists in accumulating a single lift of product on a separator. The separator delivers a single lift of product to one of a pair of elevators, which deliver a first application of compression to the lift. After the first compression, the lift is transferred to a compression apparatus where a second round of compression is applied in the process of forming a final stack.

Abstract: A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing the plates.

Abstract: A component supply apparatus includes a rectangular cross-sectional component passage which can house a plurality of chip components in a longitudinal direction, and at a first side surface of the tip of this component passage a rectangular-shaped component discharge opening is formed, and at a second side surface opposing the first side surface of the tip of the component passage a rectangular-shaped pusher insertion opening is formed. Inserting the pusher into the component passage through the pusher insertion opening enables a forefront electronic component to be pushed by the pusher and be discharged outside from the component discharge opening in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: The spacing between the neighboring ends of successive pairs of coaxial plain cigarettes of unit length is changed during sidewise transport by two endless belt conveyors which diverge or converge relative to the direction of advancement of the pairs of cigarettes, namely at right angles to the common longitudinal axes of the pairs of cigarettes. If the spacing is to be increased, for example to provide room for filter plugs of double unit length in a filter tipping machine, the extent of axial movement of the cigarettes of each pair can be limited by lateral conveyors which flank, and are driven at the same speed as and at right angles to the axes of, the pairs of cigarettes approaching the station where the cigarettes are removed from the conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembly of fence panels from a plurality of longitudinal backing rails and a plurality of transverse pickets includes a conveyor for supporting and moving the rails in a direction along their length with the rails at spaced transversely positions across the conveyor and a plurality of rail dispensing hoppers, each for receiving a stack of the backing rails and arranged to dispense the rails one at a time onto the conveyor in parallel spaced relation along the conveyor. A picket dispensing hopper dispenses pickets one at a time onto the aligned rails so that the pickets are positioned at right angles to the rails and side by side. Ends of the pickets are aligned on the rails. The pickets are compressed in a direction at right angles to the rails onto the rails and parallel to the rails and at right angles to the pickets so as to squeeze the pickets edge to edge. A nailing assembly applies nails to connect the pickets to the rails.

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: A transportation method of individual objects and a means for sorting each object into a receiver is disclosed. In accordance with the method, each object is individually picked from a conveyor and delivered to a selected collecting cassette, the objects being centered on the conveyor before being transferred to a pick-up device. The individual objects are delivered to the cassette with the pick-up device which turns 90 degrees and which tilts toward the selected cassette to deliver the object.The apparatus for handling of the individual objects includes a conveyor, a pick-up device mounted to a conveyor belt intended to pick-up and move the individual objects, and a device for centering each object before transference to the pick-up device. The pick-up device is turnable by 90 degrees in each direction, and is tiltable in the direction of the object.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for a woody strand cement board, in which a woody group material and cement are combined to form a construction material. The construction material is fire resistant and has a strength comparable to a lumbered raw wood product. The apparatus includes means for finely splitting a fibrous woody material such as wood, bamboo, and reed in a direction parallel to the fiber of the material to obtain pieces of finely split material; a molding frame; and feeders, such as a forming conveyor and swing conveyor, for feeding the pieces to the molding frame to form first and second layers. Mortar is poured on the first and second layers, and pressure is applied to mold and solidify the layers to a semi-hardened state. Two feeders may provide the first and second layers in cross-wise directions.

Abstract: A workpiece positioning device for translating elongate workpieces conveyed on a first workpiece conveyor in a conveyance direction and for positioning the elongate workpieces on an adjacent second workpiece conveyor, wherein the elongate workpieces are generally laterally aligned across the first workpiece conveyor, generally perpendicular to the conveyance direction, has a selectively actuable rotatable member extending between the first and second workpiece conveyors, rotatable so as to translate workpiece engaging means, coordinated by coordinating means, into engagement with an elongate workpiece at a workpiece engaging position on the first workpiece conveyor generally at an end of the first workpiece conveyor adjacent the second workpiece conveyor, and to translate the workpiece engaging means and the elongate workpiece so engaged from the first workpiece conveyor to the second workpiece conveyor so as to position the elongate workpiece on the second workpiece conveyor.

Abstract: A positioning conveyor is incorporated in a conveyor system for adjusting the position of a sheet on the conveyor system. The positioning conveyor has two belt type conveyor sections that are independently movable transverse to the feed path and are utilized to adjust the position of the sheet. The sheet is scanned by a scanner and the data is input to a computer. A vacuum zone on each section provides spaced apart gripping points to establish a pivot axis to correct for skew. The computer controls the coordinated movement of the sections to pivot and side shift the sheet to a desired position.

Abstract: Container diverter apparatus and method for displacement of selected containers on a conveyer for such purposes as rejection, sorting and the like. In accordance with the invention, a servo controlled actuator is positioned adjacent to the stream of containers on the conveyer, so as to be able to push selected containers to a different position across the width of the conveyer. The servo controlled actuator is controlled by a commanded position waveform, which may be tailored to the containers being deflected and which may be readily changed for different containers by use of a look-up table. Detection of the precise initial position of each container on the conveyer allows initial servoing of the actuator to a predetermined distance from the container prior to initiation of the ejection waveform, resulting in fast and precise displacement of selected containers in a highly reliable and very repeatable manner. Various embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning sheets of material moving along a path of travel with respect to a reference line or center line or reference point is shown. A lifter and conveyor will lift a sheet of material traveling in a plane of movement along a path of travel above said plane of movement and move it laterally of said path of travel into contact with an alignment plate, the alignment plate places the sheet of material in a pre-alignment position, the lifter and conveyor lowers, redepositing the sheet of material in the plane of travel, and the alignment plate moves the sheet of material into a final alignment position.

Abstract: In a board positioning device for longitudinally positioning a board translating in a first direction at a translation speed on a board translating device, wherein the board translating in the first direction is aligned along its length in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the board is urged by board ending rolls in the second direction against a board positioning member on the board positioning device, wherein the first and second directions lie in a generally horizontal plane, the board positioning device includes (a) a selectively actuable guide member cooperating with the board positioning member for selectively actuably guiding and positioning in the second direction the board positioning member, and (b) a board positioning member translating apparatus for translating the board positioning member in the first direction at the translation speed in cooperative alignment with the board, wherein the board is urged against the board positioning member by the board ending rolls and th

Abstract: An apparatus for sequenced or simultaneous feeding of a plurality of flitches to a board edger includes a sequencing conveyor for sequenced feeding of flitches in a horizontal first direction, the flitches oriented in a horizontal second direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, the flitches fed sequentially into first or second adjacent parallel holding locations, a selectively actuable transfer device for selective transfer of a first fitch in the first direction from either of the first or second adjacent parallel holding locations onto a first edger feeder, and a second edger feeder parallel and adjacent to the first edger feeder, the first and second parallel adjacent edger feeders for selective sequential or simultaneous feeding into an edger according to a feed controller for (i) controlling the sequential or simultaneous feeding of the first flitch on the first edger feeder, and (ii) controlling the sequential or simultaneous feeding of a second flitch transferred from the first or se

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting paper rolls to a pickup point (8) of a crane of a crane-assisted storage area and for transferring a roll from the storage area from the pickup point (8). An upright-oriented roll is centered by a centering conveyor (5) at a point different from the pickup point (8) of the crane and the centered roll is then moved precisely to the pickup point (8). A two-part conveyor comprising the centering conveyor (5) and a delivering conveyor (9) are rotatable about a center axis so that the centering part (5) and the delivering conveyor (9) can alternatingly be aligned with the pickup point (8).

Abstract: In a packaging line adapted to feed articles into a packer and including lane guides defining lanes for columns of articles fed under line pressure to the packer, the lane guides are provided with an offset portion adapted to create a back pressure for reducing the line pressure at the packer. The offset portion provides sufficient resistance to the flow of articles so that the articles entering the packer are more readily accommodated, particularly articles of the type which are compressed by excessive line pressures and tend to upset the operation of the packer as a result of excessive or varying line pressure. The reduced line pressure permits operation of standard packing equipment for the handling of relatively soft and compressable cylindrical plastic bottles.