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: A method and apparatus are provided for positioning sheets of material on a belt feeder for transporting the material through a cutter toward a tire-processing apparatus. The material has a front-edge portion which is centered by using edge-position control, and side portions which are centered by using center-position control. Also, the material, as cut, will have a rear-edge portion, the centering position of which is controlled by edge-position control.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting surgical needles includes a needle holding apparatus having a movable jaw structure. The jaw structure is releasably biased in a closed position for holding needles in a predetermined position. The jaw structure may include laterally movable first and second sections for rotating a needle therebetween.The needle holding apparatus may be removably positionable on a work surface such that the needle holding apparatus may interface with a needle loading apparatus. The needle loading apparatus provides accommodating means capable of containing a multiplicity of needles. A needle advancing structure, such as a movable track, advances the needles in a predetermined fashion from the accommodating means. The needle advancing structure positions needles such that said jaw structure of the holding apparatus can selectively grasp the needles and transport the needle to another location.

Abstract: Roller conveyor to arrive at the pinch-roll or other downstream usage device for feeding strip or wide flat products (13) in a hot strip rolling train, the roller conveyor comprising a plurality of parallel and substantially horizontal cylindrical rollers (14) having their axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of feed of the strip (13), the roller conveyor cooperating with at least one transversely movable guiding sidewall (17) having an inner surface cooperating with a lateral edge of the strip (13), at least each of the rollers (14) positioned immediately upstream of the downstream usage device consisting of two coaxial half-rollers, which are respectively a first half-roller (14a) and second half-roller (14b), at least the first half-roller (14a) being associated with the at least one guiding sidewall (17), the half-rollers (14a, 14b) being associated with independent respective motors (15a, 15b) governed by a control and actuation unit (16) which actuates the motors (15a, 15b) at least momentarily a

Abstract: A conveyor system incorporating conveyors operating in conjunction for conveying, arranging, positioning and placing boards for feeding boards in an end to end arrangement to a processing station. The system includes a descrambler for feeding boards sequentially in a crosswise orientation onto a lug type conveyor. The lugs of the lug type conveyor conveys the boards through a scanner where the boards are scanned and the data input to a computer. A speed up conveyor cooperates with the lug conveyor to advance the board against a preceding lug of the lug conveyor which restrains the board. A board turner is provided to turn the board over if required. The speed up conveyor conveys the board onto a positioning conveyor and advances the board against a lug which retains the board in a determined position. Positioning pins advance the board onto a longitudinal conveyor which conveys the boards along their longitudinal length.

Abstract: A centering mechanism having two centering sections, each including a supporting frame extending in a generally parallel spaced-apart relation to the frame of the other centering section, first and second centering columns rotatably mounted in the frame, and a centering arm provided at an end of each centering column remote from the frame, first and second drive wheels for driving the first and second centering columns, respectively, and a flexible member trained about the first and second drive wheels to drive them in opposite directions, movement of the flexible member in a first direction driving the ends of the centering arms remote from the centering columns toward each other and movement of the flexible member in a second and opposite direction driving the ends of the centering arms remote from the centering columns away from each other.

Abstract: A crosspush conveyor moves cans laterally of a can conveyor into cartons that are also moving at the same speed as the can conveyor. The crosspush conveyor is mounted on a pair of sprockets that support roller chains to form two straight lengths, with the lengths being positioned at an angle relative to the direction of movement of the can conveyor. A plurality of paddles or pushers are mounted onto the chain conveyor and are pivotally mounted so that they can pivot away from a working position as they move through a selected portion of their path of travel. The paddles are supported in a working position on guide rails to hold the pusher members so that they will move cans laterally of the can conveyor on one side of the conveyor. The crosspush conveyor operates without a separate control cam for holding the crosspush members in position throughout the travel of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting surgical needles includes a needle holding apparatus having a movable jaw structure. The jaw structure is releasably biased in a closed position for holding needles in a predetermined position. The jaw structure may include laterally movable first and second sections for rotating a needle therebetween. The needle holding apparatus may be removably positionable on a work surface such that the needle holding apparatus may interface with a needle loading apparatus. The needle loading apparatus provides accommodating means capable of containing a multiplicity of needles. A needle advancing structure, such as a movable track, advances the needles in a predetermined fashion from the accommodating means. The needle advancing structure positions needles such that said jaw structure of the holding apparatus can selectively grasp the needles and transport the needle to another location.

Abstract: The invention is a device which takes over articles from a main conveying line by which a plurality of prongs supported by a rotary drum situated under a slide surface of the main line, upstream of a relative intermediate outlet way, and operated in a phase relation with articles proceeding along the main line, so as to raise the articles from the slide surface, and transfers the raised articles to an intermediate outlet way by pushers movable longitudinally over the main conveying line.

Abstract: Device to process green-tape type circuits, in which a green-tape foil (12) of alumina in the raw state or of another like or analogous material (green-tape foil) acts as a support for circuits (solar cells, etc.

Abstract: Containers such as bottles are conveyed on a conveyor belt in single file between parallel infeed guide rails above its laterally opposite edges to a transition region where the parallel guide rails become confluent with smoothly S-shaped transition side rails that diverge but ultimately become parallel in a container discharge region with the conveyor belt running centrally between them. A flexible and swingable diverter blade has one end fastened down stream of the transition region and has a slider on its other freely movable end. The slider is guided on a rod that extends across and above in the belt in the upstream transition region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically loading successive layers of similarly shaped objects, such as newspaper bundles and the like, into wheeled carts. The bundles are first delivered at a controlled rate from a source thereof to a device that arranges and delivers the objects in organized groups to an initial loading position. The organized group is then moved onto a carrier from the loading position. The carrier then moves from its loading position to a position within the wheeled cart. A blocking plate serves to prevent the objects from moving with the carrier as it move back to its initial loading position wherein the objects are deposited in the cart. The cart is held on a lift and is first moved to a top loading position for receiving the first layer of bundles and subsequently lowered the needed amount for receiving successive layers of bundles.

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: Successive or selected sheets of a series of exposed sheets of photosensitive material which are to enter a developing machine are shifted sideways through identical distances or through randomly selected distances so that each next-following sheet partially registers with one or more preceding sheets. The series can consist of a single row or of plural rows of exposed sheets. Such lateral staggering of the sheets ensures that the sheets contact each portion of each advancing roll in the developing machine so that the rolls cannot gather layers of impurities which could affect the quality of next-following sheets. The sheets of the series have identical formats.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning the ends of lumber pieces on a common register during conveyance of the lumber pieces. A lug type chain conveyor has wheel sets positioned between adjacent chains. The wheel sets have multiple freely rotating idler wheels positioned at an angle to the direction of conveyance of the conveyor. The periphery of the wheels extend above the chains a nominal distance. The lumber pieces, as they are being conveyed on the conveyor, engage the idler wheels of the wheel sets causing the idler wheels to rotate. The rotation of the idler wheels urge the lumber piece to move transverse to the travel direction of the conveyor to position the end of the lumber pieces in abutment with a register at the side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A device (24) for aligning with a feeding line (8) of a moving transfer conveyor (3) and for bending a round elongated dough piece (13) randomly placed on the moving transfer conveyor for transfer, comprising a pair of stoppers (26, 26) symmetrically arranged in a funnel-shape above the moving transfer conveyor (3) so that the dough piece (13) can be moved to a central position between the stoppers (26) and (26). The stoppers are rotatable to bend the dough piece (13) and movable to release it on the moving transfer conveyor.

Abstract: A base plate conveyor includes conveyance rollers for conveying a base plate to a prescribed position, and a base plate centering mechanism having right and left centerers for centering said base plate on said base plate conveyor. The conveyor further includes a device for moving the right and left centerer at a prescribed speed in a direction transverse to the direction of conveyance of the base plate. The moving device moves the centerers at the prescribed speed to such a position that the distance between the right and left centerers is slightly larger than a width of the base plate. The moving device thereafter moves the right and left centerers toward the base plate at a speed lower than the prescribed speed, such that the base plate is centered.

Abstract: A board to be coated is conveyed by means of first transport means in the form of a roller conveyor to a curtain coating device. The latter comprises second transport means in the form of two conveyor belts, each of which runs round an associated straightening bar in the direction of transport of the board. The straightening bars are movable and as they move towards one another they align the boards at the side edges thereof in such a manner that the side edges extend approximately parallel to the direction of transport of the board. Conical rollers are connected to the straightening bars. During alignment, that is to say, when the straightening bars are moved towards one another, the board to be coated is at the same time lifted from the roller conveyor by means of the conical rollers and conveyed via the surfaces of the conical rollers to the conveyor belts. The latter engage laterally at the board edges and transport the board through a pouring curtain for the purpose of coating.

Abstract: A multiple section conveyor for the positioning of loose items for manual loading or stacking is, in combination, a first, telescoping gravity fed conveyor connected with a second powered elevated and delivery conveyor, controlled by the arrival of objects at the end of the second powered conveyor. The combination is coupled to a mobile, powered elevating work platform, to provide cargo items to a work crew at a controlled rate and at a proper height for safest handling, over the range of motions and elevations of the work platform.

Abstract: A unit for compacting groups of flat products arranged side by side and on edge, whereby a through conveyor feeds the groups, with the products separated axially, into successive engagement with a compacting device having a number of pairs of compacting elements on either side of the conveyor; the compacting elements in each pair traveling with the conveyor, being positioned facing the opposite ends of a respective group, and being brought together for transversely moving the products in the group into contact with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for making elongated headed workpieces having a conveyor device for successively transporting elongated workpieces such as wire pieces transversely to their longitudinal axes from one treatment station into at least one treatment station and including a guided conveyor belt assembly to which the workpieces may be clamped by their circumferential surfaces. Two sections, running together and side by side, of two conveyor belts are guided in such a manner between the stations that they remain in immovable contact on both sides with the transported workpieces. At least one of the two conveyor belts is a toothed belt in which the gaps between the teeth take up the workpieces singly.

Abstract: A conveyor for unscrambling and discharging in single file articles received in random order and orientation from side-by-side sources, the conveyor having a plurality of rollers arranged in parallel relationship to each other, the central axes of the rollers being parallel and skewed to the side frame of the conveyor, a plurality of intermediate roller support frame members spaced from the side frame and extending lengthwise to the transport surface, aligned rollers on each side of each of the intermediate frame members being separate and independent from the rollers on the opposite side thereof, certain ones of the intermediate frame members being parallel to the side frame, the intermediate frame members dividing the article transport surface of the conveyor into a plurality of article transport zones with one of the transport zones at the article receiving end of the conveyor having a width which is a minor portion of the total width of the conveyor and means driving the rollers thereof at a higher periph

Abstract: A table for orthogonally sorting flat workpieces comprising a tray with freely rotatable carrier balls protruding from both surfaces of the tray, an arrangement engaging the balls to support the balls and to rotate them in either direction along a first line of motion, this arrangement being either a continuously moving belt or a plurality of parallel positioned rollers. The table also includes an arrangement for obtaining relative movement between the belt or parallel rollers and the tray to cause a rotation of the balls along a second line extending perpendicular to the first line.

Abstract: A conveying system includes a first continuous belt supported horizontally at two ends by a pair of rollers. A plurality of balls are mounted to the belt for rotation. A second conveyor belt is positioned within the space between the rollers defined by the upper and lower portions of the first belt such that the upper surface of the second belt contacts the balls of the first belt. As the two belts are rotated, articles may be conveyed by the first belt and rotation of the balls by the second belt causes the articles to move diagonally over the upper surface of the first belt whereupon they may be justified to one side or the other of the belt.

Abstract: A belt-like tire component member 8 is conveyed to a shaping drum 2 by a belt conveyor 1. There is provided a conveyor belt 6 having a reverse surface with at least one toothed portion 12 which protrudes from the reverse surface at a predetermined position in width thereof and endlessly extends along a longitudinal direction of the belt, a driving drum 4 which drives the conveyor belt 6 and has teeth 14 formed on the outer peripheral portion corresponding to the toothed portion 12 so as to mesh with the toothed portion, and a driving motor 7 which drives the driving drum 4 and controls its rotational speed. There is provided a plurality of air holes 11 on the conveyor belt 6, and an air chamber 9b which is disposed under the conveyor belt 6 so as to contact therewith and to communicate with the air holes 11. Air is supplied to and discharged from the air chamber 9b by a blower 24.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for selective lateral alignment of packages with laterally spaced apart right-hand or left-hand vertical planes includes a conveying surface made up of support members connected together in an endless web and a pair of diverting shoes mounted to each support member. A network of guide tracks guides the movement of one of each pair of guide shoes along either a non-diverted path or a diverted path to laterally divert packages. Diverted packages are aligned by the other of each pair of shoes guided by the guide tracks in a fixed path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring relatively thin, strip-like workpieces, such as metal leadframe strips to at least one processing or bonding station are proposed. The apparatus essentially comprises a transfer mechanism, a processing or bonding station, an electromotive drive, a first and a second group of electromagnetically, pneumatically or hydraulically operable clamping elements. The first group of the clamping elements is movable relative to the second group of clamping elements fixed to a main carrier of the transfer mechanism. In a first phase of the transfer and feed movement, the electromotive drive is controlled by means of reference geometry data given in dependence upon a particular leadframe and in a second phase of the feed movement by means of dynamic, opto-electronically measured reference data and pulses formed therefrom. The supply movement of the leadframe to the processing or bonding station takes place in a transfer direction (X') at an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: A suction table, especially for an exposure station of an apparatus for producing offset plates, and including an upper suction plate with a plurality of openings, which communicate with a suction means so as to firmly attract an offset plate placed on the suction plate during the exposure. The suction table includes furthermore a conveyor causing an offset plate placed on the suction tabe to move along the upper surface of the suction table, a guide member placed at the upper surface of the suction plate and including a guide surface, which forms an acute angle, preferably an angle of less than 45.degree., with the moving direction of the conveyor means, and an end stop for the front edge of the plate when seen in the moving direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of laterally conveying, systematically off-loading and sequentially transferring articles utilizing a coordinated movement of oscillating fingers with that of an indexing conveyor wherein the fingers are adjustably located to accommodate universal sizes and shapes of containers.

Abstract: A roller conveyor has an aligning device for glazing panes. The conveyor includes a plurality of aligned rollers forming a roller bed and driven for advancing glass panes in a conveying direction. The aligning device includes a rail disposed above the rollers and mounted such that it extends at a small horizontal angle to the conveying direction. The rail is disposed relative to the rollers such that an edge of a pane being conveyed on the rollers engages the rails so as to align the pane. The aligning device also includes a ring disposed in the roller bed downstream of the rail in the conveying direction. The ring has an external diameter larger than that of the rollers and is positioned relative to the rail such that the ring can engage a lower surface of a pane conveyed on the rollers at a position spaced from the center of gravity of the pane, and so rotate the pane.

Abstract: A sortation system includes a plurality of slats connected at opposite ends in spaced relation with each other to a pair of endless chains. The slats define a conveying surface moving longitudinally along a frame. A plurality of diverter shoes are provided. Each diverter shoe is movably mounted on one of the slats for lateral movement with respect to the conveying surface. Each slat is defined by a wall formed as a right cylinder including an outer surface having a planar upper portion defining the conveying surface, each diverter shoe having a support portion including a substantially continuous glide surface surrounding the wall, the glide surface having substantially the same configuration as the outer surface of the slat.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting stick confections from a row of mold cups of a stick confection molding machine and for transferring the extracted confections to a multi-lane wrapping machine having a number of lanes that is a submultiple of the number of mold cups in a row. The transfer apparatus includes a plurality of transfer bar assemblies which are moved from an extraction location above and parallel to a row of mold cups to a discharge location above and transverse to the lanes of the multi-lane wrapping machine. Each transfer bar assembly includes a number of gripper heads mounted on the transfer bar assembly for turning movement about individual turning axes transverse to the transfer bar and spaced apart therealong and a number of individual gripper units mounted on each head.

Abstract: An article conveyor and package aligner comprises a pair of guide members converging from an infeed station to an outfeed station, a conveyor for moving articles toward the outfeed station, and a pair of levers, one connected to each guide member, below the conveyor. The levers are cantilevered, each carrying a latching pin or roller and a notch cooperating with a similar pin and roller and notch on the other lever. The levers lie closely adjacent and cross each other so as to comprise an escapement mechanism which is in either an "at rest" condition, a locked condition or a released condition, depending on the position of a package traveling along the conveyor and the relation of that package to one or both of the guide members. A package contacting one guide member causes locking of the escapement mechanism and thereby of the guide member which is so contacted, forcing the package laterally until it contacts the other guide member.

Abstract: A simplified low cost, low wear, sheet registration and feeding system for laterally (side) registering a sheet without frictional drive slippage against the sheet and while maintaining feeding control in the primary forward feeding direction of the sheet. The sheet may be fed both forward and laterally (towards a side guide edge for side registration) utilizing only multiple sheet-engaging rotatable ellipsoidal rollers angularly mounted around the periphery of a fixed angle rotating hub member. The sheet-engaging rollers rotate with the hub member to so feed the sheet, but are also rotatable about their own, different, axes of rotation, which axes are parallel to the forward feeding direction of the sheet and the side guide to allow the sheet-engaging rollers to roll after side registration is achieved to prevent excessive lateral feeding force and undesirable slippage, smearing and/or wear.

Abstract: A machine (10) for loading product onto trays or the like is shown in the preferred embodiment including paddles (16) pivotally mounted to spaced, horizontally arranged chains (30) located above the conveyor (12). A cam track (46) arranged above the chains (30) is engaged by cam followers (48) mounted on the paddles (16). The chains (30) are mounted at an angle relative to the conveyor (12). The paddles (16) are moved by the chains (30) to move longitudinally at the same speed as the product on the conveyor (12) while being held parallel to the movement direction of the conveyor (12) by the followers (48) engaging the cam track (46) to thus simultaneously move laterally across the conveyor (12) to push product located intermediate lugs (14) on the conveyor (12).

Abstract: A goods handling apparatus for carrying in or carrying out goods with respect to storage facilities having multirow and multistage storing spaces. The apparatus includes a goods inlet apparatus or a goods outlet apparatus. The goods inlet apparatus or the goods outlet apparatus travels in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction along the storing spaces of the goods storage facilities, conveying the goods within a plane parallel to a travelling plane of the goods inlet or the goods outlet apparatus, and transferring the goods, in a consecutive manner, from the goods conveying step to the goods inlet step, or from the goods outlet step to the goods conveying step by absorbing a difference between a goods inlet height or a goods outlet height in the goods inlet step or the goods outlet step and a goods conveyance height in the goods conveying step.

Abstract: An automatic laminator for laminating film on a board includes a control unit, input and output roller tables, and a control cabinet. The control unit includes a tacking system, film supply rolls, takeup rolls, lamination rolls, a cutting system and a vacuum system. The control unit features holding the board stationary between the completion of the tacking operation and the beginning of the lamination operation and the starting the lamination at substantially the same position where the tacking has been effected, thus improving the efficiency of operation and enabling a reduction in the time, pressure, and temperature required for the successful performance of tacking. This together with a simple and effective cutting system involving a cutting blade that moves only a few millimeters and cuts the film "on the fly" enables an increase in the rate at which the boards may be laminated. Single side lamination of very thin boards is also made possible.

Abstract: The invention relates, in combination with a walking beam conveyor, to a width measuring and centering device for coils of rolled steel strip. The device interacts with the normal vertical raising, lowering and advancement of the coils, by the walking beam conveyor, wherein the device is traversed towards the coil when the coil is in a raised position to measure it width, after which the coil is lowered onto the device which then positions the coil on center, if necessary. After being centered the coil is lifted off the device by the walking beam conveyor and the device retracted after which the coil can be advanced by the conveyor.

Abstract: A dual vacuum belt transport system for compiling copy sheet sets in a compiling tray includes a first vacuum belt that picks up a copy sheet and moves it to a forward registration wall for front edge alignment, and releases it. A second vacuum belt then picks up the copy sheet and moves it to a side registration wall to complete the compiling sequence. Each vacuum belt is angled with respect to a vertical plane in order to drive each copy sheet into a corner formed by the intersection of the forward and side registration walls.

Abstract: A method for controlling the exact positioning of the items to be sorted in an automatic sorting plant, comprises a plurality of carriages or units, each provided with a revolving belt which moves in a direction orthogonal to the direction of feed of the unit in order to unload the carried item. The method uses a loading mechanism which comprises a plurality of revolving loading belts, arranged head to head and angled at 45.degree. with respect to the direction of feed of the units. The method according to the invention provides that, at the moment of loading, the unit belt is set in rotation and its speed is adjusted as a function of the speed of the item to be sorted, so that the loading takes place at a null relative total velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus for aligning glass sheets moving on a conveyor line prior to shaping on a bending apparatus includes a pair of stops for engaging the leading edge of the glass sheets and a pair of side pushers for engaging the end edges of the glass sheets to align the glass sheets with respect to a reference line. The spacing between the side pushers is automatically selected in accordance with the predetermined sequence of glass sheets. In addition, a sensor detects a mark on the sheets to generate a sequence signal identifying the sheets. The sequence signal is utilized to signal that a sheet is missing or an improper sequence, and/or the signal is utilized to control the means for automatically adjusting the spacing of the side pushers. The stop pins can be adjusted individually in a direction parallel to the reference line and a direction transverse to the reference line.

Abstract: In a device for advancing several workpieces placed side by side, a slide comprises several thin plates arranged alongside of one another. These thin plates are positionable against the workpiece end remote from a stop and are movable back and forth over a predetermined compensation distance parallel to the direction of advance of the workpieces. The compensation distance is longer than the greatest difference in length between the workpieces. The thin plates are prestressed by an energy accumulator which exerts a force which is larger than the force required for the advance of the workpieces. A first switch is arranged on the slide to switch off the slide drive as soon as one of the thin plates is displaced beyond the compensation distance in the direction opposite to the direction of advance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated handling of battery plate stacks is disclosed. The apparatus includes an endless drive unit having a plurality of upstanding pockets which open to receive the plates and to assemble a predetermined number of them side by side in a vertically arranged stack. The drive unit includes a single revolution clutch which permits the drive unit to move a predetermined amount and then stop each time it is signaled by a controller that the proper number of plates has been inserted into a particular pocket. Thus, movement of the drive unit is interrupted while the plates are being inserted into the pockets and commences again when the pockets are loaded. The stacks of plates then are blocked and centered as they move through the apparatus in their pockets.

Abstract: A pick and place machine having an electronic component feed device is described. The feed device feeds electronic components to various pick up locations with such high positional accuracy that alignment jaws on the pick up head are not necessary. Elevated tracks run parallel to a printed circuit board conveyor belt. These elevated tracks support an arm which in turn supports the electronic component pick up head. The feed device is positioned under the elevated tracks so that an operator can replenish the supply of electronic components in the feed device without reaching over the tract.

Abstract: A method for positioning articles to be processed by a machine is performed by apparatus comprising first and second article guide members which convergently extend into an article entryway along which articles are conveyed. The guide members are spring biased into an article positioning orientation across at least a portion of the entryway and maintained in that article positioning orientation by first and second levers extending beneath the article entryway and including an interlock. The interlock releases the article guide members only upon an article contacting both of the guide members. The interlock comprises a release slot and at least one locking notch extending from one side of one end of the slot on one lever and a pin for engaging the slot and locking notch on the other lever.

Abstract: A disk carrying bell cranks in circumferentially spaced relationship is located at the side of a supply conveyor opposite a discharge conveyor and the attitude of the bell cranks is controlled by cam followers carried by the bell cranks engaging a stationary cam for the purpose of moving bell crank arms to poke pieces moved in abutment by the supply conveyor onto the discharge conveyor for movement by it in uniformly spaced relationship.

Abstract: A spinning bobbin transporting device for a fine spinning winder of the type including a circulating closed loop along which a spinning bobbin spun on a fine spinning frame is erectly fitted on a carrier and is transported by means of a carrier transporting path to a winder. The fine spinning fram and the winder are connected to each other by inclined transporting paths to form the circulating closed loop.

Abstract: A material magazine for automatically feeding material such as long steel bars to a metal working machine including at least two parallel chain-conveyers, material guide rollers, a material arrival detecting means, and a material feed roller. The chain-conveyers are driven by a hydraulic motor which runs with a predetermined rotating force continuously produced when overloaded and have material push rollers with the axes vertically upward of the carrying faces of the chain-conveyers. The material push rollers are not only spaced in the direction of the conveyers but also arranged to form straiaght rows in the direction perpendicular to the conveyers, forming material holding spaces between them in the direction perpendicular to the conveyors. The material guide rollers are provided at or near one end of each of the conveyers with the axes kept vertical so that the material guide rollers may be arranged straight and parallel to the rows of the material push rollers.

Abstract: The apparatus for the lateral straightening of printing products on a conveyor has guide members in the form of endless toothed belts arranged on opposite sides of the conveyor which are given, by motor-driven pulleys, a movement in the same movement direction and with approximately the same feed speed of the conveyed material. At the same time, the pulleys move inwardly toward each other, converging at the width of the printed products.

Abstract: A method for positioning articled to be processed by a machine is performed by apparatus comprising first and second article guide members which convergently extend into an article entryway along which articles are conveyed. The guide members are spring biased into an article positioning orientation across at least a portion of the entryway and maintained in that article positioning orientation by first and second levers extending beneath the article entryway and including an interlock. The interlock releases the article guide members only upon an article contacting both of the guide members. The interlock comprises a release slot and at least one locking notch extending from one side of one end of the slot on one lever and a pin for engaging the slot and locking notch on the other lever.