Abstract: An apparatus for uniformly arranging solar cell elements that includes: a transport device for moving at least one solar cell element at a first speed; a transfer device that includes at least one gripping unit configured to grip the at least one solar cell element; and an actuator configured to move the transfer device at a second speed that is higher than the first speed.

Abstract: A rotary cup filler has a cup holder plate that permits cup holders to be retained in place by inserting them into open-ended receptacles from the side of the cup holder plate rather than being inserted into openings in the bottom cup holder plate from beneath. In one configuration, the cup holder plate has a central hub and plurality of arms that extend arcuately from the central hub to form the receptacles therebetween. The arms may engage opposed sides of a circumferential groove in the associated cup holder.

Abstract: A system for the detection of foreign object debris material on a surface of a composite part being manufactured. A platform is configured to move over the surface. A thermal excitation source is fixed to the platform and configured to direct infrared radiation across the surface. An infrared camera is also fixed to the platform and configured to scan the surface as the platform moves over the surface to detect and output a signal proportional to infrared radiation emitted by the surface and/or by any foreign object debris material on the surface in response to the infrared radiation from the excitation source. A controller is coupled to the excitation source and to the infrared camera and is configured to compare the signal from the infrared camera with a first predetermined threshold signal to detect if any foreign object debris material is located on the surface.

Abstract: A method and a device for supplying pouring elements arranged and aligned at a distance from each other and comprising a flange, wherein the pouring elements are each supplied directly strung together and are then separated. Acceleration of the first pouring element respectively may occur along a segment of a circle after brief stoppage of the following pouring element and transfer of the separated pouring elements to a further conveying path.

Abstract: An envelope feeder for a printer having two aligned conveyors moving at different speeds is disclosed. An upstream conveyor moves a backwards slanted procession of envelopes having aligned upper edges onto an inline downstream conveyor that accelerates the envelopes along a curved upper edge so that by the time any single envelope arrives at the printer ingestion or feed slot, the envelope is almost completely flat yet supported upwards slightly so that the pickup roller of the printer can easily and reliably ingest the envelope for processing. Due to the speed of the downstream conveyor, envelopes are continually and reliably presented to the printer to avoid printer stalls. The configuration reduces the amount of skill and operating labor required to establish a high-speed envelope feed source for high-speed printing.

Abstract: A method of transferring an article from a first drivable conveyor means to a second drivable conveyor means, the transfer of the article taking place during a synchronous phase in which the first and the second conveyor means have the same common speed as one another at any time. The method is characterized in that, during the synchronous phase, the common speed increases at least sectionwise and/or decreases at least sectionwise. A corresponding conveyor system operable for performing the method of transferring an article from a first drivable conveyor means to a second drivable conveyor means, as well as a packaging plant comprising such a conveyor system.

Abstract: A conveying system that corrects spacing inconsistencies between food products on transport conveyors. Sensor elements are used to determine the position of food products on a first conveyor. Displacement members then move the food products to a slower second conveyor and different locations to correct the position between the food products.

Abstract: Intelligent product feed systems and product transport methods are presented in which an array of variable speed transport modules is positioned between an input transport mechanism and an output mechanism, with the individual module speeds being controlled by a model-based planner to transport products delivered in an uncertain fashion by the input transport mechanism to the output mechanism synchronized and oriented according to a specified product configuration.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a roofing shingle apparatus and more particularly to an improved such apparatus for high speed shingle making generally when handling a double shingle line (one line overlaid on the other with the high side of each line on opposite sides to make a single mostly even thickness) in a more compact arrangement from the cutter to the stackers and catchers, but not limited to a slower single line of shingle making that uses a flipper at the discharge of the catcher shuttle and not limited to a four wide overlaid to four thicknesses of shingles in one line and scissor cut, not described in detail herein, before entering a single line delivery belt section.

Abstract: Feeder assembly for raw dough blanks (3, 3?), especially for dough blanks for pretzel production, which comprises a first conveyor belt (1) and at least one second conveyor belt (2) which are arranged sequentially one after the other, said raw dough blanks (3) being disposed on the first conveyor belt (1) at the beginning of the feeding process and being transferred from first conveyor belt (1) to second conveyor belt (2), with the speed of the at least one second conveyor belt (2) higher by a given amount that the speed of the first conveyor belt, whereby the raw dough blanks (3) are stretched and aligned in parallel with the direction of movement of second conveyor belt (2) when transferred from first conveyor belt (1) to second conveyor belt (2). (FIG.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for feeding containers (4) to a downstream processing unit (2), which receives the containers (4) with a distance (D) between them. At the input end (16) of the infeed worm (6) the containers (4) arrive bunch to bunch and at an exit end (26) of the infeed worm (6) they exhibit the required distance (D) between them. At least two conveyor belts (11, 12), drivable with a constant velocity, are arranged such with respect to the infeed worm (6) that the containers (4) are in contact with a groove (7) of the infeed worm (6). The first conveyor belt (11) at the input end (16) of the infeed worm (6) has a smaller velocity in the direction of transport (T) than the conveyor belt (12) at the exit end (26) of the infeed worm (6).

Abstract: A book block finishing machine includes a forming unit to receive a printed web and a sheeting unit downstream from the forming unit to receive the web and to separate the web into at least one plurality of sheets. The machine also includes a batcher unit that includes at least one hopper to receive and stack each plurality of sheets to form at least one book block. The batcher unit also includes at least one adhesive applicator. Each adhesive applicator is operable to apply adhesive to at least one edge of each book block to bind together the plurality of sheets forming each book block.

Abstract: A bread conveying apparatus comprises: a first discharge conveyer for conveying bread, the first discharge conveyer disposed along a conveying path on which the bread is conveyed; and a second discharge conveyer for conveying the bread, the first discharge conveyer disposed along the conveying path and having a common region that partially overlaps with a region on the conveying path where the first discharge conveyer runs, wherein the first discharge conveyer has a first flight for urging the bread, and the second discharge conveyer has a second flight for urging the bread, and wherein a conveying speed at which the bread is conveyed by the second discharge conveyer is different from a conveying speed at which the bread is conveyed by the first discharge conveyer.

Abstract: A method of replacing a continuous belt on a belt conveyor having a frame assembly includes providing a removable belt module with a removable belt module frame, the removable belt module frame having at one end a rotatably mounted drive pulley and having at an opposite end a rotatably mounted other pulley. The continuous belt is reeved around the drive pulley and the other pulley. The removable belt module is removed from at least one attachment surface of the frame assembly while the continuous belt remains under tension. A replacement removable belt module is then placed at the attachment surface. Optionally, the continuous belt has a low modulus characteristic, and the removable belt module may include at least one pivot arm for mounting at least one of the drive pulley and the other pulley to the removable belt module frame.

Abstract: A device for measuring the properties of moving objects includes a station (5) for measuring predetermined properties of an object (100) and a first conveyor (2) for transferring the object (100) towards the measuring station (5). The device (1) includes accelerator means (6) for accelerating the object (100), acting on the object and positioned upstream of the measuring station (5) and slowing means (7) for slowing or stopping the object (100), acting on the object and positioned at the measuring station (5). A method for measuring the properties of moving objects includes the steps of: transporting an object (100) along a first conveyor (2) having a predetermined feed speed (T1); accelerating the object (100) relative to the first conveyor (2) feed speed (T1) then slowing the object (100) relative to the first conveyor (2) feed speed (T1) at least at a station (5) for measuring predetermined properties of the object (100).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for feeding containers (4) to a downstream processing unit (2), which receives the containers (4) with a distance (D) between them. At the input end (16) of the infeed worm (6) the containers (4) arrive bunch to bunch and at an exit end (26) of the infeed worm (6) they exhibit the required distance (D) between them. At least two conveyor belts (11, 12), drivable with a constant velocity, are arranged such with respect to the infeed worm (6) that the containers (4) are in contact with a groove (7) of the infeed worm (6). The first conveyor belt (11) at the input end (16) of the infeed worm (6) has a smaller velocity in the direction of transport (T) than the conveyor belt (12) at the exit end (26) of the infeed worm (6).

Abstract: A belt conveyor includes at least one belt module defined by at least one drive pulley and at least one other pulley that is generally an idler pulley positioned between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor, and having a continuous belt routed around the drive pulley and the other pulley. The drive pulley is operable to drive the continuous belt around the pulleys to move articles along the zone assembly. The belt conveyor may incorporate features that allow for improved maintenance methods and reduced down time during service intervals. These features may include a removable belt module, at least one pulley mounted on at least one pivot arm, or a combination thereof. The belt may have a low modulus characteristic and may be initially stretched when the belt is reeved or routed around the pulleys and the pivot arms are moved into their operating position.

Abstract: The method of the invention comprises guiding the bottles (1) in an angled direction on the alignment table (13) between the inlet and the outlet thereof and simultaneously gradually accelerating the speed of said bottles (1) on a portion of said table (13) from said inlet in order to reach a speed higher that the nominal speed Vn. The method further comprises submitting the bottles (1) to at least two alternating closing-up and spacing operations in the downstream portion of the alignment table (13) before the discharge thereof in the form of a queue made by a transfer conveyor (14). The equipment for implementing the method particularly comprises: a group of bands including at least two pairs of bands (15.1, 15.2, and 15.3, 15.4 . . . ) operated within each pair at different speeds in order to carry out in an alternating manner from one pair to the other closing-up and spacing operations of the bottles (1) running on said bands (15as).

Abstract: A virtual lug loader includes a lug loader for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor, wherein the workpieces are transversely oriented relative to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors for conveying the workpieces downstream, wherein each pair of endless conveyors in the array include first and second endless conveyors. The first and second endless conveyors are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction. Each are aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array forms a continuous upper surface in the flow direction for supporting the workpieces translating downstream in the flow direction. Each pair of endless conveyors in the array overlap adjacent pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array include independently actuable first and second drives independently driving their corresponding first and second endless conveyors.

Abstract: A virtual lug loader includes a lug loader for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor, wherein the workpieces are transversely oriented relative to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors for conveying the workpieces downstream, wherein each pair of endless conveyors in the array include first and second endless conveyors. The first and second endless conveyors are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction. Each are aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array forms a continuous upper surface in the flow direction for supporting the workpieces translating downstream in the flow direction. Each pair of endless conveyors in the array overlap adjacent pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array include independently actuable first and second drives independently driving their corresponding first and second endless conveyors.

Abstract: A feeder for orienting and aligning disorderly incoming items includes a rotatable table having a peripheral wall and a discharge opening in the peripheral wall, the discharge opening allowing the items in a predetermined orientation to be successively withdrawn from the rotatable table in a single file line, the rotatable table being fed with disorderly items; a first carrier disposed proximate to the discharge opening, the first carrier recovering the oriented items exiting through the discharge opening; and an item spacer mounted proximate to the first carrier, the item spacer providing a predetermined spacing between two consecutive oriented items. It also relates to a method for doing same.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously grouping or marshalling objects together on a conveyor includes the conveyor being divided into a first and a second conveyor section, where the second conveyor section has a higher speed than the first conveyor section. The conveyor sections have a common plane on which the objects are advanced. The conveyor sections each have two bending rollers in the common plane, each of which have a bending roller lying closely adjacent one another. Between the rollers placed adjacent one another is disposed an arrest member. The arrest member is movable through 90 degrees in relation to the common plane. The arrest member is moreover, together with the bending rollers, displaceable along the common plane.

Abstract: An articles separating and supplying apparatus and method are provided by which, even in case of a size change of articles, articles of a predetermined number can be securely separated and supplied at a high speed. A transfer conveyor for transferring arrayed articles to be separated and supplied, and a separating conveyor, supported pivotably around a pivot, for receiving the articles from the transfer conveyor, are provided. A counter counts the number of articles transferred by the transfer conveyor. Upon the counter counting the predetermined number of the articles, a first stopper stops feeding-in of the articles transferred by the transfer conveyor. A second stopper is arranged to stop, at a front position of the articles of the predetermined number on the separating conveyor, feeding-out of the articles from the separating conveyor. The second stopper comprises an endless belt from which engaging members project. A stop position of the engaging members is changeable by movement of the endless belt.

Abstract: A device for separating an imbricated formation (2) of continuously conveyed printing products (1) into a succession of spaced printing products (1), comprises a first conveyor (3) driven at a first velocity (v1), a second conveyor (4) arranged after the first conveyor (3) and driven at a second velocity (v2) which is higher in relation to the first velocity, and a de-imbricating device (5, 6) for accelerating the leading printing product (1) of the imbricated formation (2) to the second velocity (v2) and for maintaining the imbricated arrangement of the following printing products (1) being conveyed in the imbricated formation (2) at the first velocity (v1). The de-imbricating device comprises two suction belt conveyors (5, 6), the first suction belt conveyor (5) driven at the first velocity (v1), that the second suction belt conveyor (6) is driven at the second velocity (v2).

Abstract: An apparatus for processing packaging blanks includes an applying device, a first conveyor, and a second conveyor. The first conveyor conveys the blanks at a first velocity arranged to permit the application of an adhesive to the blanks by means of the device. The second conveyor is arranged to receive the blanks from the first conveyor and convey them at a second velocity which is greater than the first velocity resulting in a change in the pitch of the stream of blanks conveyed by the conveyors. Alternatively the applying means may apply an adhering element such as a coupon or hologram such that it adheres to the blank. The adhering element may adhere to the blank by virtue of an adhesive carried on a rear surface of the element or by means of an adhesive carried by the blank.

Abstract: An assembly for conveying packets of cigarettes has a first and a second conveyor, which extend side by side along a given portion and are operated at a first and second speed respectively; and a transfer device, which has a deflecting member for transferring the packets of cigarettes from the first to the second conveyor along the given portion, and which is movable along the given portion.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. Transferring devices transport the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes. The receiving and application operations may be performed at matched or mismatched surface speeds. The parts to be received and applied may be formed by a rotating knife, which may vary in speed. Adhesive may be used to hold the parts on the carrier web. In some embodiments, the transferring devices transfer the parts to a bonding anvil roll and the parts and a carrier web are compressed between the bonding anvil roll and a bonding pattern roll to bond the parts to the carrier web.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a material web traveling at a first speed in a receiving zone, forming discrete parts from the material web, and applying the discrete parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The apparatus has a cutting device for severing the material web to form the discrete parts. At least two shells for receiving the discrete parts in the receiving zone and applying the discrete parts in the application zone are used. The shells may be coupled to programmable motors for moving said shell in an orbital path. A roll may be positioned interior to said shells. The cutting device may be used to sever the material web between said shells and against said roll. The roll may be a vacuum roll that provides vacuum in order to hold the discrete parts against said shells.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a material web traveling at a first speed in a receiving zone, forming discrete parts from the material web, and applying the discrete parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The apparatus has a cutting device for severing the material web to form the discrete parts. At least two shells for receiving the discrete parts in the receiving zone and applying the discrete parts in the application zone are used. The shells may be coupled to programmable motors for moving said shell in an orbital path. A roll may be positioned interior to said shells. The cutting device may be used to sever the material web between said shells and against said roll. The roll may be a vacuum roll that provides vacuum in order to hold the discrete parts against said shells.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts to a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The method and apparatus utilizes transferring devices for transporting the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the position of flexible flat objects, in particular printed products, as they are advanced on a first conveyor in an overlapping stream, and which includes a position changing device positioned above the first conveyor and which comprises a displacement member which is moved along a movement path by means of a drive. The movement path includes one section which extends rectilinearly and in the conveying direction and the displacement member is driven at a speed which corresponds at least approximately to the conveying speed of a second conveyor toward which the displacement member conveys the objects. The second conveyor delivers the objects to a discharge conveyor which is provided with transport clamps which are delivered individually to a fitting point where they receive an object from the second conveyor.

Abstract: A device for conveying packages includes a conveyor with a running surface ending with a terminal area, a series of stationary stops and vertical prongs under the stops and above the running surface. The prongs move along a path which follows a circular trajectory in the terminal area. Packages are introduced between two heat-sealing vertical belts in an inlet area. The inlet area of the vertical belts is situated at a distance from the terminal area of the conveyor. A forwarding belt, coplanar with the running surface of the conveyor, is situated between the inlet area and the terminal area of the conveyor. The forwarding belt is operated with a speed higher than the operation speed of the conveyor, so that the packages are not subjected to the prongs action when they rotate upward in the terminal area. The forwarding belt extends from the terminal area of the conveyor, to at least the inlet area of the vertical belts, and the stops protrude to cover the major part of the forwarding belt.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts onto a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. Transferring devices transport the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes. The receiving and application operations may be performed at matched or mismatched surface speeds. The parts to be received and applied may be formed by a rotating knife, which may vary in speed. Adhesive may be used to hold the parts on the carrier web. In some embodiments, the transferring devices transfer the parts to a bonding anvil roll and the parts and a carrier web are compressed between the bonding anvil roll and a bonding pattern roll to bond the parts to the carrier web.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving parts traveling at a first speed through a receiving zone and applying the parts to a carrier traveling at a second speed through an application zone. The method and apparatus utilizes transferring devices for transporting the parts between the zones. The transferring devices are coupled to programmable servo motors capable of varying the speed of the transferring devices to accommodate the receiving and application processes.

Abstract: A paint spraying apparatus for coating an article with paint, enamel, lacquer or the like, includes a conveyor unit having an endless conveyor belt, trained over at least two drums, for transporting an article to be coated past a sprayer unit. Operatively connected to the conveyor unit is at least one cleaning unit for wiping a surface of the conveyor belt clean. The cleaning unit includes an endless wiping belt which extends obliquely relative to the conveyor belt and is so operated as to revolve at a higher speed than the conveyor belt when contacting the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A description is given of a device for separating from each other a plurality of objects (R) which are adjacent to each other and are being fed in a direction of advance (F) along an advance path (21), comprising a member (37) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (37A) and is positioned, with respect to the direction of advance, in such a way that it interferes with the articles (R) fed along said advance path. The peripheral velocity of said rotatable member at the point of contact between said member and said articles has a component substantially matching the direction of advance of the articles along said path.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus which can simplify, expedite and enhance the segregation of undesirable particles from desirable particles in a multiple-layer flow wherein the desirable and undesirable particles are randomly intermixed with each other. This is accomplished by a stepwise reduction of the thickness of the flow to thus locate all or nearly all undesirable particles at or close to the exposed sides of the resulting relatively thin flow so that the undesirable particles can be readily detected and segregated from the thin flow.

Abstract: The apparatus has a first conveyor 10 and a second conveyor 16 mounted immediately downstream thereof. Arranged above the first conveyor 10 is a position changing device 50, whose displacement elements 68 are intended to strike the trailing edge 22′ of fed objects 22 and to feed them to the second conveyor at the correct phase angle. Arranged at the end of the first conveyor 10 is a restraining device 34, whose restraining element 46 projects into the movement path of the leading edges 22′ of the objects 22 and in each case is briefly withdrawn from this restraining position into a release position outside the movement path of the leading edges 22′ when a displacement element 68 is moving an object 22 past it into the delivery nip 30. The restraining device 34 prevents too many objects arriving being fed to the second conveyor 16 out of synchronism.

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

Abstract: A method and device for feeding blanks on a packing machine, whereby a conveyor feeds along a horizontal path a succession of blanks positioned perpendicular to the path; the path terminating at a pickup station having a stop surface defined by a frame, which has a withdrawal opening closed partly by fixed teeth and is moved in a direction substantially parallel to the path by the thrust exerted by the blanks and in opposition to a sensor for regulating a traveling speed of the conveyor to keep the thrust exerted by the blanks on the frame constant.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a variety of fast and slow operations including mounting operations upon workpieces affixed to workpiece carriers in which the slow operations are carried out at one station and the fast operations are carried out at another. The linear transfer device of the fast station operates at a stroke rate which is greater by a whole number than the stroke rate at the slow operation station, the workpiece carriers are fed in groups equal to this whole number to the slow operation units simultaneously and the slow operation units perform the same slow operation at each of a number of these units equal to that whole number.

Abstract: In a drive system for a mail processing machine a comparatively simple and clear design of the driving tracks and of the bearings for the respective shafts is obtained by feeding drive energy from a common drive motor to a bevel gear drive and a step gear drive. Thereby, the output shafts of the bevel gear drive and the step gear drive have identical sense of rotation because of the sense of rotation reversal within the respective gear drive. The bevel gear drive, at its output, provides a continuous rotation, and the step gear drive provides an intermittent rotation. From the output shafts of the bevel gear drive and of the step gear drive, respectively, driving connections can be led to the driving shafts for a continuously moved conveyor chain for documents and to an intermittently moved conveyor chain for documents, respectively.