Abstract: An infuser comprises movable screen means, which is preferably a continuous mesh belt (1) passing around rollers (2). Infusible solid and infusing liquid are deposited onto the screen means (1) and means (5) below the screen collect the infusion. A piezo electric sandwich transducer (9) is provided for imparting ultrasonic vibrations to the screen to cause vibration of the screen means to aid cleaning thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides an endless rotary band cleaning device comprising an endless cleaning band mounted on three rollers disposed parallel to each other, namely: a drive roller, a guide roller and a secondary roller disposed in the space between the other two rollers. These rollers are arranged so that the lower part of the band follows a sinuous path comprising an upgoing path in which the band is washed and a downgoing path after which the band is impregnated with cleaning liquid. The upper part of the band situated between the drive roller and the guide roller serves as cleaning area.

Abstract: A chain conveyor for a miner in which the chain adjacent the drive sprocket is guided and supported by channels in a casting such that tension in the chain is reacted by the casting and separated from the driving force applied to the chain by the drive sprocket. The casting may be spring loaded away from the idler sprocket at the other end of the conveyor. The pitch of the sprocket teeth is preferably less than the pitch of the chain, allowing for drive sprocket build up from entrained fines.

Abstract: Conveyor apparatus for conveying oil well drill cuttings comprises an elongated two-level structural conveyor support that includes first and second elongated self-supporting structural sections, each section including an upper V-shaped conveyor surface, a lower flat return surface, and side walls, providing an enclosure that prevents spillage. A motor-driven drive roller is carried by one of the self-supporting structural sections while an idler roller spaced from the drive roller is carried by the second structural section. An endless conveyor belt is mounted upon and between the two spaced-apart rollers. The drive roller includes a plurality of radially spaced channels for removing slurried well cuttings, oil, drilling mud and like fluid from the contact area between the drive roller and the belt. Frictional contact between the roller and the belt is thus insured.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting articles to or from a clean room or from one place to another within a clean room. The conveyor has housings extending along either side of the path of conveyor travel. Extending between the housings are conveying members, usually metal rods, elongated perpendicularly to the path of conveyor travel. Each housing is slotted so that the ends of the conveying members may extend therethrough. Within each housing are rollers journaled to the ends of the conveying members and a track. The track receives and guides the rollers. Extending along and in air communication with each housing is a plenum, and between each housing and its plenum is an air restriction sheet that restricts the flow of air. The conveyor also includes a blower for drawing a partial vacuum within each plenum thus drawing a lesser vacuum in the housing. Each housing, plenum, air restriction sheet, and blower are arranged so that a pressure differential is created between the housing and plenum.

Abstract: A drive sprocket for use with an elongate, endless saw chain, the sprocket being a substantially circular member having pockets spaced circumferentially thereabout for receiving drive tangs on the saw chain and edge margins adjacent the tang-receiving pockets against which surfaces of side links of the saw chain may rest. The pockets have enlarged portions, or bores, opening radially outwardly from the sprocket, which bores are wider than the side-to-side dimension of the side links on the chain to allow debris to clear radially from the pockets past the sides of the chain during operation. The sprocket also may have axial ports intersecting the radially disposed bores.

Abstract: The bucket-wheel excavator comprises a swivellable bucket-wheel boom 6 and a swivellable bridge 11. At a transfer location, the bridge 11 is rotatably supported on a truncated conical superstructure 10 and the turntable b 16 l of the bridge comprises raking protrusions 17, which clear the surface 18 of the superstructure 10 of debris when swivelling the turntable 16 (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A track type vehicle is provided with debris removal apparatus to prevent packing in a cavity defined by the track, the vehicle body, the drive sprocket, the idler and the frame member which mounts the drive sprocket and the idler. The debris removal apparatus is constructed in the form of a shaped plate whose peripheral edge conforms to the shape of the cavity and the plate is dimensioned such that the peripheral edge lies in immediate proximity of the cavity defining elements. In a normal or reset position, the plate lies immediately adjacent the body of the vehicle and in the operated condition, is moved outwardly by a plurality of hydraulic rams to push debris out of the cavity and prevent accumulation and packing. The plate may be further shaped, as viewed from the top, to include pockets for receiving roller supports which carry rollers for supporting the upper section of the track. Advantageously, the roller supports may include holes therethrough for receiving the piston rods of the hydraulic rams.

Abstract: In a double-band press for the continuous production of copper-lined laminates, copper foil webs and layered material webs are drawn off rollers and fed to the double-band press, the copper foil webs being placed against press belts of the press in an area between deflecting drums on an inlet side by means of deflecting rollers and are combined with the layered material webs prior to a reaction zone formed between the press belts in order to form a layered formation which is pressed in the reaction zone of the double-band press. In order to disengage resin residues which are hardened on the press belts and which exit from the layered material through holes in the copper foil during pressing and other impurities, a press belt grinding device is arranged at the press belt prior to the inlet zone.

Abstract: A conveyor for bulk goods of the endless-chain type including a bin having a longitudinal floor and upwardly extending and divergent sidewalls; at least two laterally spaced, sprocket mounted and driven, endless chains defining a working flight above the floor and a return flight below the floor; and a plurality of flexible load supporting flaps, each of the flaps having a leading edge attached to the laterally spaced chains by separate brackets to permit flexing of the flap in case of obstruction and a free trailing edge operable to overlap the leading edge of an adjacent and rearwardly spaced flap. Each of the flaps may also include a flexible scraper adjacent its leading edge operable to engage the upper surface of the floor for cleaning the floor.

Abstract: The invention is a support for a chain for a selective diverting device for diverting an individual cookie from one conveyor belt path to another location. It is preferably used in combination with a sensing device, such as a weigher, optical sensor, color sensor, or the like, the sensor selecting out "rejected" articles and actuating the diverting member.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention are for collecting particulate material which falls off the underside of the lower return run of a belt conveyor, and returning that material to the carrying run of the conveyor. An elevator is mounted around the conveyor at the position of a support roller for the lower run, where there is vibration and material is dislodged. The dislodged material is conveyed to a chute over the upper rim of the conveyor without any scraping contact with the underside of the lower run.

Abstract: A toothed belt drive which is particularly suitable for use in harvesting machines has belt teeth which are trapezoidal in plan and cross-section perpendicular to the direction of motion of the belt. The belt teeth are alternately oriented with the larger side edge of the base adjacent opposite side edges of the strip-like belt. The belt teeth are adapted to engage in recesses in a belt pulley which are complementarily shaped. The recesses in the belt pulley are laterally open adjacent the wider side edge to enable any foreign matter entering said recesses to be readily ejected therefrom.

Abstract: A scraper-chain conveyor has a scraper-chain assembly composed of a pair of outboard chains with scapers therebetween. The assembly passes along upper and lower runs and the lower run is enclosed. Each scraper has an upstanding front face and a lower foot face perpendicular thereto. The foot face slides along a floor of the conveyor and a scraping edge between the front and lower faces transfers material in the upper run. To prevent fine material building up in the lower run, the scraper has a further scraping edge formed between the front face and an upper face generally parallel to the lower face. This further scraping edge slides along the base of the lower run.

Abstract: A novel cleaning assembly for a dryer feed chute comprises a shaft, a housing in which said shaft is rotatably mounted, a carriage for carrying the housing and the shaft member, drive mechanism for rotating the shaft, and an oscillating chain for moving the housing and hence the shaft in the longitudinal direction. The oscillating mechanism includes control structure for providing longitudinal movement of the housing and the shaft from a first position to a second position and thereafter back to the first position to complete a cycle.

Abstract: This invention pertains to cleaning apparatus for a conveyor belt. This cleaner employs gravitational force to apply vibratory action on the conveyor belt. A free-turning roller engages the inner surface of the returning extent of the conveyor belt at a point and position near the tail pulley. Four embodiments are shown. The first shows the motor and vibrated pulley disposed between the extents of belt. The second embodiment has the motor disposed below the return extent of belt. The third embodiment in which the belt extents are too close together to mount the motor between the belts has the motor disposed above the incomming belt. The fourth embodiment shows vibration isolators which are used to reduce any transmission of vibrations into the frame supporting the pulleys of the conveyor belt. The vibrated frame is carried in channel shaped guideways lined with a non-metallic liner so the vibrated frame is gravitationally movable in the channels.

Abstract: A chip conveyer which comprises a cylindrical trough having a discharge gate at one end thereof and a plurality of feed openings to receive metal chip and a plurality of endless chains laid within the trough thereby metal chip is transmitted from feed openings to the discharge gate and clinging chip to the endless chains is split by vibration generated by means of a cam means.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus includes a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers which are disposed for abutment against each other for transporting a copy sheet carrying an unfixed toner image thereon toward a fixing unit. A cleaning member is disposed for abutment against those rollers which are adapted to contact the toner image to clean them and to charge them triboelectrically to the same polarity as the toner.

Abstract: An automatic blanket cylinder cleaner having a cleaner fabric adapted to contact the blanket cylinder. A cleaning cloth supply roller provides cloth for the cloth take-up roll. Positioned between these rolls is a water solvent dispensing tube, a solvent dispensing tube and an inflatable and deflatable mechanical loosening means which is adapted to move the cleaning fabric into and out of contact with the blanket cylinder. An air dryer means dries the blanket cylinder after the cleaning of debris. An advancing means advances the cleaning cloth intermittently onto the take-up roller by a control means in contact with the take-up roll which provides for uniform cloth advance during the cleaning cycle. There is a control means providing automatic and manual control.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for removing the fines that fall through the load run and accumulate on the return run of a foraminous, endless conveyor. In accordance with the invention, the fines are collected on the return run, conveyed on the load run to the discharge end of the conveyor and then passed through the conveyor at its discharge end.

Abstract: A row crop harvester provided with pairs of coacting power-driven endless belts having a feed path therebetween for stalk-type crop material to be fed by said belts to the harvester from the cutting mechanism thereon, the belts having lug members on the outer surfaces to effect positive engagement with crop material and move it along said feed path, and positive drive for said belts being provided in the form of spaced lugs on the inner surfaces of said belts which are received in complementary openings in rotary support and drive members, the improvement comprising self-clearing members supported adjacent the rotary members and having lugs projectable into the aforementioned openings to clear the same of any extraneous material therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning conveyor belts by a transverse cable. An upwards pressure is exerted on the belt by the cable to raise the edges of the belt, and this causes the cable to vibrate in the direction of travel of the belt causing the cable to clean the belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sieving roller conveyor for transporting green pellets and for sieving off fines. The conveyor comprises a series of horizontally disposed rollers which are alternately spaced to provide a cleaning clearance and a sieving clearance. The rollers extend transversely to the direction in which pellets are to be conveyed and are rotatably mounted in a frame and provided with drive mechanism for the rotation of the rollers in the direction in which the pellets are to be conveyed.

Abstract: The cleaning of conveyor belts has been a problem since their widespread acceptance and the adoption of belts for the transporting of materials. Many materials so conveyed have a tackiness and/or an affinity or attraction for the outer surface of a conveyor belt. When this attraction occurs, the cleaning or removal of this material from the surface of the belt is a problem. Many methods have been used for removing this material or residue adhering to the conveyor belt. In the present invention there is shown a vibration device which is attached so as to vibrate the lower belt extent. This apparatus is carried on the under and inner side of the conveyor belt so that a vibration occurs shortly after the discharge of the material from this belt.

Abstract: An automatic clean-out for the charging bin of an asphalt mix bucket elevator provides for removal of material from the bottom of the charging bin so that hardened asphalt mix will not interfere with operation of moving elevator parts upon subsequent restarting. The clean-out device comprises a pusher having an upright front surface and a flat top surface, with a length and width to overlie substantially the whole bottom area of the charging bin. The pusher is actuated forwardly and rearwardly by a double-acting pressure fluid cylinder jack mounted behind it. In moving forward, the pusher expels mix from the bottom of the charging bin through a front opening therein. It is rearwardly withdrawn through a closely fitting opening so that asphalt mix resting on its top is scraped off to remain in the charging bin.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly for moving particulate material such as grain on a conveyor belt. The conveyor assembly includes a tail section, one or more intermediate sections according to the needed length, and a head section. The head section contains a powered drive pulley. The tail section contains a tail pulley. An endless conveyor belt is trained between the tail pulley and the drive pulley. Each intermediate section carries at least one roller for carrying the forward run of the conveyor belt. The intermediate section rollers have a contoured, concave surface to support the conveyor belt with a dish-shaped or concave profile such that material is held on the conveyor belt and inhibited from spilling over the sides. The tail pulley is mounted in a tail pulley shroud having a funnel-shaped outlet directed toward the forward run of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A device for clearing residues of pulverulent or particulate product from a belt conveyor includes a vibrating roller freely rotatably mounted between an upper carrier run and a lower return run of said conveyor belt and biased into engagement with the inner side of the return run, the vibrating roller being sealed against ingress of dust and other foreign matter and enclosing a vibration generator motor. In such a device the vibration generator motor is protected from the effects of dust and climatic variations and is of compact form. The vibrating roller is resiliently supported by coil springs which thrust the roller against the inside face of the return run of the conveyor belt to ensure that contact is maintained between the vibrating roller and the return run of the conveyor belt even when the conveyor belt is circulating at a high linear speed.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for positioning fruit of the drupe type in which the fruit is conveyed along a vertically elongated path from a receiving station upward along the path and then downward along the path to a discharge station with the positioning apparatus being operative to urge the fruit to a predetermined orientation during both the upward and downward portions of travel from the receiving station to the discharge station.

Abstract: A sprocket assembly adapted for rotational cooperation with a flexible, toothed driving belt and used in a crop handling device such as a forage harvester or the like is constructed of a pair of parallel sidewall members or disks which are interconnected by a central hub rotatable about a center axis. The outer surface of the hub is contoured so as to include a middle section of reduced diameter together with additional sections of generally conical configuration extending away from the middle section toward the sidewalls. Sets of drive lugs are provided on the inner surfaces of each of the sidewalls and arranged in a circular pattern so as to cooperate with the teeth of the drive belt. A stationary wiper arm is mounted adjacent to the rotatable hub and includes a portion extending into the space between the sidewalls and between the two sets of drive lugs such that an end portion of the wiper arm is positioned in close proximity to the middle section of the hub.

Abstract: A method of enamelling sheets (e.g. cooker panels) in which hooks are used to suspend the sheets during the enamelling procedure and in which deposits of enamel are prevented from building up on the hooks by covering them initially with an under-coat of non-pellicular aluminium paint. This has the effect of retaining the enamel that may be deposited on the hooks until after firing (thereby avoiding spoiling the enamel of the sheets with particles of broken hook enamel) but of enabling the enamel to be removed after firing either by heating and quenching the hooks or by vibrating them (or both).

Abstract: A plunger assembly for moving a batch of rod-like articles, principally from a conveyor into a tray, is provided with locating means, such as a flexible strip, which is movable with the plunger and which exerts light pressure on the top of a batch to control the articles as they are transferred.

Abstract: Equipment for surface treatment of articles, providing means for uniformly cleaning and completely burning off undesirable coatings formed on elements supporting the articles subjected to treatment. The equipment includes metallic elements for supporting the articles subjected to treatment, heating filaments placed inside each of the metallic elements, and a conveyor for moving the supporting elements through treatment and cleaning stations.The heating filaments, each of which is separated from each of the metallic supporting elements by an insulating layer, form parts of electrical circuits for heating the supporting elements, and burning off therefrom any coating material that adhered thereto at the treatment station.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading particulate materials includes a flexible discharge chute having an accordion outer pipe 7 surrounding an inner pipe 3 comprising a plurality of telescopingly nested skirt sections 4 connected by chains 5. A flared hood 8 having a flexible lower skirt 10 is connected to a support ring 13 at the lower end of the chute, and the hood has a plurality of air intake ports 11 and adjacent material detecting contact switches 12. A winding apparatus 14 for raising and lowering the hood, and simultaneously contracting or expanding the chute, is controlled by the switches 12. Dust particles swirling up under the hood and skirt are drawn up through the annular space between the inner and outer pipes to a collector and precipitator 15, which separates out the dust particles and returns them to the discharge chute.

Abstract: The cleaning of conveyor belts has been a problem since their widespread acceptance and adoption for the transporting of materials. Many materials so conveyed have a tackiness or an affinity for the outer surface of the belt of the conveyor. When this occurs the cleaning or removal of this material from the surface of the belt becomes a problem. Prior to the present invention scrapers, brushes and similar devices have been widely used for removing this material or residue adhering to the conveyor belt. In the present invention there is shown a vibration device which is attached so as to vibrate a roller. This device is carried on the under and inner side of the conveyor belt so that this vibration occurs shortly after the discharge of the material from this belt. Shortly after passing over the discharge roller the conveyor belt is brought in way of a vibrated roller whereby any residual material on the exterior of the belt is loosened and knocked free by means of the localized vibrations.

Abstract: An improved tobacco harvester including roller members positioned adjacent to the upper rear end of the conveyor which functions to disengage leaves from the return side of the conveyor, and a cover arrangement over the discharge end of the conveyor to protect the discharged leaves from the force of winds.

Abstract: An endless single chain conveyor for moving bulk material to separate selective locations. The conveyor has a dropout section including a sliding door movable to an open position to allow material to drop from the conveyor intermediate the ends of the conveyor. Shaker structure movable to an operable position when the door is in its open position has a roller engageable with the chain of the conveyor so that the chain repetitively moves up and down as it rides over the roller so that the material carried by the conveyor will fall through the discharge opening of the dropout section of the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning conveyor belts includes a cylinder, and drive means for causing the cylinder to rotate. A plurality of fingers extend from and are spaced about the curved exterior surface of the cylinder with the fingers being inclined in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the cylinder. To clean a conveyor belt, the cylinder is positioned adjacent the surface of the conveyor belt so that the fingers of the cylinder contact or nearly contact the surface of the belt and, as the cylinder is rotated, the fingers are forced outwardly to make greater contact with the surface of the belt. To enhance the cleaning process, the conveyor belt is driven in a direction opposing the direction of movement of the fingers.