Abstract: A conveyor belt sanitizer system includes a free-standing conveyor belt apparatus having a rotating conveyor belt traveling in a looped path, opaque cases are disposed proximate to and facing an outer surface of the conveyor belt along a hidden return section of the looped path, LEDs are situated in the opaque cases, brackets are connected to opposed longitudinal sides of a first one of the plurality of opaque cases and configured to be mounted to a support surface at the hidden return section of the looped path, and a controller is coupled to the LEDs. The controller is configured to automatically actuate the LEDs between an operating mode and a non-operating mode when the conveyor belt is rotated relative to a stationary position of the opaque cases and further configured to selectively sanitize an outer surface of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A processing line processes logs of convolutely wound web material and has upstream and downstream sections. A main accumulator has buckets that receive, hold, and release logs. An input feeder receives logs from the upstream section and conveys them to a bucket of main accumulator. A loader has a loader accumulator and loader buckets that receive, hold, and release logs. A transfer conveyor between the main accumulator and the loader receives a log from the main accumulator bucket and conveys the log a loader bucket independently of the input feeder. The loader receives a log from the transfer conveyor. The loader conveys the log in the loader bucket to a discharge of the loader. The loader discharge discharges the log from the loader bucket to the downstream section of the processing line.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming a metal container including one or more devices that are electronically coordinated to perform operations of local and/or extensive deformation over metal containers and one or more interface devices (12) wherein the motion among the devices is accomplished in an indirect way through elements adapted to coordinate and synchronize these same devices.

Abstract: A system for controlling friction forces acting on a mailpiece in a mailpiece insertion module. The system includes, a backstop assembly for arresting the motion of the envelope when disposed in a first positon and permitting conveyance along the feed path when disposed in a second position, an actuator operative to position the backstop assembly into the first and second positions and consuming energy to maintain the backstop assembly in the first position, a sensor for acquirinq data indicative of the magnitude of energy consumed by the actuator; a means for developing a pressure differential across the envelope to urge the envelope into frictional engagement with a plurality of drive belts and for developing friction forces along a mating interface, and a system controller, for varying the magnitude of the pressure differential and the friction forces developed along the mating interface of the envelope.

Abstract: A system for controlling friction forces acting on a mailpiece in a mailpiece insertion module.

Abstract: A safety arrangement for use with a piece of equipment. The safety arrangement includes a signal generating unit for generating an optical signal, an elongate element, and a signal detecting unit. The elongate element is disposed along, about, around or through the piece of equipment and is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The signal detecting unit detects an optical signal. The signal generating unit is connected to the signal detecting unit by the elongate element such that the signal detecting unit is in optical communication with the signal detecting unit. The signal detecting unit is arranged to detect a change in the optical signal transmitted by the elongate element as a consequence of movement of the elongate element and, upon detection of the change in the signal, the detecting unit is configured to effect a change in the operation of the piece of equipment.

Abstract: A fruit juice extractor may include a load sensitive coupler coupling a drive motor to a drive shaft during normal operation, and decoupling the drive motor from the drive shaft when the fruit feed members become jammed. The extractor may also include a decoupling detector for detecting decoupling of the load sensitive coupler. The load sensitive coupler may include a rotatable drive hub rotatably carried by a drive shaft and connected to a drive motor, a fixed hub fixed to the drive shaft adjacent the rotatable drive hub, and a shear pin extending between the rotatable drive hub and the fixed hub. The shear pin may couple the rotatable drive hub and the fixed hub together during normal operation and shear to decouple the rotatable drive hub from the fixed hub when the fruit feed members become jammed.

Abstract: A system and method is described for transporting articles, in particular for transporting container holding baggage pieces. At least two endless conveyor belts are sequentially arranged to define an upstream conveyor belt and a downstream conveyor belt for transport of articles in a transport direction from the upstream conveyor belt to the downstream conveyor belt. The conveyor belts are driven by drive-motors, in particular asynchronous motors, with the rotation speed of each drive motor being regulated depending on the weight of the articles located on the conveyor belt associated with the particular drive motor. The drive motors can be controlled by adjusting the frequency and/or voltage of the supplied electric power.

Abstract: A unit for transferring groups of cigarettes has a conveyor having pockets for housing the groups and for feeding the groups in a first direction; a guide for guiding each group into a respective pocket along a path in a second direction crosswise to the first direction; and a safety device having a guide member adjacent to the conveyor and movable between a work position defining part of the path, and an emergency position remote from the path; the unit also having a spring for setting the guide member to the emergency position when a group of cigarettes transmits to the guide member a force over and above a given threshold value.

Abstract: A clearing method for use with a conveyor belt driven by a reversible motor for essentially automatically eliminating swarf or other obstructions along the belt including an clearing process including sensing motor load and comparing sensed load to a maximum load, when the sensed load exceeds the maximum, performing a clearing process for a predetermined time period calculated to, given the clearly process, clear the obstruction.

Abstract: A clearing method for use with a conveyor belt driven by a reversible motor for essentially automatically eliminating swarf or other obstructions along the belt including an clearing process including sensing motor load and comparing sensed load to a maximum load, when the sensed load exceeds the maximum, stopping the belt, reversing the belt, stopping the belt again and driving the belt forward, and repeating this process until the obstruction is eliminated or a predetermined number of clearing processes have been performed. Also an apparatus for implementing the method including an inverter.

Abstract: Method of controlling the conveying speed of a grate cooler as a function of the state of the bed of material to be cooled in the initial region of the cooler while taking into account the flow resistance of said bed of material. According to the invention, the conveying speed, in addition to being controlled as a function of the flow resistance, is also controlled as a function of the height of the bed of material to be cooled.

Abstract: In a part feeding apparatus including a feeder bowl for discharging and feeding parts to an assembly apparatus and a hopper for discharging and feeding parts to the feeder bowl, a counter for counting parts discharged from the hopper and a counter for counting parts discharged from the feeder bowl are provided. The hopper is driven, so that a difference between values of the two counters is brought close to a definite value.

Abstract: A variable power conveyance apparatus for propelling loads under environments where the angle of inclination of a conveyance path may change. For these apparatuses, in particular, those located in aircraft cargo bays, drive units are constructed to drive heavy loads under all conditions, including up a slope. These drive units may be organized into sets for loading pallets into and out of the aircraft and along the left and right storage tracks within fore and aft sections of the aircraft. An inclinometer senses the aircraft's angle of inclination and generates a representative electronic signal. Control logic determines whether to apply, via an SCR circuit, a minimum voltage or a greater variable voltage if the selected set of drive units is called upon to drive the pallets up a slope.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for expeditiously locating an emergency situation of a conveyor. An emergency switch is connected to a conveyor to indicate an emergency situation. When the emergency switch indicates an emergency situation, a light is illuminated by an indicator circuit. The indicator light system allows an emergency situation to be easily observed at a distance from the conveyor.

Abstract: A mobile screening apparatus includes a horizontal rotary drum preferably fed by underflow from a prescreening device that is reversible endless belt of screening grizzly bars. The belt reverses for expelling oversize material caught between bars. Force needed to turn the drum is monitored, as a way of controlling drum feeding by the prescreening device, for preventing protracted over-filling of the drum. The screening drum includes an outer peripheral cage of longitudinal bars, at least some of which preferably are movably mounted. A set of wires is circumferentially wrapped about the bar cage, with sufficient flexibility to permit the wires to locally elastically flex away from the bars sufficient to pass slightly oversize material and facilitate cleaning of debris lodged in spaces among the bars and wires. Brushes help dislodge lodged debris.

Abstract: A high-speed conveyor system for conveying articles of baggage, includes a number of accelerating conveyor belt sections arranged in tandem for transporting a number of baggage articles loaded onto an upstream end of a first one of the belt sections to a downstream end of a last one of the belt sections. The sections are driven at successively increasing rates of speed from the first to the last one. High-speed conveyor belt sections transport baggage articles received from the last one of the accelerating conveyor belt sections at a substantially high rate of speed over a relatively long distance to a downstream end of the high-speed sections. A number of decelerating conveyor belt sections are arranged in tandem for transporting baggage articles fed from the high-speed conveyor belt sections onto an upstream end of a first one of the decelerating conveyor belt sections.

Abstract: An unloader for bulk materials is provided to transfer material such as cement from a barge or other bulk container. It includes a moveable and rotatable support member such as a crane or cantilevered arm that is adjacent the bulk container. A first conveyor or auger is connected to the support for pivotal movement and extends generally horizontally. A second conveyor or auger is connected to the distal end of the first conveyor for pivotal movement and is generally vertically oriented. A feeder unit is connected to the distal end of the second conveyor for universal and rotational movement. The feeder includes an uplift portion communicating with the second conveyor, the uplift portion advancing the bulk material at a rate slower than the second conveyor, and a collector portion communicating with the uplift portion. The collector portion includes converging auger assembly to advance the bulk material towards the uplift portion and to assist in transferring it into the uplift portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding waste tire chips (12) to an incinerator (11) having a feed chute (13) comprises a container (17) provided with a screw feeder (22, 23) at its bottom, upper and lower two vibrating feeders (24A), (24B), and a transfer conveyor (36) extending between the lower vibrating feeder (24B) and the feed chute (13). The screw feeder (22, 23) is controlled by a first controller (34) in response to an output signal from a first photoswitch (33) which is mounted on the upper vibrating feeder (24A) for detecting the quantity of chips delivered from the container (17). The transfer conveyor (36) and the lower vibrating feeder (24B) are controlled by a second controller (42) in accordance with an output signal from a second photoswitch (41) which is mounted on the feed chute (13) for detecting the quantity of chips to be fed to the incinerator (11) at a time. The upper vibrating feeder (24 A) is intermittently operated by a third controller (43).

Abstract: The device includes an actuating lever adjacent the intake end so that the intake end portion of the auger can be disengaged from the main auger flight if desired. A remote actuating lever is situated adjacent the discharge end of the auger tube operatively connected to the actuating lever adjacent the intake end so that remote control is possible. Over center linkage is provided so that the slip clutch assembly is held in the engaged position and disengaged is in the release position, depending upon the position of the actuating lever.

Abstract: A device for feeding cigarette filters or similar rod-like articles comprises a fluted drum and a conveyor for feeding a stack-like stream of filters towards the drum and including a conveyor band which is arranged to engage one side of the stack-like stream of filters while moving between two longitudinally spaced guides between which the conveyor is capable of deflecting outwards, in response to the pressure of the filters and against a restraining force, to accommodate a variable quantity of filters in the region of the conveyor band.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic sensor and control for monitoring the rate of transport of grain elevator buckets, the electronic control including a metal detector probe for sensing the passage of the buckets past the head and a control module for processing the signals from the head to produce a D-C voltage proportional to the bucket transport rate. Trigger networks responsive to the D-C voltage activate appropriate alarms and shut-down of various phases of the grain elevator operations. An automatic calibration control enables calibration of the D-C voltage for different desired rated speeds of the bucket transport.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying rod-like articles transverse to their lengths includes a first conveyor for moving a stack of articles from an inlet to an outlet and a reversible second conveyor connected to the first conveyor at a junction. The first and second conveyors each comprise interconnected horizontal path sections, which respectively lie alongside one another. The stack passing through the inlet may be delivered from a filter rod producing machine, and that passing through outlet may be delivered to a filter cigarette making machine. In this case the first conveyor constitutes a delay line to allow curing of the filter rods, and the second conveyor forms a reversible reservoir to adjust the net flow at the junction under control of a sensor.

Abstract: A backup station in a carton filling machine for the delivery and packaging of premanufactured blanks into transport containers. The station is arranged between an imbrication station and a delivery belt which includes a rotation station. Within the backup station, a support rail is arranged in the direction of delivery of the blanks which provides support for the blanks. Two conveyor belts running along the support rail are raised above the surface of the support rail during normal operation and are lowered by the backed-up blanks during backed-up operation.

Abstract: In the handling and charging of pre-heated coal, the coal is transported from a coal storage container to the oven chambers by an enclosed continuous conveyor system. The coke oven chambers are charged individually in a continual manner by transporting a measured amount of coal from the container, sufficient to fill a respective chamber. If coal, due to a malfunction, passes beyond the intended charging hole, it can jam the drive area causing extensive damage. To prevent this, a safety device is provided which includes a sensing device, e.g. a pivotally mounted switch for determining the presence of coal on the conveyor and associated therewith, a time delay system for determining if a particular amount of coal, to which the sensor is responding, is of sufficient volume to cause jamming of the conveyor drive system.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and clearing a jam of articles at the entrance to an article lane divider is provided which includes a plurality of parallel guides defining lanes for articles and conveyor means operative to advance articles toward the entrance to the lanes and to move the articles in the lanes. Detecting means are also included for detecting a jam of articles at the entrance to the lanes along with means for moving at least one of the parallel guides transversely to the direction of travel of the articles in response to the detection of a jam of articles at the entrance to the lanes by the detecting means, thereby breaking up the jam and permitting the articles to proceed into the lane divider.

Abstract: An automatically controlled bunker system includes a plurality of sensor means for sensing various operational conditions within the bunker system and for deriving signals indicative of the sensed operational conditions. The derived signals are fed to control means which control operation of the bunker system in accordance with the sensed operational conditions.

Abstract: An article grader essentially comprising a feed belt for the articles, a device for simultaneously weighing a number of articles fed by the feed belt, a conveyor for conveying the weighed articles to a plurality of accumulation belts, each designed for receiving the articles of a specific class of weight, and arranged behind each accumulation belt a feed equalizer, a packing machine and a closing device. Besides there are provided means for controlling the feed rate in dependence of the quantity of articles present on each of the accumulation belts.

Abstract: A casting mould consisting of closely collected uniform mould parts is advanced stepwise on a conveyor path by a main piston, exerting an endwise pressure on the endmost mould part, and by an auxiliary mould advancing device incorporating a hydraulic cylinder, the piston of which is greater than said main piston. Hydraulic fluid displaced by the main piston is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder together with additional hydraulic fluid admitted through a differential pressure valve responding on the pressure difference between the two sides of the main piston.

Abstract: A conveyor system for cigarettes and similar rod-like articles includes a sensor device above a junction between a plurality of cigarette conveyors, the sensor device comprising a horizontal arm to which is pivoted a plate resting on the cigarettes in the junction. Movement of the arm may be transmitted to a rotary regulator for controlling one of the conveyors, the regulator being coupled to the arm by means of a pin and slot connection.

Abstract: A device for feeding cigarette filters or similar rod-like articles comprises a fluted drum and a conveyor for feeding a stack-like stream of filters towards the drum and including a conveyor band which is arranged to engage one side of the stack-like stream of filters while moving between two longitudinally spaced guides between which the conveyor is capable of deflecting outwards, in response to the pressure of the filters and against a restraining force, to accommodate a variable quantity of filters in the region of the conveyor band.