Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging and/or processing objects, having a transport section (1) for conveying products, containers, and/or packaging units in a transport direction (2), wherein the transport section (1) has a conveying device (3), in the form of a conveyor belt, having preferably at least one drive means. For routing the transport section (1), at least in certain regions or portions an effective width of the conveying device (3), as viewed perpendicularly to the transport direction (2), for conveying the products, containers, and/or packaging units is preferably variably settable, at least over a predetermined or predeterminable region.

Abstract: A cold planer includes a frame and a conveyor system configured to transport milled material. The conveyor system may include a primary conveyor configured to transfer the milled material to a charge end of a secondary conveyor. The cold planer may also include a material deflector having a deflecting surface angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cold planer. The deflecting surface may be configured to deflect at least a portion of the milled material exiting the primary conveyor towards the charge end of the secondary conveyor.

Abstract: A chain type vehicle conveying device is used in stereo garages. The vehicle conveying device includes two conveyor assemblies moving in synchronous circulating motion. Each conveyor assembly includes two parallel chains with attached plates. Parallel crossbeams are affixed to the two chains of each conveyor assembly to support a vehicle. The chains with attached plates each include an upper portion and a lower portion at any point during a moving cycle of the chains. The upper portion slides on a corresponding sliding rail mounted to a frame. The lower portion slides on a corresponding sliding pallet matching the crossbeams and mounted to the frame. Each conveyor assembly is moved by a pair of driving sprockets meshing with the two chains of the conveyor assembly and a pair of tension pulleys. A power transmission gear of the vehicle conveying device transmits power to the driving sprockets.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a roller cover that can be installed in a conveyor system. The roller cover includes a plate that is configured to be positioned over a roller in the conveyor system. The plate is configured to restrict a movement of an item that is transported by the conveyor system. A first fin and a second fin extend from the plate. The first fin and the second fin attach the roller cover to the conveyor system.

Abstract: A system for loading and/or unloading trays includes a first conveyor configured to convey the trays in a direction of transport. A lowering device is configured to lower the trays from the first conveyor onto a strip conveyor. A lift-out device is configured to lift the trays from the strip conveyor onto a second conveyor. The strip conveyor includes strips disposed perpendicularly to an upper surface of the strip conveyor and the trays include slots configured to receive the strips such that the strips perpendicularly emerge into corresponding slots while a respective one of the trays is being lowered onto the strip conveyor by the lowering device and perpendicularly emerge from the corresponding slots while the respective one of the trays is being lifted from the strip conveyor by the lift-out device.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for unloading trays loaded with articles using a first supply conveyor on which trays to be unloaded are delivered. The trays include a frame with a peripheral raised edge and a base having at least one aperture and a transport plate for the articles, the transport trays being positioned on the base of the frame. A lowering device is provided for lowering the frame of the tray, substantially without vertical movement of the transport plate.

Abstract: A transfer station in the face end region between a face conveyor and a gate conveyor in the region of a drive for the face conveyor, the gate conveyor being attached to the face conveyor such that it can be moved pivotably to a limited extent relative to the latter. The transfer station being provided with a receiving plate that is arranged on a subframe of the drive for the face conveyor, which receiving plate is provided with a bearing seat, in which a specific connection pan element of the gate conveyor is mounted such that it can be moved pivotably relative to the face conveyor or its drive about a pivot axis which is defined by the bearing seat. The construction has the particular advantage that the pivoting bearing is readily accessible and has to transmit only low forces which result substantially from the loading of the gate conveyor.

Abstract: A storage device for products includes parallel transport elements configured to convey product in opposite directions, and storage sections formed on corresponding transport elements and defining a transport plane. A transfer element includes a transfer section that extends over the transport elements. An actuating drive is arranged beneath the transport plane and coupled to the transfer element to change receiving capacities of the storage sections. The actuating drive is configured to adjust the transfer element by movement along the transport elements. At least one of the transport elements is controllable independently of adjustment of the transfer element.

Abstract: Hitch guards are provided for spanning a gap formed in a conveying surface between two adjacent rollers. In one aspect, the hitch guards include hitch guard members positioned side-by-side along the gap. An elongate mounting member extends across the conveyor belt and has the hitch guard members releasable mounted thereto. In another aspect, an elongate hitch guard member extends across the belt width in the gap and includes a laterally elongated recess to capture debris.

Abstract: There is described an automated laboratory system for handling test tubes containing biological material specimens supported by conveying devices (3) along guide lanes (1, 2), in which motorized conveyor belts (62) run, comprising main lanes (1) and secondary lanes (2) for overtaking the conveying devices (3) and/or routing the conveying devices (3) of the test tubes (4) to the various pre-testing, (19-20), testing (17) and post-testing stations (21).

Abstract: A self-clearing conveyor transfer system for transferring articles between two mutually perpendicular conveyor belts. One version of the transfer system includes a finger transfer plate with fingers at one end extending into the end of a raised-rib belt and powered rollers at the opposite end rotating about axes perpendicular to the fingers. A second conveyor belt perpendicular to the raised-rib belt advances parallel to the roller axes. Articles transfer from one belt to the other across the finger transfer plate. Because the rollers are powered, straggling articles are not stranded on the transfer plate.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for unloading trays loaded with articles using a first supply conveyor on which trays to be unloaded are delivered. The trays include a frame with a peripheral raised edge and a base having at least one aperture and a transport plate for the articles, the transport trays being positioned on the base of the frame. A lowering device is provided for lowering the frame of the tray, substantially without vertical movement of the transport plate.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a vehicle from a first dual belt conveyor to a second dual belt conveyor utilizes transitions between the belts of the first and second conveyors which are offset along a direction of travel. The offset transitions result in only one wheel of the vehicle at a time crossing a transition. The transitions utilize fixed rollers positioned on either side of a plurality of recirculation rollers. The fixed rollers minimize the gap between the ends of the belts and the transitions while permitting the belts, particularly with cleats, to pass by the fixed rollers.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring small items from one conveyor belt to another includes a plurality of independent wedge-shaped sections, supported by at least one rod. A tapered end of each section is preferably positioned proximate a moving conveyor belt. Each wedge-shaped section includes a substantially smooth continuous surface extending across the gap between the conveyor belts. The smooth surfaces are coplanar with the surfaces of the belts and help prevent tipping of items transferred.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring containers from one moving conveyor to another. The conveyors may be aligned with a common direction of travel. One or more guide rails may be provided to guide conveyed items through a curved transfer section. The conveyors may be supported on a modular support unit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a transfer table is located between incoming and outgoing conveyor support structures.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements in modular links and conveyor belt systems for transferring moving articles from one conveyor belt to another disposed at ninety degrees. Thus a transferring belt has specially constructed links with two integrally formed portions across the width, one for pivotable connection in a moving belt configuration and the other specially constructed with features for more effective transfer of articles from the edge of a transfer belt to a moving belt disposed at ninety degrees which excludes inter-link pivoting structure. Thus with specially formed belt edge transfer modular links, a planar edge transfer platform is formed by the upper surfaces of a series of link end and belt edge planar conveyance surfaces located on the respective belt links.

Abstract: The invention provides a conveying apparatus including an upstream conveyor, a downstream conveyor oriented perpendicularly to the upstream conveyor to form a butt turn, and a mechanism for transferring conveyed articles from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor. The transfer mechanism includes guide rails that provide a corner to change the direction of travel of the conveyed articles and a transfer assist conveyor for supporting the articles as they travel between the upstream and downstream conveyors. The transfer assist conveyor runs alongside the upstream conveyor and has a cantilevered section that extends over the sprocket location of the downstream conveyor to perform the function of a prior art static transfer plate.

Abstract: A system and a process is provided for reducing the dust formation during the transfer of a particulate material on an endless conveyor belt. During transfer of the material on the conveyor belt the material is first sprayed with a wetting agent then by application of a plow the moving material is lifted from the bottom of the belt and is diverted towards the side edges of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces. The material is then again sprayed then contacted with baffles to redirect the material from the side edges towards the center of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces which are then again sprayed with a wetting agent to substantially eliminate dusting. The plow and baffle combination can also be used for uniformly mixing two or more particulate materials on a moving belt.

Abstract: A conveyor having [means for changing direction of conveyed articles in which there is] an input chain 20, output chain 24 at an angle with the input chain, inner and outer guide rails 30 and 44 and one or more supplemental discharge chains 50, 54 and 56 to assist in moving conveyed articles from the input chain to the output chain.

Abstract: Apparatus for hauling mined coal in a subsurface mining operation with a longwall conveyor, a drift conveyor and a cross frame with stripper for the connection of the longwall conveyor with the drift conveyor. The longwall conveyor and the drift conveyor are designed as chain scraper conveyors and include a conveyor trough with trough bottom and trough sidecheeks, pushers guided in the sidecheeks, and at least one pull chain with which the pushers are connected and which runs in the region of the trough center at least in the case of the longwall conveyor. On the side away from the lateral discharge, the pushers are guided in a guide trough continuing the associated trough sidecheek. A track-in device for disengaged pushers of the longwall conveyor running with one arm on the trough sidecheek is provided, which comprises a track-in cutout in the trough sidecheek.

Abstract: A transfer station is disclosed for transferring mineral material from a longwall conveyor to a loading conveyor. The loading conveyor has two straight portions joined by a curved portion, one of the straight portions extending in the longitudinal direction of the longwall conveyor, and being positioned beneath the end of the longwall conveyor. The longwall conveyor extends over the loading conveyor in the region of its curved portion. Larger pieces of mineral material are deflected, by a lateral deflector in the exit region of the curved portion of the loading conveyor, from the longwall conveyor, while the finer conveyed material is delivered at the end of the longwall conveyor onto the loading conveyor.

Abstract: A transfer station assembly is provided for transferring mineral material from a longwall scraper-chain conveyor to a roadway scraper-chain conveyor. The transfer station includes a box frame, in which the upper run of the roadway conveyor is guided between the upper and lower runs of the longwall conveyor. Guide bars are provided for guiding the scrapers of the scraper assembly of the roadway conveyor within the box frame. The guide bars for the roadway conveyor are detachably secured to the box frame so as to be readily releasable and replaceable by other guide bars, whereby roadway conveyors of different types and/or widths can be connected to the box frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in releasing a fragile food product which has become stuck to a support surface as a result of a prior processing operation, and for transferring the released food product from the support surface in an orderly fashion so that the food product can be further processed and the support surface returned for reuse. In a preferred embodiment, a releasing roller having flexible rubber projections thereon rotates below a tray which supports strips of an extruded meat product stuck to the tray, with the projections extending upwardly through apertures in the tray to gently contact the underside of the meat strip. A back-up roller above the tray and offset horizontally from the releasing roller restrains the trays and strips from moving upwardly, thereby cooperating with the releasing roller to free the adhered food product.

Abstract: A mechanism for centering the body of an electrical component in a carrier during a phase of processing the component. A pair of centering fingers are pivotally supported for movement toward and away from the carrier and adjustably downwardly biased toward the carrier to accurately position the centering fingers at the juncture of the component body and leads during centering.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly having a first, generally, horizontal, endless belt conveyor and a second, generally horizontal, endless belt conveyor extending perpendicular to the first conveyor and with its trailing end overlapped with the leading end of the first conveyor to carry articles away from the first conveyor. Each conveyor has several laterally spaced belts. Where the conveyors overlap their belts are interleaved to transfer articles properly from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. The second conveyor has a top piece just below the upper course of travel for its belt with an opening having round-tipped, tapered teeth at the front to prevent the strings or the like on a laundry article being conveyed from getting tangled in the drive roller at the leading end of this conveyor.

Abstract: A circulative catering table having a counter and an endless path of travel for dishes and meals, provided in the counter, at least a bypass path of travel is provided, dishes containing therein meals, which have been transferred on a going path portion of the endless path of travel, are led to the bypass path of travel by an arm member for guide rotatably provided and having a length larger than the width of the path of travel, and subsequently, led to a returning path portion of the endless path of travel by another arm member for guide on the returning path portion, whereby a suitable circulative path is formed by the endless path of travel and the bypass path of travel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a power-driven conveyor system for transporting and accumulating a plurality of items along a path of movement from a source to a destination. The system includes a horizontally oriented section for accumulating the items along the path and an apparatus for transporting the items therealong. The apparatus may be either a plurality of parallel, spaced-apart endless belts or a plurality of conveying sections interconnected together to form an endless carrier. Each section of the carrier may constitute itself a device for directly carrying one of the items. The invention provides an effective horizontal accumulator for items on a production or an assembly line operating at a relatively high speed. The accumulator operates on the FIFO principle so that, upon a malfunction of either upstream or downstream equipment, dated or otherwise sequentially marked items are stored in such a manner that the first item into the system is the first item to come out.

Abstract: A potato handling apparatus includes a roller conveyor for receiving a continuous stream of irregularly sized potatoes with an aligning section at the upstream end of the conveyor which includes a series of two parallel flaps for turning and pushing the potatoes lengthwise into the valleys of the roller conveyor. To eliminate all but one potato from each valley, a singulating section is provided. The singulating section includes a rod longitudinally disposed adjacent one edge of the roller conveyor and a series of parallel overlapping sprocket-like discs which extend diagonally across the conveyor to a downstream position which is inwardly spaced from said edge of the conveyor. Each disc has cogs formed on the periphery thereof which perforate the valleys in succession to a depth which prevents the potatoes from being pinched between the discs and rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus, used in the treatment of cans, is made up of a number of individual units, each of which essentially comprises a pair of drums that are mounted for rotation about parallel axes which are vertically disposed. One of the drums is used in the treatment of the interior of the cans, while the other is utilized in the treatment of the exterior of the cans. Each of the rotary drums is provided with means for holding a number of cans in circumferential alignment around the outer periphery of the drum such that the longitudinal axes of the cans are radially oriented relative to the rotational axes of the drums. Other means are provided to successively transfer the cans from one drum to another. A number of such units can be used, in tandem, to treat the cans beginning from washing, rinsing and drying of the cans to heating, coating and drying of the coated cans.

Abstract: A magnetic transfer mechanism for transferring ferro magnetic articles from one endless belt conveyor to another. The transfer mechanism includes a magnetic pulley and the conveyor belts are disposed in side-by-side relation on the pulley. Guide rails are disposed outwardly of the pulley and arranged in a generally helical configuration and serve to guide the articles from one belt to the other belt as the belts travel over the pulley.

Abstract: Apparatus for diverting articles from a belt conveyor at an article-discharge zone, wherein a diverter is moved from a position at the side of the belt to a position wherein it extends at an angle to the direction of movement of the belt transversely of the belt in the path of movement of the articles. The diverter is pivotally mounted to swing through an angle from its retracted position along one side of the belt to its extended position in which it extends across the conveyor at an angle so that articles encounter it and are diverted from the conveyor. The axis of the pivotal movement of the diverter is at the upstream edge of the article-discharge zone and is so positioned that the path of the downstream end of the diverter moves along an arc which intersects the near edge of the belt substantially opposite or downstream from the point where that arc intersects the far edge of the belt.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for delivering animal feed to animals and especially to feedbunks for cattle. The apparatus includes a carriage which travels back and forth over a conveyor belt which carries the feed along the feedbunk. The carriage has a plow and a deflector which engage feed and discharge it off one side of the belt or the other. The plow and deflector are located obliquely at angles to the belt so as to discharge all of the feed entirely off one side. An arm moves both the plow and the deflector from one oblique position to another when actuated by trip members located at predetermined positions along the belt. The deflector engages any feed not discharged by the plow and discharges it off the same side of the belt, and also cleans the belt.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling creme filled cookies during a period in which the filling is hardening. The cookies are formed of a pair of baked base cakes separated by a layer of creme filling material which is applied in a heated fluid state and hardens as it cools. The apparatus includes a cooling tunnel and a conveyor extending through the tunnel. The conveyor is segmented, each segment having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls which form an elongated trough to carry a continuous column of cookies through the cooling tunnel. The side walls of the segments are inclined outwardly to tangentially engage the edge of the base cakes and support the cookies in a vertical position.

Abstract: Conveyer load shunting apparatus having a housing with a main shaft equipped with a radial shunt bar extending over the conveyer to divert a load traveling on one conveyer to another. A lever on the main shaft is swung by a solenoid via a push-pull rod to swing the shunt bar from neutral to a shunting position. A spring biases the shunt bar to neutral and the solenoid armature extended. A horizontal rocker bar extends from the housing into the conveyer and has a radial leg equipped with a load engaging wheel. A spring and a radial switch bar on the rocker shaft biases the rocker shaft angularly to swing the wheel to a neutral position below the conveyer. A radial blocker arm on the rocker shaft has an end which is engageable with a peg on the lever of the main shaft to block the angular position of the main shaft with the shunt bar in shunt position. Thus the weight of the load holds the apparatus in shunt position with no strain on the solenoid.

Abstract: The feed blanket is conditioned prior to entering the mill to provide more uniformity of thickness and to control maximum thickness. Overfeeding is prevented by self-regulated by-passing of excess feed. Plural mills of a milling tandem can be made to operate in a parallel fashion while the remaining ones continue to operate in their usual series fashion.

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting containers such as bottles according to their shape, size or color in which there is a conveyor along which the containers pass with a plurality of exits. Container recognition apparatus is provided which controls means to direct the different containers to selected ones of the exits.

Abstract: A conveyor having a plurality of indentations sufficiently wide to receive a single article and a bar transverse to the movement of the conveyor, the bar being suspended from filaments above the conveyor a distance sufficient to pass a single layer of articles and to gently nudge superposed articles into a successive unoccupied indentation.

Abstract: An elongated endless conveyor unit extends in a horizontal plane and successively carries a plurality of article forming molds from a batter coating station through a hot oil within a cooking vessel located under the conveyor and then to a discharge station where the articles are successively removed from the molds. Each of the molds is connected to the conveyor by a corresponding arm assembly including a cam element which is actuated for rotating the arm to remove the mold and article from the oil. The batter is recirculated from a removable reservoir container to an overflow container removably supported within the reservoir container, and the overflow container has an adjustable side wall for precisely selecting the level of the batter relative to the path of the molds.