Abstract: Compact orienting and transferring device for unitary elongated food products (1) comprising a circular conveyor (10) surrounded by a limitative wall (11) with an extraction opening (12); an extractor device including an extraction path (31, 32, 33) defined on a first conveyor (21) and with an intake end connected to the extraction opening (12), and a circular wheel (40) including a circular groove (50) on the wheel periphery, the first conveyor (21) being a conveyor belt wider than the circular groove entrance (53), a circular portion of the first conveyor (21) being directly supported on the wheel periphery covering the circular groove entrance (53) on a portion of that wheel periphery, defining a circular portion (32) of the extraction path (31, 32, 33) within the circular groove (50).

Abstract: A low-profile, high-capacity elevator conveying system that is operably able to reduce spatial requirements for the elevating system to not less than about one third (?) of the overall lift height, and preferably having a height to base ratio in a range of between 4:1 to 8:1. The present invention also relates to a high capacity elevator conveying system which can elevate both fine and coarse materials through a range of between 300 ?m and 300 mm, while limiting belt side travel to 150 mm maximum, or +/?75 mm as required to prevent edge damage to the conveyor belts.

Abstract: A conversion unit converting a first continuous web substrate into a second substrate in the form of converted blanks of predetermined length. On account of cutting tool rotation speed, the web moves at various speeds for cutting the web cut lengths and other aspects of cutting and transport process having a constant input speed. The unit includes a first motorized arrangement for producing a first run driving of the web, a sheeter having rotary tools for cutting the web into blanks, a second motorized arrangement for producing a second run driving of the substrate, the second arrangement being positioned in the immediate proximity of the sheeter, and at least one station having rotary tools for converting the blanks.

Abstract: The system for transferring rod-shaped articles comprises a reservoir for holding a plurality of rod-shaped articles and a conveyor band comprising a seat adapted to receive a rod-shaped article from the reservoir. The system further comprises a speed compensator for compensating a speed variation of a portion of the conveyor band such that a speed of another portion of the conveyor band is kept constant. There is also provided an arrangement for retaining rod-shaped articles in a conveyor band. The arrangement comprises a conveyor wheel, wherein the seat is guidable in the conveyor band around the conveyor wheel and comprises an offset conveyor band arranged in parallel and at a distance to the conveyor band along a section of the conveyor band.

Abstract: A transfer modules arrangement (100) for an articles conveyor (110). The transfer modules arrangement includes at least one transfer module (125) in turn comprising a frame (310) housing a plurality of idle rollers (135) for allowing an inertial run of transported articles (140) between consecutive conveyor belt/chain elements (115a, 115b) of the articles conveyor. According to the invention, the transfer modules arrangement includes at least one positioning rod (120). Additionally, the frame of the at least one transfer module further includes a shaped cavity (315) for allowing a sliding insertion of the at least one transfer module on the at least one positioning rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor device comprising a conveyor belt (10) with a surface (4) oriented towards the outer face of the conveyor belt. The surface (4) has a plurality of microstructures with protruding regions such that an object (14) adheres to the surface (4) when the object (14) comes into contact with the surface (4) on the basis of the resulting van der Waals forces.

Abstract: A carrier member is configured to receive a discrete article from a transfer assembly. The carrier member includes a cylindrical roll having a receiving surface and a resilient member connected with the receiving surface. The resilient member has a plurality of intermittently spaced first voids extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation at a first radial distance from the axis of rotation and a plurality of intermittently spaced second voids extending circumferentially about the axis of rotation at a second radial distance from the axis of rotation. The first radial distance is greater than the second radial distance. Each first void is separated from each second void.

Abstract: Conveyor system (1) for forage bales (2) comprising driving means (3) for said forage bales (2) and dragging means (4) for said driving means (3) for moving said bales (2) along a conveying direction, and it is characterised in that said driving means (3) are rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis (“Y”) of said dragging means, said driving means (3) being susceptible to freely rotate about said axis (“Y”) to permit the relative movement of the bales (2) with respect to said dragging means (4). The system prevents the breakage of tie threads, permits to auto-align the bales and permits the bales to trace curved paths with a very little rotation radius.

Abstract: In some implementations, a banded discharge removes or rejects comestibles from a production line when the comestibles have a diameter less than a minimum value. The banded discharge may include two or more support members and each pair of adjacent support members may be spaced apart a distance W. When a comestible with a diameter about the same as or less than the distance W moves onto the banded discharge, the banded discharge may remove the comestible from the production line. For example, the comestible may fall between two adjacent support members.

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: In some implementations, a cooler reduces the temperature of pressed dough balls after the pressed dough balls have been baked in an oven. The cooler may include multiple cooling conveyors arranged in a vertical stack with adjacent conveyors transferring the pressed dough balls in opposite directions. The cooler may include a safety release turnaround between each of the adjacent cooling conveyors to move the pressed dough balls between the adjacent conveyors in the cooler.

Abstract: The invention relates method for controlling a machine for treating containers (12) as well as for controlling processing and/or treatment stations located downstream from it, wherein the machine has a plurality of turntables (42) that are each driven by a motor and that serve to orient and/or position the containers (12), in which method the motor drives (44) of the turntables (42) are each monitored separately, so that, if an error occurs with one or more of the turntable drives (44), the affected defective turntable drives (44) are deactivated while the machine and/or the stations located downstream continue to be operated.

Abstract: A method and device are provided to produce stacks composed of printed products. Printed products are supplied substantially vertically and in an overlapping flow with the aid of a first conveying device continuously to an essentially horizontally extending stack support. A stack is formed at the stack support, where the printed products are at least approximately lined up in an upright position. The stack on the stack support is transported with a second conveying device moving at a forward-feed speed and in a forward-feed direction. The stack is supported along a leading stack end against a support device that also moves in the forward-feed direction. A third conveyor acts upon a region of a lower edge of at least one printed product, which impacts the stack support, to move the at least one printed product in the forward-feed direction of the stack with a speed that corresponds at least to the forward-feed speed of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering pieces of paste made of active matter for plates of lead accumulators, which comprises a first conveyor belt, having a first horizontal section for receiving the pieces from a spreading machine and a first vertical section, and a second conveyor belt, having a second horizontal section for transferring the pieces to the hopper of the spreading machine and a second substantially vertical section. The vertical sections are arranged counterfaced to each other to hold and transport the pieces interposed therebetween. A third conveyor belt is suitable to receive the pieces from the second horizontal section and transfer them to the hopper. The two conveyor belts are wound on two return rollers in common delimiting the vertical sections, at least one of which is provided with an annular cavity, within which the conveyor belt can extend to house the lead pieces with the other belt superimposed.

Abstract: Conveyance pitch is modified without modifying a pallet. A pallet conveying apparatus has: one, two or more pallets onto which a work can be loaded; a first and a second pallet rails on which the pallet can be movably loaded; first and second pallet feeding mechanisms that convey the pallet; and a pallet transfer mechanism that causes the pallet loaded on the first or second pallet rail to be transferred to the second or first pallet rail. The pallet transfer mechanism has a first movable portion that forms one part of the first pallet rail and that can be made continuous with the second pallet rail by being separated from another part; and a second movable portion that forms one part of the second pallet rail and that can be made continuous with the first pallet rail by being separated from another part. The first and second pallet feeding mechanisms have circulating endless first and second belts capable of engaging with the pallet that is loaded on each of the pallet rails.

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 manufacturing chain includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. An article transportation device of at least one modular manufacturing station is configured to move a carrier in a reverse transport direction while an article transportation device of at least one other modular manufacturing station is driven in the forward transport direction.

Abstract: A belt conveyor (100) for an agricultural harvester comprises first and second conveyors that include side rails (102, 104, 120, 122) made of extrusions in which the side rails (102, 104) of the first conveyor have extruded profiles that engage extruded profiles of the side rails (120, 122) of the second conveyor (130), wherein the mating extruded profiles permit relative sliding movement between the first and second conveyors. The two mating pairs of side rails (102, 120 and 104, 122) may be driven in parallel by a common motor (706).

Abstract: A device (10) for loading containers (12), which are provided with a neck (20), on an transporting element (14) includes a member (28) for individually grasping the container by the neck thereof, wherein the grasping member is used for catching or releasing the neck of a preform by the vertical slide of the preform with respect to the grasping member during an operation for catching or releasing it, the loading device includes elements (42, 68) for selectively ejecting the container from the transporting element during the releasing operation. The elements for ejecting the container are provided with container receiving members (42) which are used for catching the container prior to the releasing operation and are mounted in a horizontally movable manner in such a way that the trajectory of the receiving members are vertically superimposed and synchronized with the trajectory of the grasping device.

Abstract: A universally adjustable star wheel for conveying articles on an automated handling line is disclosed. In one embodiment, the adjustable star wheel includes rotatable elements that are configured to rotate around a central axis. Each rotatable element has a central axis, a periphery, and at least one control surface for assisting in controlling the article being conveyed. The control surfaces on the rotatable elements are arranged to together form at least one pocket for the article, wherein the pocket has a width and a depth. The angle defining the control surface on at least one rotatable element is different from the angle of another rotatable element to form the depth of at least a portion of the pocket. In this embodiment, the boundaries of the pocket are configured solely by at least partially rotating at least some of the rotatable elements to adjust the location of the control surfaces of the different rotatable elements to form a pocket for the article being conveyed.

Abstract: A nailing mechanism for a packing plate comprises a middle feeding device, an upper feeding device, a lower feeding device, a first conveying belt, a second conveying belt, a third conveying belt, a first push panel, a second push panel, a plurality of first nail guns, and a plurality of second nail guns, wherein the nailing mechanism are used to automatically assemble a plurality of first, second, and third slabs together to make a finished packing plate, thus lowering production costs and enhancing manufacturing efficiency.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for loading (10) or unloading (58) preforms (12) comprising a neck (20) on a transporting element (14) which includes a device (28) for individually gripping one preform (12) by its neck, the loading or unloading device comprising: means for dispensing (32, 42) preforms which include means for individually receiving (42) each preform, the trajectory of the receiving means and the trajectory of the gripping means, in planar projection, being tangent in at least one intersecting point (P3, P4) wherein the preform (12) being in a gripping position, the neck (20) of the preform (12) is vertically arranged opposite the gripping member; means for synchronizing the movement of the receiving means relative to the movement of the gripping member. The invention is characterized in that the trajectory of the receiving means and the trajectory of the gripping member are superimposed along at least one intersecting line (P3-P1, P2-P4).

Abstract: A conveying device (1) for vertically transporting piece goods (3) with inner and outer conveying means (4, 5) and several platforms (11) that are coupled to the conveying means. The piece goods are fed to the platforms horizontally in a receiving region (14), the platforms lie horizontally while lifted in a lift region (12), and the platforms deliver the piece goods horizontally at a delivery region to a delivery conveyor (17). The conveying means are driven with a varying transport speed (F), such that the platforms pass through the deflecting region (6.2, 7.2) between the lift and discharge regions with a slower transport speed (Fn) while the platforms move with a faster transport speed (Fh) before and after they pass through the deflecting region. The varying transport speed (F) preferably has a period (P) which corresponds to the same mutual distance (T) between the platforms.

Abstract: A vial supply device 11 having a receiving section with a large capacity and capable of reliably discharging the vials includes: a receiving section 101 for receiving many empty vials 4; a conveyance unit 105 having a horizontal endless member 104 located at a bottom wall of the receiving section 101 and being configured to be driven in a horizontal direction, the conveyance unit being further configured to convey the vials 4 in a horizontal direction by using the horizontal endless member 104; and a discharge unit 111 having a vertical endless member 109 located at a wall of the receiving section 101 and being configured to be driven in a vertical direction, the discharge unit being further configured to lift the vials 4 upward and discharge the same while allowing the vials 4 to be horizontally supported at support members 110 located at the vertical endless member 109 at predetermined intervals.

Abstract: An arrangement for gathering and transporting print products, deposited straddling on a conveying device, includes a first conveying device including a first double chain having first and second strands and a second conveying device including a second double chain having first and second strands. A transfer region is provided in which the print products are transferred from the first conveying device to the second conveying device. The first and second double chains overlap in the transfer region such that the print products are transported in the transfer region with the aid of one strand on the first double chain and one strand on the second double chain.

Abstract: A system for transferring an object between driven conveyors comprising an upper conveyor comprising a discharge end, a first belt for transporting the object, the first belt engaging a first end roller and a gooseneck roller, where the first end roller is disposed below the gooseneck roller by a displacement sufficient to create a downward sloping section in the first belt; a transfer guide located adjacent to the discharge end of the upper conveyor, to receive the object from the downward sloping section; a lower conveyor comprising a second belt to receive the object from the transfer guide; and means for driving the upper conveyor and lower conveyor such that the first belt moves towards the transfer guide and the second belt moves away from transfer guide. A lower run of the first belt may be disposed above an upper run of the second belt by a belt spacing approximately equal to or less than the thickness of the object.

Abstract: A conveyor system transports a multiplicity of product items from an input portion to an output portion and is provided with a first conveyor that transports the product items from the input portion to a distal turnaround region. A second conveyor transports the product items from the distal turnaround region to a redistribution region. A first product transfer arrangement urges the product items from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A plurality of exit conveyors are arranged to be parallel to each other for transporting the product items from the redistribution region to a product exit region located at the output portion, and are arranged to transport the product items at a respectively associated rates of transport. A product redistribution arrangement directs the product items to respective input ends of the plurality of exit conveyors.

Abstract: A transport system for transport of containers has a switch with an entry zone, an exit zone with at least two different transport paths for conveying a container, and a switch mechanism for selectively controlling the transport of the container to the transport paths. During their travel, the containers are supported by a support assembly, and aligned and advanced in a controlled manner in the entry zone by an alignment and propulsion mechanism. A propulsion and guide assembly in the exit zone is rendered operative in response to a transport of the container along the transport paths and includes at least two modules which respectively cooperate with the transport paths and are disposed in the exit zone below the plane of the support assembly. The modules are hereby so controlled that only the one of the modules is raised into a plane above the plane of the support assembly, when the container is transported along the associated transport path.

Abstract: A chute system for selectively moving articles with little to no damage to such articles from a supply source oriented at a first level to a transversely moving conveying system oriented at a second lower level. The chute system includes a powered conveyor belt adapted for advancement of the conveyor belt at a known velocity and a guide operatively associated with the conveyor belt and adapted to shape the conveyor belt in a selected arcuate configuration to accommodate and facilitate translation of motion of such an article on the belt from a substantially vertical direction to a substantially horizontal direction. In a preferred embodiment the chute system includes a stop member to provide a stop for such articles upon movement of such articles from the conveyor belt to such conveying system in order to accommodate selective lateral deposition of such articles onto such conveying system.

Abstract: A work conveying apparatus is comprised of a conveying rail for moving carriages with works and a returning rail for returning the carriages without works to the conveying rail. The returning rail is disposed along the conveying rail while being perpendicularly inclined from the conveying rail. Selector rails are disposed at both ends of the conveying rail, respectively. The selector rails are swingable between a horizontal position extending from the conveying rails and a vertical position extending from the returning rail. The selector rails are swung to transfer the carriages between the conveying rail and the returning rail.

Abstract: Holders (20) for articles such as newly-formed packets or groups of cigarettes are used to constrain and protect the articles while being conveyed by handling apparatus (22), e.g. in a packing machine (10). Holders (20) of similar external shape, adapted to interface with the handling apparatus, may be provided with differing internal features (28), adapted for receiving different articles, so that the articles may be readily conveyed by the same apparatus. The apparatus may be employed at the exit end of a cigarette packing machine to maintain the shape of newly-formed packets in a packet stabilising region. This region may comprise a reservoir including a series of compartmented drums (24,26) in which each compartment receives a line of abutting holders which is indexed in an axial direction during rotation of the drums.

Abstract: A system for discharging material, having a material holding container, a first material transport device, to transport material from the material holding container, a second material transport device, to deliver material from the first material transport device to a desired location remote from the vehicle and a material hold-down device arranged on the second material transport device. The material hold-down device is movable between a raised position and a lowered position, and holds material securely on the second material transport device until the material has been accelerated up to the desired travel speed. The material hold-down device has a first wheel shaft with a first wheel and a second wheel, a second wheel shaft with a third wheel and an endless belt running from the first wheel shaft to the second wheel shaft and resting upon the first wheel, the second wheel and the third wheel. The first and second wheel shafts are connected by a frame device.

Abstract: A transfer valve assembly (10) for use as a feed valve or a discharge valve includes a series of open-faced pockets (46) biased by leaf springs (48) off of a central hub (44) and an arcuate saddle piece (22) mounted at an opening (14) of a sterilizer vessel (12) for transferring containers from an infeed conveyor (34) onto an interior reel (18). The engagement of open-faced pockets (46) with saddle (22) creates a seal to prevent the escape of steam, but gaps are provided between pockets (46) which allow for a controlled escape of steam in a manner that allows the pressure within the sterilizer vessel to be maintained at a slightly elevated level.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for precise electrolytic precipitation and etching of metals up to the marginal area of printed-circuit board and printed-circuit film panel in a continuous-cycle plant. In continuous-cycle plants, the panels are grasped by clips at least at one edge. The clips are used for current supply to the panels and, if necessary, for transporting the latter. Among other factors, owing to the shielding effect of the clips there are great plate thickness differences in the marginal area of the panels. This marginal area cannot be used for precise printed-circuit boards. The invention improves the plate thickness distribution in this marginal area by separating the plant into several partial plants and a defined offset V of the clip gripping points from plant part to plant part. The offset is preferably adjusted to values corresponding to the quotient of the clip distance T and the number of subsequently arranged plant parts.

Abstract: The disclosed device allows individual transfer of flat objects from an input conveyor on which the objects move in a same plane according to a given direction into receptacles moving at right angles with respect to the direction. It is comprised of a sequentially driven reception conveyor intended to receive one by one the objects resting in a position slightly inclined with respect to the vertical, and a transfer member moving in synchronism with the conveyor in order to transfer to an injection position towards a receptacle the lower edge of an object resting on the reception conveyor. The device may be used in a postal sorting machine.

Abstract: Products fed by a first conveyor at substantially constant speed along a first substantially circular path and inside respective first seats are transferred successively into respective second seats on a second conveyor by which each second seat is advanced at a speed equal to that of the first conveyor along a second path tangent to the first path; which transfer is effected by a pusher and a counterpusher cooperating respectively with the first and second conveyors, and moving both parallel and perpendicular to the respective path;the pusher moving, during transfer, both parallel and perpendicular to the second path and in time with the counterpusher.

Abstract: An output conveyor unit for rigid hinged-lid cigarette packing machines, whereby a first conveyor, consisting of a packing wheel, successively feeds the semifinished packets to respective seats on a drying conveyor, each seat having a movable wall which is moved by an actuating element as the packet is inserted inside the seat, and then released for axially compressing the packet and maintaining it in the correct drying position.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring small goods from a main conveyor belt onto a branch-off conveyor belt, the apparatus including a pivotal lateral guide perpendicular to the conveyor belt. The main conveyor belt as well as the beginning of the branch-off conveyor belt are provided with a pivotal module, with each module including two lateral conveyor belts that are perpendicular to the conveyor belt and the lateral conveyor belts of the pivotal module of the main conveyor belt have the same length while the lateral conveyor belts of the pivotal module of the branch-off conveyor belt have different lengths, with the difference in length corresponding to the offset of the lateral conveyor belts of the main conveyor belt in the pivoted-out state.

Abstract: A transfer station for transfer of material from a longwall face to the gate or roadway employs a box frame uniting a scraper-chain face conveyor with a scraper-chain gate or roadway conveyor. An opening in the tray of the face conveyor inside the box frame allows material to pass from the top run of the face conveyor to the top run of the gate conveyor. A plate like pivotal supporting element is mounted so as to be adjustable from a stowage position into a set out position and vice versa. In the set out position the support element bridges over the opening in the tray and therefore prevents a collision between the scraper-chain assemblies of the face and gate conveyors during the return of the face conveyor.

Abstract: A turnover module for turning over envelopes comprises a plurality of pulleys and disposed thereabout a driven endless belt in the general shape of a flattened figure `8`. The belt includes a crossover region and a first and a second reach extending therethrough. The reaches contact one another resiliently along length portions thereof while crossing over and twisting about one another. Envelopes are received in a first orientation at an entry end of the reaches; nipped between the reaches; transported thereby through the crossover region while being turned over by virtue of the twist of the reaches about one another; and, delivered from the turnover module in a second orientation.

Abstract: A double-belt conveyor band with a continuously revolving conveyor band, the belt of which is supported on a band feeder and in connection with a steep segment on trough roller assemblies, and is supported flatly on the steep segment, as well as with a continuously revolving covering band. The belt is buckled in the conveyor seam for the formation of closed conveyor spaces, preferably between traction reinforcements positioned externally, the shear-resistant lateral reinforcements acting in cooperation therewith. The belt ends are pressed on one another and the longitudinal edges of the belt are held together. It is provided in accordance with the invention that, in order to hold together the belts on both longitudinal edges of the cover band, fasteners projecting externally are provided with opposing apertures to which the longitudinal edges of the conveyor belt, during the running of the trough roller assemblies, approach or move away from during the running of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A belt conveyer system where along various sections great differences in height must be overcome. A conveyer belt that is initially spread flat is guided in steeply inclined stretches to form a closed hose. To satisfactorily transport, without loss, even difficult-to-handle, fine-particled material, the transition from a steep section into a horizontal section, or even to a discharge station, the steadily opening cross-sectional area is a critical process. To avoid the danger of disruption, a cover belt is provided that extends over the transition zone. The lower run of this cover belt extends into the opening hose cross-section of the conveyer belt, rests directly upon the transported material, and is supported on both sides on the edges of the conveyer belt.

Abstract: A sawing machine having rollers which laterally guide a log and feed it upon a transporting chain between and under rollers to sawblades of the saw machine, such as circular saws or a band saw. Above the log there in a staying chain which stays the log by means of staying spikes acting on the log's surface. The feed chain below the log carries supporting members which support the log at a plurality of points and maintain its unchanged position relative to the sawblades, and are particularly useful for sawing crooked logs to avoid uneven and unaesthetic saw cuts.

Abstract: A self-tracking roller comprised of a plurality of individual elements is presented. These elements alternate between evenly distributed idler rings and spacer rings arranged in two groups having a central space therebetween. This central space permits two superimposed dual belts to form a sandwich for conveying solid material therein. Each idler or tracking ring has a conical shaped configuration which acts to urge a conveyor belt thereon toward the center of the roller. The relative dimensions and number of rings may be flexibly varied depending on the application. The result is a self-tracking roller aptly suited for use in conjunction with dual or sandwich conveyor belt systems.

Abstract: A belt conveyor for steep or vertical conveyance of bulk material has a conveyor belt (1) of the type having corrugated side walls which travels upstream and downstream of the upper discharge end drum (9) along a steep incline or in the vertical direction, that is, there is no additional deflection means at the upper end of the conveying track.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging cigarettes includes a magazine 35 for supplying cigarette groups 23 to pockets 71 of a first revolver 66, whereafter they are transferred into foil lined pockets 74 of a second revolver 67 and then into paper lined pockets 91 of a third revolver 68. The revolvers are continuously driven, and the groups are always oriented with their wide front or rear faces outermost in the pockets to implement smooth tangential transfer between the revolvers. A curved stripper and guide bar 94 enters through the sides of the first revolver pockets to transfer the groups to the second revolver. Transfer between the second and third revolvers is made by simultaneously decreasing the radial depth of the second revolver pockets and increasing the radial depth of the third revolver pockets at a transfer station 89.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for separating good raisins from moldy raisins. The apparatus comprises two conveyor belts which are rotatably mounted to a frame by suitable rollers. The belts are oriented so as to overlap one another slightly, and such that the overlapping portions exert a slight amount of pressure on the raisins as they pass through the overlapping portions. Both belts are simultaneously driven by a single motor so as to travel at the same speed.In use, an untreated mixture of good and moldy raisins is deposited onto the lower belt so as to form a single layer. As the raisins pass through the overlapping portions of the upper belt and the lower belt, the moldy raisins adhere to one of the belts, and the good raisins drop downward from between the belts. The moldy raisins are thereafter scraped from the belts, and the moldy raisins and good raisins are separately collected and stored.

Abstract: An installation for assembling and/or machining parts manually and/or automatically, the installation comprising a plurality of stations or modules through which part-carrying platens move along a path comprising successive horizontal path portions extending at right angles to one another. The platens are driven along successive path portions by successive belts which at least partially support the platens, the improvement being that each module has as many belts (93, 99, 118) as it has perpendicular path portions, with each belt comprising an endless loop having a driving portion (95) and a return portion (94).

Abstract: A bulk goods unloading apparatus for ships or other similar transport vehicles is disclosed. The bulk goods unloading apparatus basically comprises a gantry, movable alongside the transport vehicle, the gantry being provided with a swiveling cantilever system rotating around a first vertical axis. A conveyor belt is provided which runs parallel to the cantilever system. The free end of the cantilever system is provided with a supporting frame which carries a paddle wheel bulk goods pickup device rotatable about a horizontal axis. The supporting frame, itself pivotable about a second vertical axis, is provided with a C-shaped vertical conveyor, which is arranged between the discharge area of the paddle wheel and the charge end of the conveyor belt of the cantilever system.

Abstract: A cover belt conveyor in which each of two conveyor belts have lateral corrugated edges or waved ridges of a substantially common height. The conveyor belts are mutually supported on the heads of the waved ridges to form a large conveying space therebetween. By the provision of interengaging profile knobs at the waved ridges which interengage like meshing teeth, engagement of the conveyor belts is maintained without the need for drums or rollers pressing the two belts against each other.