Abstract: Apparatus and methods relating to a self cleaning belt conveyor for transporting a substrate through a chamber are provided. One embodiment of the apparatus provides a belt conveyor apparatus for transporting a substrate through a chamber comprising at least one endless belt having a conveying surface, wherein the conveying surface comprises one or more raised components for supporting the substrate and maintaining a gap between the conveying surface and the substrate, and two or more cylindrical shafts coupled with the at least one endless belt wherein the at least one endless belt is tensioned around the two or more cylindrical shafts and wherein the two or more cylindrical shafts are rotatable to move the conveying surface.

Abstract: A conveyor comprises two endless conveyor belts (1, 2) arranged in parallel. The upper surface of each conveyor belt (1, 2) includes an array of belt rollers (3), each belt roller arranged to rotate with movement of the conveyor belts about an axis at an oblique angle to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belts (1, 2). The conveyor also includes a respective drive mechanism arranged to drive each conveyor belt (1, 2). Each drive mechanism is arranged to drive the associated conveyor belt (1, 2) selectively in a forward direction and a reverse direction independently of the direction of drive of the other conveyor belt (2, 1). The axes of the belt rollers (3) are aligned such that when each conveyor belt (1, 2) is driven in the forward direction, the belt rollers (3) of the conveyor belt (1, 2) rotate about their axes to urge an object on the upper surface of the conveyor belt (1, 2) towards the other conveyor belt (1, 2).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an endless conveyor belt comprises providing a flexible web in the form of a PTFE cross film laminate which in its as laminated state has a first length and a first lengthwise yield strength. The web is prestressed by lengthwise stretching to a second length greater than its as laminated first length to thereby achieve a second lengthwise yield strength greater than its as laminated first lengthwise yield strength. The ends of the prestressed web are then interconnected.

Abstract: A conveyor for clean manufacturing applications. The conveyor comprises interconnected conveyor modules, each of which includes a conveyor belt segment (s). Each conveyor belt segment includes a pair of side rails that are in parallel or substantially in parallel to each other; a pair of autonomous, belt-drives for transporting work pieces or objects carrying work pieces from a proximal end of the belt segment to a distal end of the belt segment; a pair of driving wheels for turning the belt-drives, and a motor for directly or indirectly driving each of the pair of driving wheels. One of the driving wheels is mechanically or magnetically coupled to a magnetic hysteresis clutch that allows the driving wheels to disengage from the drive shaft of the motor if the inertia of the work piece does not permit synchronization of work piece with the drive speed of the motor during acceleration or deceleration.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly is provided for accumulating and discharging a column of evenly spaced items. The conveyor assembly includes a receiving conveyor, a discharge conveyor and a belt guiding carriage. The receiving and discharge conveyors each include a plurality of round belts that are interlaced with the receiving belts being at a slightly higher elevation on the receiving end of the system and the discharge belts being at a slightly higher elevation on the discharge end. Both sets of belts pass through a movable carriage that guides the receiving belts from the upper elevation to the lower elevation and the discharge belts from the lower elevation to the upper elevation so that the receiving belts are at a higher elevation on the receiving end of the carriage and the discharge belts are at a higher elevation on the discharge end of the carriage.

Abstract: A clamping device (50) is installed on a stand (10) with a hollow rectangular parallelepiped shape such that at least one place at a side edge portion of a mother board transported in the stand (10) is clamped. A pair of substrate-cutting devices for cutting the mother substrate, clamped by the clamping device (50), from its upper face and lower face is provided on a scribing device guide body (30). The scribing device guide body (30) is reciprocally movable along one side of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped. The pair of substrate-cutting devices is installed so as to be movable along the direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the scribing device guide body (30). The mother substrate clamped by the clamping device is supported by a substrate-supporting device (20).

Abstract: A system includes a high speed reciprocating mold plate patty-forming machine and a downstream patty presser. The high speed patty forming machine provides patties at a high production speed onto an output conveyor portion. The patty presser includes an upper conveyor having an upper endless belt. The upper conveyor is located above the output conveyor, wherein facing belt surfaces of the upper and lower endless belts define a path between the upper and lower conveyors. The upper conveyor has a tilted section such that a first clearance at an input to the path is equal to or greater than a thickness of the patties and a second clearance at an outlet of the inlet length is less than a thickness of the patties at the input of the path. A shuttle conveyor is arranged at the output of the path and delivers patties to an indexing packaging machine.

Abstract: Self-adhesive labels are formed by repetitively cutting linerless web material which is fed from a roll into and through a rotary knife cutter. The labels are then transported to and applied to articles. To improve cutting of the web and labeling, the web and or labels are contoured, e.g., they are made concave, in a plane transverse to the direction of flow path. To contour the web or labels, alternative endless belt arrangements are used, wherein the center line of the adhesive side of the web is adhered to a belt surface. Preferably, a one-piece belt having spaced apart and movable lengthwise portions is used. Different transport velocities are used for web fed to the cutter and for labels taken-away from the cutter. Cutter motion, and thus label length, in forming either linerless and lined labels, is controlled according to how printed indicia bar marks on the web are severed into portions; alternatively, according to whether or not the cut falls between two spaced apart printed indicia.

Abstract: A curved belt conveyor includes at least two zones, each of which may be defined by a motorized roller and at least one idler roller which are positioned along and between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor, and a continuous belt reeved around the rollers. The conveyor includes a tracking means for tracking the belt on the rollers. The tracking means is substantially contained between the sidewalls of the conveyor and laterally inward of the outer and inner ends of the rollers. The tracking means may comprise a tracking roller positioned along a lower surface of one of the rollers and may engage the lower run of the belt with an upper surface of the tracking roller to maintain the belt in a proper position around the rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly includes a conveyor belt to move an item, a drive pulley driven by a motor and a non-drive pulley. The conveyor belt includes a v-belt on the inner surface of the conveyor belt proximate to both of the edges. Each v-belt is received in a groove in the drive pulley and the non-drive pulley. The engagement of the v-belts in the grooves prevent lateral movement of the conveyor belt during use. The conveyor belt also includes an edge seal positioned around both the opposing edges of the conveyor belt. Alternately, the conveyor belt assembly includes two conveyor belts assemblies pressed together and separated by a gap.

Abstract: A curved belt conveyor includes at least two zones, each of which may be defined by a motorized roller and at least one idler roller which are positioned along and between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor, and a continuous belt reeved around the rollers. The conveyor includes a tracking means for tracking the belt on the rollers. The tracking means is substantially contained between the sidewalls of the conveyor and laterally inward of the outer and inner ends of the rollers. The tracking means may comprise a tracking roller positioned along a lower surface of one of the rollers and may engage the lower run of the belt with an upper surface of the tracking roller to maintain the belt in a proper position around the rollers.

Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making articles of manufacture, in particular, conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost and are easy to clean.

Abstract: A machine for inspecting containers has a belt drive having upper and lower pairs of belt drives. Each belt drive has its own motor and each opposed pair of belt drives can be relatively horizontally displaced and as a unit displace vertically so that 1. the upper drive belt pair can be raised clear of the lower drive belt pair; 2. the lower drive belt pair can be separated and lowered to an out of the way location; and 3. the upper drive belt pair can then be lowered to be the only belt pair engaging a small container.

Abstract: A method and an assembly is disclosed for sorting rolls of paper and paperboard web for shipment into a desired sequence based on customer orders, in which method and assembly a roll to be sortedis imported to an infeed conveyor (2), and from at least two first conveyors (3, 4, 5) is selected a suitable conveyor onto which the roll is transferred. Subsequently, the roll is transferred onto the selected conveyor so that its leading end remains at the receiving end of said selected conveyor, and the rolls are transferred onto the first conveyors (3, 4, 5) in a similar fashion so that the rolls thus placed onto the conveyors remain in a close disposition to each other so as to form a group of end-to-end abutting rolls until at least one of the first conveyors contains a roll group forming a unit load for an upender lift.

Abstract: A curved belt conveyor includes at least two zones, each of which may be defined by a motorized roller and at least one idler roller which are positioned along and between opposite sidewalls of the conveyor, and a continuous belt reeved around the rollers. The conveyor includes a tracking means for tracking the belt on the rollers. The tracking means is substantially contained between the sidewalls of the conveyor and laterally inward of the outer and inner ends of the rollers. The tracking means may comprise a tracking roller positioned along a lower surface of one of the rollers and may engage the lower run of the belt with an upper surface of the tracking roller to maintain the belt in a proper position around the rollers.

Abstract: A device for receiving and transporting objects has at least one pair of parallel chains or belts situated opposite each other and driven in synchrony, which define a space between each other for transporting the objects therethrough. Each chain has at least one gripper which is mounted so as to be pivotable thereon and faces a corresponding gripper on the other chain. Each gripper has an extension which is moveable along a guiding path. The guiding path has a path section sloped with respect to the direction of transport of the objects at the point of receipt of the objects, so that, when the chain is moving, the extension of the gripper is deflected along the sloped path section and thus a rotational movement countering the translational movement caused by the chain is imparted to the gripper. Thus no rotational movement occurs at the moment of contact between the gripper and the object.

Abstract: Flat items (2) which have an irregular and/or changeable thickness profile are individualized from a substantially lying stack (3/5), wherein the stack serves as buffer between the individualization and the supply of the items (2) and wherein the items (2) arranged in the stack are guided in a stack channel (1) towards the individualization. In order to allow individualization speeds in the range of several tens of thousands of items per hour, the items (2) are supplied to a pre-stack (3) in which the items are conveyed towards individualization in a loose order and being individually laterally guided, the pre-stack (3) is transformed into an individualizing stack (5) and the items are individualized only from the individualizing stack (5). In the individualizing stack (5) the items (2) are guided and conveyed and held in a stable order as a stack, i.e. with forces transmitted via the items.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for changing the position of chains of sausages in sausage production processes with two endless conveying belts which convey the sausages of the chain of sausages over a first length in a first direction and which then deflect the chain of sausages into a second direction and convey it over a second length in said second direction, the distance between the conveying belts being chosen such that it is larger during transport in said second direction than during transport in said first direction, for use in transferring a chain of sausages from a twist-off station to a suspension station.

Abstract: A dual belt conveyor includes a pair of flexible endless loop conveyor belts arranged at an incline with a lower flight of the upper belt in face-to-face conveying relationship with an upper flight of the lower belt to retain and convey granular material between the belts. Drive pulleys are connected to both belts to move the belts at the same speed, and the conveying flights of the belts are journaled through a trough which forces the belts into a curved concave orientation between the side edges with the upper belt biased downwardly into engagement with product on the lower belt to retain product therebetween.

Abstract: A conveyer device for bookbinding machines having a number of processing stations and having plate or cleated chains or the like which take over book blocks and convey them intermittently to the processing stations. The plate or cleated chains are driven in a circulating manner and have chain beams that act in opposite directions to one another. The chain beams include longitudinal bearers and longitudinal guides on which strands of the plate or cleated chains are supported. In order to shorten the set-up time, the distance of the chain beams of the plate or cleated chains from one another is varied by a setting drive via setting members for the purpose of adapting to different thicknesses of book blocks. The thickness of a particular book block is automatically determined in the setting-up operation via a measuring arrangement in the intake.

Abstract: A conveyor plant for gathering and processing printed sheets includes a saddle-shaped collecting chain, a double chain with a gap between the individual chains of the double chain, a transfer area in which the collecting chain travels into the gap of the double chain, and carrier members for the printed sheets arranged successively on the collecting chain. The carrier members are mounted on the collecting chain in an upright position. The carrier members of the collecting chain are inclined forwardly at least in the travel direction.

Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: A conveying device for book binding machines having continous plate or cleated chains or similar conveying machanism. The conveying device includes oppositely disposed logitudinal guides which support the plate or pleated chains for clamping inner books or books therebetween. In a defined subsection of the conveying device, apparatus are provided for opening and closing the subsection for releasing and capturing the book or inner book. Such apparatus includes working cylinders which act on sections of the longitudinal guides, and thereby the plate or cleated chain, to increase or decrease the distance between the longitudinal guides in the subsection.

Abstract: A conveyor chain includes chain links connected by connecting pins. Each chain link is provided with a bottle conveyor member attached to a main offset link member having a pin link, a bushing, and a conveyor member attachment plate of a synthetic resin or plastics. The conveyor chain is supported by sprocket wheels and chain guidance members to configure a conveyor chain apparatus. The arrangement is such that a pair of the conveyor chain apparatuses are disposed on each side of a conveyor path for bottles and also a holder ring provided at a mouth portion of a bottle is held from both sides by the bottle conveyor members. The conveyor chain apparatus is configured so that bottles are conveyed thereby in a state suspended from neck portions thereof.

Abstract: A conveyor unit for a high wall mining system; a mining system employing a train of such units. The conveyor units are pushed in tandem into the mine. The system contemplates a motor mounted on a cutter at the head of the train; through a series of shafts and clutches, serially through the train of conveyor units, rotation power is transferred mechanically from the motor to turn the conveyor belts of the individual units. The invention includes a preferred coupling/clutch apparatus and a launch vehicle for adding conveyor units to the train which has the ability to start the rotation of the conveyor belt on the new unit as it is added.

Abstract: Described is a method of sorting a plurality of individually conveyed articles in groups in at least one sorting step in a suspension-type conveyor, the articles being introduced in substantially unsorted manner into a first conveyor circle and being delivered from said circle in sorted fashion to at least one second conveyor circle, with an identification source identifying every article to be conveyed individually. To be able to use such a method in a universal manner and to accelerate the sorting process, the articles are delivered in a partial quantity containing a predetermined number in a first sorting step, independently of the loaded state of the first conveyor circle, from the first conveyor circle to the second conveyor circle as soon as the partial quantity of articles to be sorted in the first sorting step has been identified on the first conveyor circle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process and an apparatus for transporting pack rows. When a pack string (12) formed from several superposed rows (13, 14, 15, 16) of cuboid packs (10) is transported, it is required to compensate misalignments of the individual rows (13 . . 16). A correct relative position is to be ensured in order to permit a transverse transfer of pack groups (11) formed from a portion of the pack string (12). A row which lies behind in the transport direction is conveyed further by an associated additional conveyor in the form of conveyor belts (28) until it reaches the correct relative position. The adjustment of the rows (13 . . 16) is carried out at the end of a conveying cycle, when the pack string (12) runs up against a stop (guide 18). A row which lies behind is conveyed further by the conveyor belts (28) until it contacts the stop.

Abstract: A method for removing exterior material from vials following a serpentine path through various steps of cleaning and drying. The movement of the vials may be limited to a predetermined path formed as an elongated opening in a sheet of material. The sheet may be replaced with a similar sheet with a different width of opening for bottles of differing sizes. The vials are rotated as they move along the path which may be accomplished by slight deviations in the straight sections of the elongated slot such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal wave. Changing the sheet can alter the number of straight path segments and thus the overall path of the vials through the equipment. The cleaning of the vials may include a washing with detergent, water rinsing, and air and vacuum drying. Air is drawn through the paths to produce a completely dry product. Liquid is removed from the vials' bottoms by a vacuum underneath the paths.

Abstract: Provided is a dough slice conveying apparatus in which a dough slice can peel off from the reversing part in the terminal of a front side conveyer belt without being deformed and without being dropped between the front side conveyer belt and the rear side conveyer belt, and is then transferred onto and conveyed by the rear side conveyer belt without being folded but in an unfolded condition. The dough slice conveying apparatus is provided with a knife edge having a front end part whose curvature is 2.1T to 11.7T where T is a thickness of the dough slice, and the space between the reversing part in the terminal of the front side conveyer belt and the reversing part in the start end of the rear side conveyer belt is set to less than 0.1R where R is a minimum diameter of the dough slice.

Abstract: A sheet-guiding assembly in a sheet delivery system of a sheet-fed printing press includes a plurality of sheet grippers disposed on at least one endlessly revolving chain of a first gripper system for gripping a leading edge of a sheet, and a plurality of after-grippers disposed on at least one endlessly revolving chain of a second gripper system for gripping a trailing edge of the sheet, the sheet delivery system being extended in length and defining a horizontal transport path for the sheet therethrough, the first and second gripper systems being disposed so as to be adjustable in phase with respect to one another at the extended sheet delivery system, the sheet grippers and the after-grippers being attached to the first and the second gripper systems, respectively, for holding the sheet by the leading and trailing edges thereof, respectively, on the horizontal transport path of the sheet over the length of the sheet delivery system.

Abstract: An endless belt conveyor has vertically spaced, oppositely moving, upper and lower load carrying runs having entrance and exit ends, with the entrance end of one run being adjacent to the exit end of the other run. A first series of rollers disposed between the exit end of the upper run and the entrance end of the lower run direct the belt downwardly, around a drive roller driven by a first drive unit, around a dynamic takeup roller, toward the entrance end of the lower run along a first depressed section of belt travel below the level of the lower run, and upwardly to the entrance end of the lower run from a static takeup installed below the lower run.

Abstract: A vial washer in which the vials follow a serpentine path through several stages of cleaning. A sheet having the serpentine path in the form of an elongated slot guides the vials through their washing. Conveyor belts moving in opposite directions underneath the elongated slot move the vials in the directions through the equipment. The conveyor belts have an open grid allow for the passage of the cleaning liquids through them. The sheet with the cut-out slot may be replaced with a similar sheet with a different width of opening for bottles of differing sizes. The cleaning may include one or more stages of a detergent wash, water rinse, and air and vacuum drying. Slight deviations in the straight sections of the elongated slot will cause the vials to rotate so that all sides become clean.

Abstract: A transfer station for transfer of material from a longwall face to a gate or roadway of a mine working employs a box frame in which the two runs of a scraper-chain face and gate conveyors intersect. A driving drum for the face conveyor is mounted in a housing in the box frame. A baffle plate cover in the form of a pivotal flap which can be locked in the closed position is arranged on an end face of the housing receiving the chain drum. The pivotal flap preferably consists of two flap doors which can be hinged outwardly on opposing sides so that the chain drum is accessible from the exterior.

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 device by which commodities emerging in single file from a supply unit are formed into groups and transferred to a wrapping machine includes feed belts, by which the single commodities are directed from the supply unit to a transfer station, a traversing system by which rows of the commodities are diverted repeatedly from the single file at right angles to the initial feed direction, a conveyor belt moving in a direction parallel to that of the single file and by which the formed groups are transferred toward the wrapping machine, and a plurality of bays provided by the conveyor belt. Each bay is designed to accommodate a plurality of the rows diverted to accommodate a plurality of the rows diverted in succession from the single file of commodities and making up one group.

Abstract: A freight discharge assembly particularly for a unit of railway hopper wagons (10) comprising an endless conveyor (30) arranged to run under the hoppers to receive material falling from the hoppers under gravity, a drive drum (36) at each end of the unit for selectively driving the endless belt in either direction each drive drum being mounted on arms (38) pivotally mounted on the unit whereby each loop of the endless belt around each drum (36) can be moved away from the unit.

Abstract: A mailing machine in which the mail is directed to a weighing station and laterally deflected at the weighing station, to enable overlap in the feeding of mailpieces to the weighing station. The weighing station includes means for stopping the mailpieces from movement in the direction in which they had been transported thereto. The transport path of the mail in the machine may be vertically V-shaped, or horizontally in parallel paths that are preferably in opposite directions. The input feeder may include two serially coupled horizontal conveyors for conveying horizontal stacks or vertical oriented envelopes, with the first of the conveyors running a slower speed than the last conveyor. A vertical conveyor advantageous transports the envelopes from the last horizontal conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating articles advanced in series and in a mutually contacting relationship, includes a first conveyor advancing the articles in a series and in contact with one another on a first conveyor surface, and a second conveyor arranged for receiving articles from the first conveyor and advancing the articles in series on a second conveyor surface. The second conveyor has a conveying speed greater than that of the first conveyor, whereby the articles are advanced on the second conveyor surface in a spaced relationship to one another. There is further provided a third conveyor having article carriers which convey the articles downstream of the second conveyor surface as viewed in a direction of article advance. A suction device generates, in zones of the first and second conveyors, a force exerted on the articles and oriented for pressing the articles against the first and second conveyor surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting folded sheets has one or two pairs of chain conveyors whose horizontal upper reaches define two spaced-apart portions of a first path for the transport of successive folded sheets of a series of sheets in such a way that the sheets ride on the pairs of conveyors in inverted positions (with the backs on top). An additional chain conveyor has a horizontal upper run defining a second horizontal path between the first and second portions of the first path to transfer the sheets from the first to the second portion of the first pair. The additional chain conveyor advances successive sheets along a stationary ramp which pivots the panels of the sheets apart so that the thus exposed inner sides of the panels are accessible for the application of printed information, labels or the like. The speed of the additional conveyor can slightly exceed the speed of the other chain conveyor or conveyors.

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: The present invention is an improved extractor (10) for removing a liquid from a solid carrier medium in which the liquid is entrained. The extraction process is accomplished by utilizing both percolation and immersion removal methods. The extractor (10) includes a plurality of pools (12, 12') through which the solid entraining the liquid therein is moved in a direction counter-flow to that in which a solvent passes through the extractor (10). Percolation removal is effected at the overflow (48, 48') of each pool (12, 12') as solvent washes through the solids being processed. Immersion is effected at the lower end of a sloped floor (22, 22') of each pool (12, 12') where the solids are soaked in the solvent. A final percolation bath (14) can be provided as a last stage of the extractor (10).

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: A conveyor device has two endless conveyor belts extending in alignment and advancing in the same direction of (X--X), the adjacent ends of the belts being oriented diagonally with respect to the direction. During transfer between the two belts the products gradually abandon the first belt and pass gradually onto the second belt. This avoids any stumbling of the products, even when these are of narrow and elongate form.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the covering of playing balls, in particular tennis balls, utilize two essentially dumbbell-shaped cover parts and apply the parts interlockingly at an angle of 90.degree., successively to the adhesive coated ball core by rolling over the laid out, dumbbell-shaped cover parts. The cover parts are stacked to form a magazine and are provided with a layer of an adhesive so that only their peripheral surfaces are coated. The adhesive coated ball cores are rolled successively, initially by means of a contact pressure device in the longitudinal direction over a first cover part magazine and subsequently by means of a second contact pressure device and second cover part magazine extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the first cover part magazine. The edge of the second cover part engages the bight of the cover part already in position at a decorative seam gap.

Abstract: An endless conveyor system for moving load bearing units along a path defined by the conveyor system which has a discontinuity or gap along the path such as may be required to accommodate a conveyor system drive or tensioning device. The endless conveyor system includes a transfer station located at the discontinuity or gap to move the load bearing units across the discontinuity without interruption to the flow of load bearing units along the path.

Abstract: A series of individual conveyor assemblies each having an independent endless belt conveyor extending longitudinally thereon are positioned in overlapping relationship. Each conveyor assembly includes a pivotal section adjacent a material receiving end portion thereof and is pinned to a material discharge end portion of a preceding section. The material discharge end portion overlies the material receiving end portion. The pivotal section connecting adjacent conveyors maintains the end portions thereof in material conveying relation as the assemblies extend along a curved path through the mine. A support beam is secured to the mine roof above the connected conveyor assemblies. Each conveyor assembly adjacent the receiving end portions thereof is secured to the support beam by a roller assembly that is longitudinally movable on guide tracks of the support beam.

Abstract: An accumulator is provided for use with a production line formed by two or more standardized modular production units for receiving product supporting carriers in sequence from one production unit, advancing the carriers along a serpentine path of travel of a given length, and for thereafter advancing the carriers onto the next production unit. The accumulator includes a plurality of side-by-side conveyors and corresponding passive turnaround guide bars responsive to motion imparted to the carriers by next adjacent conveyors moving in opposite directions for deflecting the carriers from one conveyor to the next adjacent conveyor while at the same time effecting the turning of the carriers through approximately 180.degree..

Abstract: Two pairs of spaced conveyor chains 18, 19 and 20, 21 are disposed one inside the other, and traverse identical rectangular runs between an infeed station 28 and an outfeed station 58. Each pair carries a respective serial array of pickup devices 22-23 and 33-41 arranged in two oppositely spaced groups for accommodating rolls of paper towels or the like. The conveyor chain pairs are independently driven by separate motors 6, 7 in such a manner that while one group of pickup devices is being intermittently stepped or indexed through the infeed station for loading, the other, previously loaded group is continuously advanced to the outfeed station for unloading and thereafter back to the vacated infeed station.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bulk material handling system particularly adapted for underground mining and includes a monorail supported overhead and carrying a plurality of conveyors each having input and output end portions with the output end portion of a first of the conveyors positioned above an input end portion of a second of the conveyors, a device for imparting motion to the conveyors to move the material from the input end portions toward the output end portions thereof, a device for supporting at least one of the input and output end portions of the first and second conveyors from the monorail, and the supporting device including a plurality of trolleys rollingly supported by the monorail whereby the conveyors can be readily moved therealong.