Abstract: A method for moulding a sheet into a component of complex shape having areas with different mechanical properties, particularly a motor-vehicle component, includes a first heating step of the sheet carried out by a kiln, prior to forming the component. The kiln has a main body with a roller shape, having a plurality of sectors extending along a radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the roller body. The sectors are configured to each receive a sheet, so that the main body with a roller shape is arranged to simultaneously carry a plurality of sheets. The kiln includes a plurality of heating elements incorporated in the roller-shaped main body, so as to heat the sheets in contact with the roller body. The kiln includes at least one electronically-controlled drive motor, arranged to rotate the roller-shaped main body around the longitudinal axis of the kiln, so as to vary the position of the sectors with respect to the inlet and outlet ports.

Abstract: A conveyor system for grouping containers including a conveyor module configured to convey and meter a stream of containers of various dimensions a first star wheel and a second star wheel configured to move a plurality of first containers along a first travel path, wherein the first containers each have a first geometric center, and wherein the first travel path is defined by the geometric center of the first containers, and a third star wheel and a fourth star wheel configured to move a plurality of second containers along a second travel path, wherein the second containers each have a second geometric center, and wherein the second travel path is defined by the geometric center of the second containers, wherein the first travel path and the second travel path are substantially similar.

Abstract: A conveyor employs an infeed assembly and outfeed assembly, each comprising a nosebar assembly that may be mounted to a conveyor frame to transition a conveyor belt between a returnway and a carryway. The outfeed assembly further includes a drive sprocket and a limiter to ensure engagement of drive elements on the conveyor belt with the drive sprockets. A limiter plate ensures proper placement of the limiter relative to the drive sprocket. The infeed assembly and outfeed assembly components may be easily mounted to and removed from the conveyor frame to facilitate replacement, cleaning or maintenance.

Abstract: A conveyor employs an infeed assembly and outfeed assembly, each comprising a nosebar assembly that may be mounted to a conveyor frame to transition a conveyor belt between a returnway and a carryway. The outfeed assembly further includes a drive sprocket and a limiter to ensure engagement of drive elements on the conveyor belt with the drive sprockets. A limiter plate ensures proper placement of the limiter relative to the drive sprocket. The infeed assembly and outfeed assembly components may be easily mounted to and removed from the conveyor frame to facilitate replacement, cleaning or maintenance.

Abstract: A conveyance device 1 for movement, within a strapping machine 100, of a succession of bundles 2 of flat objects. A first conveyor 10 moves each bundle 2 from an assembly zone to a transfer zone. A second conveyor 40 moves each bundle 2 from the transfer zone to a strapping zone. The first conveyor 10 longitudinally guides the stack of flat objects during the formation of each bundle 2 in the assembly zone, and longitudinally holds the bundle 2 during its movement from the assembly zone to the transfer zone.

Abstract: There is disclosed a conveying apparatus for articles, provided with a first conveyor having an inlet section for articles to be conveyed and an outlet section for the articles, and with a second conveyor which can be selectively set in communication with a transfer section of the first conveyor; the first conveyor is selectively set in a first operative release configuration of the articles at the outlet section and in at least one second operative release configuration of the articles at its transfer section; the second conveyor is selectively set in a first operative withdrawal configuration of the articles from the first conveyor at its transfer section and at least in one second operative inhibition configuration of this withdrawal.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a related method for automatic transfer of socks (4) from a linking machine (2) to a sock-modeling piece for boarding operation (36) according to a predetermined orientation, the apparatus comprising reversing means (20) comprising feeding means (21) for picking up the sock (4) from a sewing station (22) of the linking machine and loading means (31) for automatically loading the sock (4) onto the sock-modeling piece, the reversing means (20) comprising a supporting element (23) and at least one pair of lower rollers (24) disposed around said supporting element (23).

Abstract: A system for forming and wrapping a plurality of stacks of sheet like product is provided. The system includes a separator apparatus for converting a stream of spaced apart sets of stacks into a repeating stepped configuration. The system includes a mechanism for merging the stepped configuration of stacks into a single file stream of stacks. The system includes a cutoff apparatus for cutting a plastic sleeve in which the stacks are wrapped. The system includes a turner apparatus for changing the direction of travel of individual units comprising of a stack of product within a length of the sleeve 90 degrees while maintaining the orientation of the units.

Abstract: A method of transferring items comprises feeding items toward a carrier mechanism from one or more input streams and engaging void areas in the items with one or more rods extending from the carrier mechanism. The method further comprises manipulating the carrier mechanism relative to the one or more input streams into a position substantially aligned with one or more output streams and feeding the items to the one or more output streams. The configuration of items in each input stream is different than the configuration of items in each output stream.

Abstract: Printed products (10) are conveyed to a transfer portion (22) by means of the grippers (14) of the gripper conveyor (12). The vacuum belt conveyor (26) suctions with its active strand (28) the respective end region (32) of the printed products (10), after which, close to the end of the (34) of the transfer portion (22), the grippers (14) respectively release the printed products (10). The motional path (38) of the gripper jaws (16) runs in the transfer portion (22) in the shape of an arc. The active strand (28) of the vacuum belt conveyor (26) runs in the transfer portion (22) at an approximately constant distance to the motional path (38). In the case of large processing capacities and correspondingly high velocities, a reliably secure, positionally stable transfer of the printed products (10) from the gripper conveyor (12) to the vacuum belt conveyor (26) is thereby ensured.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a related method for automatic transfer of socks (4) from a linking machine (2) to a sock-modelling piece for boarding operation (36) according to a predetermined orientation, the apparatus comprising reversing means (20) comprising feeding means (21) for picking up the sock (4) from a sewing station (22) of the linking machine and loading means (31) for automatically loading the sock (4) onto the sock-modelling piece, the reversing means (20) comprising a supporting element (23) and at least one pair of lower rollers (24) disposed around said supporting element (23).

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling injection devices includes first and second pairs of shafts spaced apart from one another and defining axes extending parallel to a first inclined axis. The shafts include grooves extending helically between ends of the shafts, the helical grooves together defining passages extending vertically between the shafts. The shafts are rotated about their axes such that the passages move between first and second ends of the shafts. Syringes are introduced into successive passages to carry the syringes downwardly along the inclined axis between the first and second ends of the shafts while maintaining the syringes oriented vertically and spaced apart. Guards are carried along a horizontal axis that converges with the inclined axis at a convergence region. The guards are spaced apart and suspended vertically below corresponding syringes such that the syringes are received in successive guards at the convergence region.

Abstract: For bartending, in order to avoid batch chilling of beer glasses and the like in which the last glasses put into a refrigerator are the first pulled out and are thus not properly chilled, a last in, last out glass chilling system provides a supply of properly chilled beer glasses even when newly washed warm glasses are to be chilled. In one embodiment, the last in, last out glass chilling system includes a series of trays on a conveyor in the cabinet, with each tray loaded with glasses. The conveyor moves the trays upwardly in the chill cabinet, with the chilling occurring during the time that the tray of glasses moves from a bottom position to a top position. This assures that, unlike batch chilling, properly chilled glasses are always available. In one embodiment, a tray of glasses is in inserted at the base of the chill cabinet, with the conveyor being motorized to move the trays within the chill cabinet in an upward direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting or sterilizing contaminated materials including a first worm screw (15) inside a pretreatment chamber (14) and a second worm screw (17) arranged close to the end of the first worm screw (15) and extending inside a treatment chamber (16). Elements are provided for sealing both ends of the treatment chamber (16) so that an elevated pressure can be maintained in the treatment chamber. Energy can be introduced into the treatment chamber in a controlled manner to supply or produce steam sufficient to create and maintain an elevated pressure and temperature needed to disinfect and/or sterilize the contaminated material. The pretreatment chamber (14) and the treatment chamber (16) are connected to each other by a reversing component (1) having two tube sections (2, 3) which form an angle relative to each other and which are secured to the pretreatment chamber (14) and the treatment chamber (16) by flanges (4, 5).

Abstract: A resin coating system includes a coating station for applying resin to dynamo-electric machine components such as electric motor armatures, one or more other stations adjacent to the coating station, a conveyor for transporting components through the coating station where the components are carried by holders holding at least one end of the components without touching the body portion of the components, another conveyor for transporting components through the other stations where the components are carried by holders supporting the body portion of the components, and a transfer device for transferring uncoated and coated components between the two conveyors. The holders attached to the conveyor in the coating station are capable of rotating the components about the longitudinal axis of each component during the coating operation for an even application of the resin to the component.

Abstract: A billet live roller bed upstream of cooling beds, where conveyor rollers designed in a worm or screw shaped manner and arranged to be parallel to the roller bed rollers transfer the rolled materials transversely to the conveyance direction onto the cooling bed, can be adapted to changing rolling speeds with small resources in machining technology, if the transverse conveyor rollers have screw turns with different pitches.

Abstract: Rows of bottles are conveyed on parallel running belts. Closed loop flexible members such as roller chains, run in vertical planes along the longitudinal edges of the belts in the same direction as the belts. The closed loop chains have stabilizing devices mounted to them for stabilizing the bottles in each row as they move along on the belts beyond a bottle infeed region. The stabilizing devices each constitute a pair of fingers that are pivotally mounted to pins that stand up from the closed loop chains and are spring biased so that they diverge at a predetermined angle from each other when they are not restrained from doing so. As the sets of fingers are carried around on the chain, they reach a region where the bottles are deposited on the belts. At least in this region, the fingers of the stabilizing devices arrive between parallel plates which cause the fingers to pivot towards each other in an overlapping relationship so that they are clear from the pathway defined by the belts.

Abstract: A continuous drier for flat piece material, especially for liquid-coated printed circuit boards, and the like, comprises a heatable drier housing and a transport path that ascends in the housing and, after passing an upper turning point descends again. Secured to an endless chain that extends substantially vertically are carriers for the piece material to be transported, which carriers project outwards from the endless chain. The drier also comprises a supply duct for drying air for the piece material to be dried. The supply duct is so arranged that an airstream supplied by it flows over the piece material transversely to the direction in which the carriers project from the chain links.

Abstract: A centrifugal force conveying apparatus for transferring feed material to a conveyor. The transfer conveyor includes a gravity feed chute, a screw conveyor disposed along a longitudinal passage and a rotating paddle wheel which receives the feed material from the screw conveyor. The paddle wheel accelerates the feed material to a prescribed velocity and along a range of predetermined vector directions to enable relatively low differential motion between the feed material and the receiving conveyor system.

Abstract: A method and device for successively conveying flat-shaped items, i.e. slab-like items, such as sweets or biscuits, for the formation of groups consisting of a number of items positioned on edge; and whereby the aforementioned items, laid flat, are fed successively on a conveyor to the input of a curved channel extending downwards over an arc of substantially 90.degree., and along which the items drop in contact with one another. At the output of the curved channel, the items, positioned on edge, are maintained in this position and fed successively and separately to a user device inside respective compartments of a conveyor defined by two tangent, counter-rotating screws.

Abstract: A conveyor belt discharge apparatus located between a first and a second conveyor belt, which removes flattened dough balls adhering to the first conveyor belt and transports the dough balls to the second conveyor belt by a rotational movement of the apparatus in which a plurality of resilient sheets of the apparatus make periodic conforming contact with the discharge end of the first conveyor belt.

Abstract: An axial flow combine harvester feed plate assembly for directing crop material from an elevator into a longitudinally extending threshing and separating rotor is disclosed wherein the feed plate assembly includes a surface extending upwardly and rearwardly to a junction with an arcuate surface to direct the mat of crop material being conveyed by the elevator in a linear path into a spirally extending flow path around the threshing and separating rotor. For axial flow harvesters having a pair of threshing and separating rotors, the feed plate includes a central divider member and a pair of transversely spaced side members providing an infeed configuration that eliminates dead spots in the transition of the flow of crop material from the elevator to the threshing and separating rotors to provide a smooth and efficient harvesting operation.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying planar panels in single file. The conveyor system can be used for receiving panels from bulk storage to a workstation. The conveyor system includes a conveyor belt apparatus located to receive the panels at its upstream end from the bulk supply device. A panel turning device is located at the downstream discharge end of the conveyor device for receiving the panels from the conveying device and redirecting them into the inlet end of a chute. An accumulative device is located over the conveyor to maintain a steady supply of panels to the chute. A photo cell control at the chute controls the number of spacers stacked in end-to-end relationship in the chute.

Abstract: A developer transport apparatus includes a rotatable auger to transport developer along its length from a developer entry to a developer delivery end and transport means at the delivery end and under the rotatable transport auger to transport developer away from the delivery end with the toner auger being contained within a stationary cylindrical containment tube extending the length of the auger, the tube being cut away at the bottom portion of the delivery end of the auger to permit toner to be delivered to the transport. The developer auger has an antibridging device at its delivery end which is a flexible paddle wheel mounted through the shaft of the auger and rotatable therewith.

Abstract: An arrangement for transferring poultry carcasses such as the carcasses of birds being chickens, ducks, turkeys and the like, from one position to another may be used to transfer the poultry carcasses from a killing conveyor to an eviscerating conveyor, for example. The arrangement can, however, be used to transfer poultry carcasses from any one conveyor to another conveyor. The arrangement includes a rotatably mounted plate and associated structure for imparting a rotational moment thereto. A plurality of sector members are pivotally mounted on or connected to the plate at a position offset or spaced apart from the rotational mounting of the plate. The rotational moment of the plate can be imparted to the sector members. Members are provided to limit or control the pivotal movement of the sector members relative to each other and to the pivotal attachment point.

Abstract: A feed conveyor delivers bulk material which is transferred to a belt conveyor by a loading device. The loading device consists of a feed screw in a feed screw casing and imparts to the bulk material a motional component in the direction of travel of the belt conveyor. The discharge opening of the loading device is provided in the circumferential surface of the feed screw casing and is facing the conveyor belt and extends along it, such that the bulk material is discharged as a layer of material on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor construction for conveying materials, such as grain, to an elevated location. The conveyor construction comprises a base or supporting structure and an auger conveyor is mounted horizontally on the base. Grain is fed into a hopper at one end of the auger and the discharge end of the auger is provided with a pair of kicker paddles which propel the grain laterally into the lower end of a vertical endless belt conveyor. The endless belt conveyor includes a plurality of integrally molded cleats that convey the grain upwardly within a vertical passage in the conveyor housing and the grain is discharged from the upper end of the housing. The vertical conveyor is mounted for pivoting movement relative to the auger conveyor to adjust the angularity of the vertical conveyor.

Abstract: A machine for collating signatures has a pair of side-by-side gathering chains as well as feeding apparatus along the chains, with each feeding apparatus being adapted to open signatures and deposit them on the chain along that apparatus, so that the signatures accumulate on the chain in a saddle format. The compiled signatures are trimmed as they pass along the chain, and at the end of the chain they are discharged into a layup unit where they are turned from a vertical disposition to a horizontal disposition. The layup unit has at the end of each gathering chain a pair of high friction belts which come together at a nip into which the chains project the compiled signatures. The belts grip the compiled signatures near the folds in those signatures and move the depending portions of the signatures against and over a bar which deflects the depending portions laterally and into a horizontal disposition.

Abstract: An auxiliary attachment which may be detachably coupled to the front end of a combine adjacent an inlet opening in the front end. The attachment includes a conveyor for conveying unshelled corn towards the inlet opening and a rotatable rotor for engaging and feeding that corn into and through the opening. The attachment serves to transport unshelled corn into the combine so that the corn shelling apparatus inside the combine can be used to shell dried corn. The attachment is meant to be coupled to the combine in place of the normal crop picking header thereon.

Abstract: Sausages or other articles having initial lengths several times longer than their final, packaged lengths are automatically severed to their proper dimensions, accumulated into multisausage clusters and then inserted into awaiting containers, all automatically. Each long initial length of material is initially severed into separate lengths, then gathered into side-by-side relationship with other severed lengths, then severed a second time into the final length. The final lengths are then arranged into generally cylindrically configured clusters for axial packing into the awaiting containers. Special handling techniques are used throughout the process so as to render the system fully automated without damaging the materials or failing to pack the prescribed number of materials into each container.

Abstract: In order to feed a stream of filter rods forward at regularly spaced intervals a substantially continuous stream of rods is fed to a pair of opposed belts which grip the sides of the rods and accelerate them so as to space them apart. The spaced apart rods may then be accurately fed forward by a timing device in the form of a wheel having extending fingers which engage behind the rods and feed them forward at a controlled speed. A second pair of belts may be positioned between the first pair of belts and the timing device, these belts gripping the rods at the top and bottom. The continuous stream of rods is preferably formed by successively stripping groups of rods axially from a fluted drum.