Abstract: The invention relates to a scalable freight loading system, especially for an aircraft, said system comprising drive means (L1-L9, R1-R9), covering sensors, bolts, proximity switches (PL1-PL9, PR1-PR9), and a central control device (CCB). According to the invention, the loading surface is divided into sectors (S1, S2, S3); a local control unit (SCB1, SCB2, SCB3) is associated with each sector; the drive means, covering sensors, and proximity switches of a sector are connected to IO ports of the local control unit; and the local control units are connected to the central control unit by means of a bus system (CAN-Bus).

Abstract: An apparatus according to the present invention is a transfer plate used in conveying manufactured product or raw materials onto or off from a conveyor belt. Generally, the transfer plate includes a support member and a transfer extension depending from the support member to interface to a predetermined conveyor belt. The support member may be coupled to a support structure to allow multidirectional flotation, or acceptable operational movement, of the plate due to incidental movement of the conveyor belt. The support member is preferably manually couplable to the support structure, thereby preventing the need for tools during repair or replacement. The transfer interface may include fingers or a modular interface plate.

Abstract: A friction conveyor system comprises a conveyor means (10) including a plurality of conveyor elements (16,18) arranged transverse to the conveying direction (12). The conveyor elements (16,18) are partly driven and partly arranged for free rotation. A workpiece carrier (30) can be loosely placed on the conveyor means (10). For conveying the workpiece carriers (30), use is made of disk-shaped transmission elements (26) connected to the driven conveyor elements (18). The transmission elements (26) are in contact with a friction element (38). The friction elements (38) are connected to an actuation element (46). By actuation of the actuation element (46), the friction element (38) is moved into disengaged position in which the transmission elements (26) are not engaged with the friction elements (38) anymore.

Abstract: A device having a holder for holding a container such as a bottle of a size and with a second other holder for holding a container such as a bottle of another size. In addition, a method for loading a device with containers such as bottles, whereby the containers of one size are placed in a first holder and the containers of another size are placed in a second other holder to allow easy adjustment to a different size of container without requiring any time-consuming retooling work.

Abstract: A conveyance apparatus includes: a stage section having: a feeding stage on which a work to be fed is placed; a first working stage on which the work is subjected to a working process; a second working stage on which the work is subjected to the same working process as that of the first working stage; and a discharging stage on which the work to be discharged is placed; and a conveyance section having: a feeding arm feeding the work from the feeding stage to the working stages; a discharging arm which is provided on a discharging stage side of the feeding arm and discharges the work from the working stages to the discharging stage; a first drive unit moving the two arms in an alignment direction of the four stages; and a second drive unit changing distance between the two arms in the alignment direction.

Abstract: A system for handling vehicle frames. The system includes a conveyor assembly including a loading end and an unloading end, and the conveyor assembly carries a plurality of vehicle frames thereon. The system also includes a frame transfer assembly disposed at the unloading end of the conveyor assembly. The frame transfer assembly may be adapted to grasp a vehicle frame from the conveyor assembly and transfer the vehicle frame from the conveyor assembly. A vehicle frame inversion system is also provided that includes a first robotic inversion device that may include a first clamping system, and a second robotic inversion device that may include a second clamping system. The first and second clamping systems are adapted to grasp a vehicle frame, and the first and second robotic inversion devices are adapted to lift and invert the vehicle frame.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stage apparatus which drives an object, comprising a base member, a first guide member disposed along a guide face of the base member, a second guide member disposed along the guide face so as to intersect with the first guide member, first and second sliders disposed such that the first and second sliders can move along the first and the second guide members, respectively, a connecting member having a flexible structure to connect the first and the second sliders to each other, and a movable stage which is to hold the object and is movably disposed on the guide face, and which is connected to the first and the second sliders.

Abstract: A production line for vehicles of different models is disclosed, wherein vehicle bodies for ordinary automobiles and vehicle bodies for compact automobiles are incorporated on the same production line, and multiple components are installed. Two compact vehicle bodies are carried on a conveyance device which is designed for carrying a single ordinary vehicle body. The number of components of a compact automobile is approximately half the number of components of an ordinary automobile, and therefore compact automobiles can be produced efficiently without any downtime.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface treating installation, especially for treating plastic parts or automotive bodies, which comprises a transfer station (24, 25) for vertically or horizontally transferring an object (12). Said transfer station comprises a stationary support structure (34), a carriage (40) which can travel in relation to the support structure (34) and receives an object (12), and at least one guide roller (64, 66, 68, 70; 70?; 70?) via which the carriage is supported on the support structure (34). The at least one guide roller has a rolling surface (118; 118?; 118?) which contacts the support structure when rolling off. The invention is characterized in that the rolling surface of the at least one guide roller consists of an antistatic material whose volume resistivity ranges between 10 Om and 109 Om.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for conveying an article on a plurality of rotatable main shafts arranged in parallel. The apparatus includes a plurality of auxiliary shafts inserted through the main shafts, respectively, so as to prevent deflection or bending of the main shafts, and a plurality of bearing members disposed between the main shafts and the auxiliary shafts for supporting the main shafts and allowing rotation of the main shafts. Therefore, the main shaft can be prevented from deflection or bending caused by its own weight or an article placed thereon.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes an electrical extension and contraction drive device which is connected to a distribution guide body, so that the switching action of the distribution guide body can be performed at a high speed, with shortened response time. Hence, the apparatus can respond suitably to increase in speed of the conveyance and branching operations. Further, since only electrical power supply wires and signal wires are required as peripheral elements, distributing means can be constituted in a compact fashion.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus, systems, and related methods for slowing the speed of components in transport systems. The apparatus includes a component track extending between input and output ends and sized for receiving the components, a speed control device mounted adjacent the component track and comprising a projection configured to move within the component track, a sensor positioned upstream of the input end of the component track to detect the speed of the components approaching the component track, and a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to adjust the speed of the projection within the component track based on the speed of the components approaching the component track, to decelerate the components within the component track.

Abstract: A slide assembly for use on a forming turret in a machine line that forms articles, such as cans, comprises a fixed rail, a slide block configured to slide in the rail, and an adaptor that is mounted to the rail. The slide assembly is configured to provide at least a 4.0 inch or more stroke that is stable and minimizes shaking or other movement. The slide assembly is designed such that ends of at least one of the adaptor and rail remain rigid during the stroke operation.

Abstract: A sorting system includes a train of carriages moving along a track. Each carriage has an electrically driven cross belt for onloading and unloading items to be sorted. Some, but less than all, of the carriages, i.e., master carriages, carry electricity generating equipment, such as a track-engaging wheel connected to an electrical alternator, for converting kinetic energy of the train into electric energy. That energy is made available to all of the carriages through wiring that interconnects the carriages.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly loading vehicles or other load carrying compartments has an extensible conveyor attached to a base frame by means of a wheel and track design. The load may be applied to the extensible conveyor from any direction by a variety of means. Items are applied to the extensible conveyor until the load is substantially equivalent to the maximum load capacity of the load carrying compartment. The conveyor is then extended into the compartment and retracted. As it retracts, the load remains within the compartment. The device preferably has a number of safety features to avoid accidents. The invention also preferably has a means of properly aligning itself.

Abstract: Device for moving products from a loading station to an unloading station. Carriers on which containers for the products are arranged move along a guide in the direction of transport. The drive is implemented with the aid of a toothed belt and each carrier is provided with a locking pawl that is hingeably fixed thereto and that can come into engagement with the toothed belt. The locking pawl is furthermore provided with a tab on which an operating element, such as a cylinder, firmly fixed to the transport device is able to engage. A second set of teeth constructed as a toothed belt is present and this is arranged in a stationary position. The carrier is provided with a wheel running in this toothed belt. This wheel is provided with a non-return clutch.

Abstract: A transfer system comprised of an air conveyor, a servo conveyor, and a fan feeder. In a typical configuration, the air conveyor is located at a first location where it receives packaged articles from a bagger system or a conveyor system. The servo conveyor abuts the air conveyor and extends to a second location adjacent to a destination point. The fan feeder is located adjacent to the servo conveyor at an end opposite the air conveyor. The fan feeder lies over a bucket conveyor for a cartoner system.

Abstract: A modular conveyor belt formed of rows of belt modules pivotally interlinked by transverse pivot rods and specially adapted for following a curved conveyor path. The modules include a top, product conveying surface and a bottom, sprocket-driven surface. The belt modules have a plurality of first link ends disposed in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt and a plurality of second link ends disposed in the opposite direction. Transverse holes in the link ends are aligned to accommodate a pivot rod. When the link ends of the consecutive rows of side by side modules are intercalated, the pivot rod serves as a hinge pin in a hinged joint between consecutive interlinked rows. To permit the belt to flex sidewise, the openings in the first link ends are slotted longitudinally in the direction of belt travel.

Abstract: A conveyor is provided that is capable of preventing degradation in quality of an article being conveyed. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt; and a rolling element rotatably provided at a surface of the conveyor belt. A plurality of rolling elements are provided along a conveying direction. The conveyor further includes a holder provided at the surface of the conveyor belt, for rotatably holding the corresponding rolling element. The rolling element has a ball shape.

Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner including one or more scraper blades and a scraper blade mounting assembly for removably mounting the scraper blades to a support structure. The scraper blades include a mounting base formed of elastomeric material having a generally T-shaped mounting flange and an arm. The scraper blade also includes a metal scraping element having a generally planar lower portion and a generally planar upper portion that are disposed at an angle to one another. The lower portion of the scraping element is embedded within the arm. The upper portion of the scraping element includes a scraping tip adapted to engage a conveyor belt and that is pivotal about a pivot axis that is offset from a plane containing the upper portion of the scraping element. The mounting assembly includes a cross shaft that is adapted to be mounted at each end to a support structure by a slide bracket having a support ridge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for advancing and/or slowing signatures in a printing press. The apparatus and method includes a series of two or more belt drives, where each belt drive includes at least a pair of opposed belts. The belts are preferably timing or toothed belts driven by sprockets. The sprockets are formed with a semi-elliptical outer surface. As a result, the belts have two directions of motion. The first direction—horizontal—advances the signatures and may be used to slow the signatures. The second direction—vertical—withdraws the belts away from contact with the signatures to prevent buckling or wrinkling during a speed transition or during a transfer between belts. In one embodiment of the present invention, both opposed belts are retracting belts; in another embodiment, one belt is a fixed conveyor belt, while the other opposed belt is a retracting belt.

Abstract: A conveyor system for increasing the angle capabilities and allowing shorter lengths of a belt conveyor. The device includes a support frame, a tube attached to the support frame, a receiver support structure attached to the intake end of the tube, an endless belt positioned within the tube and about the receiver support structure, a plurality of paddle members attached to the outer surface of the endless belt, and a wind skirt attached to the lower portion of the tube. The plurality of paddle members include a plurality of V-shaped cutouts with a rounded narrow portion for allowing the endless belt to have a curved state or flat state. A foam member is positioned within the discharge end of the tube having guide slots for receiving the endless belt. The endless belt has a generally flat structure when positioned upon the receiver support structure and transitions to a curved structure when entering the tube.

Abstract: Belting of one or more layers of either woven or non-woven fibers of a natural or man made material. The fibers are saturated with a polymeric material forming a flexible web. The polymeric material saturating the fibers forming the web contains an inorganic antimicrobial agent or the agent is applied to coat the web. The agent can be one or more of inorganic materials of a metal or a metal salt having antimicrobial properties, such as a zeolite. The web layer, or layers, can be cover coated with a contiguous layer of a flexible polymeric material and the material of the cover coat also has an inorganic antimicrobial agent mixed therein or coated thereon.

Abstract: A singulator includes a mechanism for actuating a portion of a conveyor to remove one item at a time from the conveyor end, a detection system, a control system that actuates the conveyor to remove items from the conveyor one at a time based on the item positions according to a scheme of: (1) selecting a first item, (2) actuating a portion of the conveyor underlying the first item between the first item and the end of the conveyor; (3) actuating a portion of the conveyor underlying the second item between the second item and the exit end of the conveyor when a gap between the trailing edge of the first item for removal and a leading edge of a second item for removal reaches a predetermined size; and (4) repeating steps (1)-(3) for additional items until all items in the group have exited the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading a silo having side walls and a floor which includes a central chute that supplies material to a conveyor box which is covered except for the chute. A conveyor in the conveyor box conveys material from the central chute out through a material outlet in the silo. The central positioning of the chute causes a top surface of the remaining material in the silo to form itself into a conical shape having an apex moving toward the central chute. As the material is depleted to such an extent that the apex of the material surface meets the central chute, the remainder of the material is blown to a lower run of the conveyor and discharged from the floor of the silo.

Abstract: Chain or conveyor system for a machine to manufacture pile fabrics which have the blades thereof closely spaced by arranging the chain lugs on each chain in staggered relationship to the chain lugs on the next adjacent chain.