Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor with the workpieces oriented transverse to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors configured to convey workpieces toward a lugged conveyor. The first and second endless conveyors of each pair are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction and aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array can form a continuous or discontinuous transport surface. Some pairs of endless conveyors in the array may overlap one or more other pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array may include two or more endless conveyors that are independently driven at different speeds and/or in different directions to de-skew a workpiece.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor with the workpieces oriented transverse to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors configured to convey workpieces toward a lugged conveyor. The first and second endless conveyors of each pair are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction and aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array can form a continuous or discontinuous transport surface. Some pairs of endless conveyors in the array may overlap one or more other pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array may include two or more endless conveyors that are independently driven at different speeds and/or in different directions to de-skew a workpiece.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide individual blades driven by drives configured to reduce a tendency of sludge to be moved in an undesired return direction. Drive configurations apply “pull” and “pull” forces that only pull on tensile structures, avoiding a need in actual commercial practice for use of extra structural drive members having high resistance to both tension and compressive forces exerted parallel to a sludge movement direction. Each of two separate tensile structures carries one blade, or a separate set of blades, with blade(s) of one structure adjacent to, and alternating with, blade(s) of the other structure. Embodiments move sludge from a corner of a basin and across a floor of the basin. The reduced tendency of sludge movement in the return direction results from moving one tensile structure and blade(s) in the sludge movement direction as the other tensile structure and adjacent opposed blade(s) move in the return direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide individual blades driven by drives configured to reduce a tendency of sludge to be moved in an undesired return direction. Drive configurations apply “pull” and “pull” forces that only pull on tensile structures, avoiding a need in actual commercial practice for use of extra structural drive members having high resistance to both tension and compressive forces exerted parallel to a sludge movement direction. Each of two separate tensile structures carries one blade, or a separate set of blades, with blade(s) of one structure adjacent to, and alternating with, blade(s) of the other structure. Embodiments move sludge from a corner of a basin and across a floor of the basin. The reduced tendency of sludge movement in the return direction results from moving one tensile structure and blade(s) in the sludge movement direction as the other tensile structure and adjacent opposed blade(s) move in the return direction.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide individual blades driven by drives configured to reduce a tendency of sludge to be moved in an undesired return direction. Drive configurations apply “pull” and “pull” forces that only pull on tensile structures, avoiding a need in actual commercial practice for use of extra structural drive members having high resistance to both tension and compressive forces exerted parallel to a sludge movement direction. Each of two separate tensile structures carries one blade, or a separate set of blades, with blade(s) of one structure adjacent to, and alternating with, blade(s) of the other structure. Embodiments move sludge from a corner of a basin and across a floor of the basin. The reduced tendency of sludge movement in the return direction results from moving one tensile structure and blade(s) in the sludge movement direction as the other tensile structure and adjacent opposed blade(s) move in the return direction.

Abstract: A device for aligning parcel goods, in particular bottle crates, boxes, trays or the like during conveyance, and having a conveyor device with a roller conveyor belt having two-part freely rotatable rollers, whereby the conveyance takes place in a plane of conveyance and the alignment takes place in an alignment area situated at least partially in the plane of transport, with a plurality of manipulation units that can be operated in a controlled manner and are situated above and/or below the roller chains in the alignment area. The manipulation units are able to alter the speed and/or the direction of rotation of the rollers for rotation of a parcel about an axis perpendicular to the plane of transport, with at least one preferably optical recognition device which detects the aligned position of the parcel and a control device which controls the process of alignment of the parcel.

Abstract: The invention provides an elevator for separating and distributing a plurality of whole freshly harvested tobacco leaves including clumps of agglomerated tobacco leaves. The elevator has an inclined frame longitudinally extending between a lower end and an upper end, an endless conveyor, and a declumper. The frame carries deck portions extending substantially between the lower end and the upper end. The conveyor is adapted to travel over the deck portions in an upward direction and under the deck portions in a downward direction. The conveyor is also adapted to carry the tobacco leaves to the upper end and discharge the tobacco leaves from the upper end. Also, the elevator includes a declumper adapted to buffet the clumps of tobacco leaves to separate the whole tobacco leaves in the clumps from each other.

Abstract: A board transmitting device for an upright PC board etching machine, includes a plurality of units each of which includes a U-shaped frame with a pair of serial wheel frames uprightly inserted in an upper end of both sides thereof, a rotation transmitting wheel disposed between and at one end of the U-shaped frame into which the serial wheel frames are inserted, and a power steering wheel disposed at the other end of the U-shaped frame opposite to the serial wheel frames.

Abstract: The apparatus is a self clearing conveyor for materials which clump together. A rotating multi-faced drum is located above the moving surface of a conveyor and rotates in a direction opposite from the movement of the conveyor. Material which is higher than the adjustable clearance between the drum and the conveyor is thrown upstream on the conveyor to try again, even if the material is initially stuck to or entangled with material passing below the drum.

Abstract: By providing a package processing system with pulsed or intermittently applied package retardation or separation forces, a highly effective package handling system is attained which is able to process all packages without tearing, ripping, or damaging any surfaces or surface coverings. In its preferred construction, the packages are advanced in one direction and contact one or more rollers rotationally driven to the opposed direction in order to retard and separate stacked packages into a single level array. In addition, each roller is continuously raised and lowered out of and into engagement with the packages passing therebelow. By providing this pulsed or intermittent force, the packages are separated as desired, while also preventing damage to any package surface.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous production of a uniform layer of oose material on a forming belt has a receiving belt onto which the loose product is deposited by a gravity chute in strips transverse to a travel direction of the receiving belt. A smoothing device above the receiving belt engages the strip layer over the entire length thereof on the receiving belt and smooths the material before it passes to a dispersing device directly or via said dispersion belt.

Abstract: A feed roller intended for a timber processing unit includes a roller body having disposed on its outer periphery elastically supported engagement devices for driving engagement with a tree trunk advanced by the roller. In accordance with the invention, it is proposed that the engagement devices include mutually separated elements (20) and that each of the elements is moveably connected to the roller body (10) at its outer periphery.

Abstract: A paper metering device is disclosed which is adapted for handling a flow of bulky and unmanageable paper such as newspapers or computer printouts and metering the paper into a manageable flow for delivery to further processing. The flow of paper is carried upward on a feed conveyor. A converging conveyor is disposed along a substantial portion of the feed conveyor at the discharge end. The upper layers of the paper contact the underside of the converging conveyor which advances the paper out the discharge end. The converging conveyor is disclosed as a plurality of disks on rotating shafts or as an endless belt. Means for sensing the height of the flow of paper under the converging conveyor is provided, such that the feed conveyor is stopped until the height of the flow is reduced. Also provided is means for jogging the feed conveyor if the feed conveyor is not restarted after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The distributor of a cigarette maker has an upwardly travelling conveyor which transports particles of tobacco past a rotating paddle wheel serving to remove the surplus of particles and to return the removed surplus into the magazine of the distributor. The paddle wheel is connected with a tachometer generator or is designed to actuate a switch in response to a reduction of its rotational speed and/or in response to deflection by one or more foreign objects in the mass of tobacco particles on the conveyor. The signal which is generated by the tachometer generator or in response to actuation of the switch entails a stoppage of the motor for the conveyor and/or of the motor for the paddle wheel.

Abstract: A concrete mixer in this invention comprises an elastomeric lug belt carried by a first set of roller drums at least one of which is driven, the lug belt having a plurality of spaced elastomeric lugs thereon, and an elastomeric base belt carried by a second set of roller drums and depending between two of these roller drums to form a part-loop portion, at least one of the base belt roller drums also being driven to drive the lug belt past the base belt in a mixing zone in the part-loop portion, such that the base belt moves in the opposite direction from the direction of movement of the lug belt.

Abstract: In a conveyor for the stepwise advance of a vertically parted boxless mould through a pouring and cooling zone of a guideway each side of this guideway is composed of mutually reciprocable rods or rails, at least some of which are operative to carry along the mould in its advance step and which during the advance movement as well as during the periods of standstill keep the mould permanently compressed in its transverse direction to the benefit of the accuracy of the castings produced. For the purpose of limiting the effect of possible expansion forces on the castings before full hardening thereof, at least some of the guideway rods may comprise aligned sections which in case of longitudinal expansion of the mould may be drawn apart against spring resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a feeder 10 for glass fibers useful in feeding glass fibers to a wet-mat process. Previous fiber feeders were unreliable and caused process disruptions primarily due to fiber conveying belt breakage. Belt breakage in the present fiber feeder is substantially eliminated by providing a belt pulley comprising an open-ended cylindrical drum 52 having a plurality of staggered waste fiber intake openings 54 longitudinally and circumferentially distributed over the drum. The intake openings 54 are staggered and sized to eliminate interference with the motion of slats 60 which comprise the fiber conveying belt 50, to ensure sufficient flow of waste fiber 36' out of the drum 52 and to eliminate any potential accumulation of waste fiber 36' between the belt 50 and the belt pulley 48.

Abstract: Method for providing surge capacity and for smoothing out the flow rate of refuse in a system, wherein refuse is loaded onto a moving conveyor at variable or intermittent rates, by (1) preventing excess refuse from passing beyond a given point on the conveyor by a rotating leveler, spaced a predetermined distance from the conveyor to permit only the desired level of refuse to remain on the conveyor beyond the leveler, and (2) rotating the leveler at a speed greater than the speed of the conveyor, the direction of rotation of the leveler being opposite to the direction of travel of the refuse on the conveyor. Refuse in excess of the amount desired to be transported by the conveyor is retained behind the leveler as a rolling inventory of refuse, causing the refuse to be discharged from the conveyor at a constant and uniform rate.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus for separating and counting cloth piece items such as shop towels, diapers, napkins, massage towels, etc. The apparatus comprises a mechanical separator including steeply inclined conveyor means having a plurality of lanes of pegs for separating the piece items from a batch or load into a plurality of different lanes or channels; a sensor or detector for each lane for sensing individual piece items in the lanes; and a counter for counting the total number of piece items sensed by all of the sensors.In the preferred embodiment, the separator comprises a forward and rearward steeply inclined conveyor, each including endless belt means having a plurality of lanes of spaced pegs driven upward and an oppositely driven finned roller located above each conveyor. The sensors are located at the crest of the rearward conveyor for detecting individual piece items in each of its lanes.