Abstract: A machine for treating or conveying containers, comprising a guide extending along a feed direction for feeding the containers and a plurality of carriages for supporting the containers slidably mounted on a same guide consecutively to each other; said guide and each carriage together defining respective linear motors. Each support carriage comprises at least a part of respective gripping means and, in particular, two gripping means respectively mounted on different and consecutive carriages along the same guide. The carriages are movable towards or away from each other so as to regulate the reciprocal distance along the feed direction for feeding the containers and define a picking area of the gripping means between them as a function of the type of container to be picked or released.

Abstract: A line for conveying and forming box-like bodies of different types includes at least one suction belt, closed in a loop and arranged at least in its initial portion, at least one strap, closed in a loop and provided with protruding teeth. The strap is parallel to the suction belt and is arranged at least in the end portion of the line and has the initial front juxtaposed with respect to the end portion of the suction belt. The line further includes at least one band closed in a loop and provided with protruding tabs, parallel to the at least one suction belt and to the at least one strap and is arranged along the entire line, and has a start area that is juxtaposed with respect to the at least one suction belt and an end area that is juxtaposed with respect to the at least one strap.

Abstract: A drum-type wood chipper for processing wood includes a chipper drum that is adapted to rotate about a generally horizontal drum axis, a plurality of cutting blades that are disposed around the periphery of the chipper drum, and an engine that is adapted to rotate the chipper drum about the drum axis. The wood chipper also includes a feed system that is adapted to advance wood to be processed towards the chipper drum, and a controller that is operatively connected to the engine and adapted to determine an instantaneous engine operating rate during rotation of the chipper drum. The controller is also operatively connected to the feed system and adapted to control the rate of advance of wood towards the chipper drum. The controller is also adapted to modify the rate of advance of wood towards the chipper drum as the instantaneous engine operating rate changes while the chipper drum is being rotated.

Abstract: A device for simultaneous three-sided trimming of products in a plurality of cutting stations includes a common upper knife carrier operable in a vertical motion, blades to be attached to the upper knife carrier for at least front edge trimming and top and bottom trimming of the products and a first drive for driving the upper knife carrier. A conveyor system has top-related and bottom-related pairs of conveyor belts for conveying the products through the cutting stations of the device and a second drive driving the conveyor system. The first and second drives are self-contained, mutually independent drives connected to one another by control units. The top-related and bottom-related pairs of conveyor belts of the conveyor system are each driven by self-contained, mutually independent, position-controlled drives.

Abstract: A simultaneously collapsing and conveying assembly adapted to collapse constructed collapsible crates along their collapsing lines is provided herein. The collapsing assembly includes a rotating means to rotate the constructed crates by approximately 90° such as to move the open face of the crate from upward facing to forward facing and simultaneously conveying and collapsing means to convey the crates and for applying pressure on the crates' two opposing side panels, as the crates are conveyed, such as to collapse said constructed crates along their collapsing lines.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus for transporting flat, sheet-like material through one or more processing stations of a sheet-processing machine includes at least one upper conveying apparatus and at least one lower conveying apparatus with conveying devices which are in contact with one another. The upper and lower conveying apparatuses are fastened in such a way that they can be altered freely in length. A sheet-processing machine with a transporting apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a document processing system with improved paper path alignment and superior media hold-down capability, which minimizes undesirable electrostatic fields in the print zone. The document processing system includes a first belt module including a first roller and a second roller with a tack belt in surrounding engagement with the first roller and the second roller. The processing system further includes a second belt module, which includes a third roller and a fourth roller with a media transport belt in surrounding engagement with the third roller and the fourth roller. A mounting support for the first belt module is also included herein, the mounting support is designed to allow the first module to self-align relative to the second transport.

Abstract: A cryogenic tunnel freezer (10) having modular design and construction including a lower section (16) that can be raised and lowered relative to an upper section (14), the upper and lower sections (14, 16) defining a tunnel (12) when the lower section (16) is in a closed (raised) position. Product is moved through the tunnel (12) via a belt (22) formed of arrays of plastic modules (76) that are reinforced by metal chains (140) and rods (150). The lower run (23) of the belt (22) rides on the floor (48) of the lower section (16) and the upper run (21) rides on the lower run (23) when the belt (22) is operated. The flow of cryogenic fluid through the tunnel (12) is aided by vaporization of a cryogenic fluid and baffles (98), but no air-moving devices located within the tunnel (12).

Abstract: In an embodiment, a booklet conveying device includes: a pair of conveying units; a positioning unit; a pressing unit; and a conveying-force changing unit. The pair of conveying units convey a booklet made of a stack of folded sheets, and change a distance therebetween. The positioning unit positions the booklet by making a leading-end portion of the booklet abut thereto. The pressing unit presses the booklet positioned by the positioning unit onto one of the conveying units in order to fix. The conveying-force changing unit changes the conveying force exerted by the conveying units.

Abstract: A take-up machine is provided. Each of upper and lower conveying devices has an endless rotating body and a plurality of take-up pads provided on the surface of the endless rotating body. The take-up machine is configured to pinch a top face and a bottom face of a resin-molded article with the take-up pads of the upper and lower conveying devices to take up the resin-molded article. The take-up machine is installed along an extrusion line of a resin extruder. In a lateral direction orthogonal to an extrusion line, a length of each of the take-up pads is multiple times a length of the resin-molded article to be taken up. Each of the take-up pads has a plurality of supporting potions which are arranged in the lateral direction and capable of supporting resin-molded articles with different shapes. The upper and lower conveying devices are movable in the lateral direction so as to make one of the supporting portions coincide with the extrusion line.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a booklet conveying device includes: a pair of conveying units; a positioning unit; a pressing unit; and a conveying-force changing unit. The pair of conveying units convey a booklet made of a stack of folded sheets, and change a distance therebetween. The positioning unit positions the booklet by making a leading-end portion of the booklet abut thereto. The pressing unit presses the booklet positioned by the positioning unit onto one of the conveying units in order to fix. The conveying-force changing unit changes the conveying force exerted by the conveying units.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transporting flat products having at least one feeder feeding the flat products in a first transport direction, and having at least two conveying units for forwarding the flat products in a second transport direction. The conveying units are configured symmetrically and in each case have a plurality of guiding elements which can be set against the flat sides of the products. It is possible for the flat products to be received between in each case two adjacent guiding-element pairs and to be gripped by them and, as a result, to be transported upright in the second transport direction. During the movement in the second transport direction, the guiding elements are moved gradually out of holding engagement with the flat products.

Abstract: An apparatus and method separate flat articles, in particular flat mail consignments, and have built-in wear compensation. The apparatus possesses a transport element, a retention element, a displaceable mounted base and a range sensor. Either the transport element or the retention element is mounted on the base. The other element is mounted fixedly. The transport element is moved in relation to the retention element, with the result that overlapping articles are drawn apart from one another. The range sensor measures the length of a section from a fixed point to such a surface of the transport element which comes into contact with articles. In dependence on the measured section length, the base is displaced in such a way that the displacement of the base compensates for abrasion of the transport element.

Abstract: A method and a device transport a flat object, especially a mail item, over a conveyor path. The transport device has two conveyor elements, a thickness sensor and a gap-altering device. With the aid of the thickness sensor the thickness of the object is measured, before the object reaches the conveyor path. With the aid of the gap-altering device the gap between the two conveyor elements is set to a computed value. The effect of this setting is that after the setting the gap is smaller than the measured thickness and the difference between the measured thickness and the gap is smaller than a predetermined limit. This setting is concluded before the subject matter reaches the conveyor path. The two conveyor elements clamp the object for a time between themselves and transport the clamped object over the conveyor path.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying sheet-type flat items to a sheet-collecting location includes at least one lower belt conveyor and one upper belt conveyor arranged above the lower belt conveyor. A first operating mechanism is arranged to move the upper belt conveyor relative to the lower belt conveyor between (1) a lower position in which the upper belt conveyor is in an operating position adjacent to the lower belt conveyor and comes in contact with the flat items positioned on the lower belt conveyor and (2) a raised upper position in which the upper belt conveyor has a segment positioned at such a distance to the lower belt conveyor as to be out of contact with the flat items positioned on the lower belt conveyor.

Abstract: A sheet material conveyer system includes a sheet-transfer conveyer having an endless sheet-transfer belt for conveying sheet materials, a heater provided below the elevation of the endless sheet-transfer belt for heating the sheet materials being carried on the endless sheet-transfer belt to a dry state, an impression belt assembly having an endless impression belt disposed above the endless sheet-transfer belt for guiding movement of the sheet materials with the endless sheet-transfer belt, and tension supports insertable into a conveying space between the endless sheet-transfer belt and the endless impression belt from two opposite lateral sides to support the endless impression belt in shape and to control the tension of the endless impression belt.

Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a driven roller and a idler roller each coupled with a flexible member. A pressure roller is also included and can be forced against the driven roller to tension the flexible member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a workpiece support device (10) for a continuously operating machine (1) for machining panel-shaped workpieces that are preferably made, at least in part, of wood, wood materials, or the like, the workpiece support device comprising at least one endlessly revolving belt (20) that is designed to support conveyed workpieces (2) at least sectionally, further comprising a stationary guide member (12) for the belt (20), the guide member having two deflection components (14) on which the belt is deflected. The workpiece support device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the belt (20) comprises a plurality of layers extending in the belt's longitudinal direction, at least one of the layers being designed as a flexible layer which, at least in the belt's transverse direction, is less rigid than at least one of the other layers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for stacking flat products, in particular, folding boxes, comprising a lower and upper transport unit, wherein the flat products are transported between the transport units in the direction of a stack shaft, each transport unit comprising at least one conveyor belt, wherein the position of the front end, facing the stack shaft, of at least one conveyor belt can be adjusted and changed.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying mail flats in an upright position with at least one conveying module has a circulating, horizontally oriented floor belt guided via return rollers, and two endless lateral guide belts guided via deflection rollers. A distance of the lateral guide belts from one another at ends of the conveying modules is greater than a thickest mail item. A height of a first lateral guide belt is less than that of a second lateral guide belt. Below the first lateral guide belt an elastic, narrow, endless pressure belt is provided, which is resiliently pressed against a lower part of the second lateral guide belt by pressure deflection rollers and pressed away from the second lateral guide belt by the mail items according to their thickness. Guide rails are mounted obliquely to a conveying direction and tangentially to the pressure deflection rollers.

Abstract: A device for aligning plate-like workpieces traveling in a machine direction in a machine processing them, more particularly in a folder-gluer, comprising an upper aligner and a lower aligner. The lower aligner is equipped, on the one hand with a guiding member mounted on a lower guide, and on the other hand with a lower conveyor having at least one useful portion which is fixedly attached to an upper guide movable in the horizontal plane with respect to the lower guide. The lower and upper guides form a bearing element unit, which is weakened by an opening extending between the guides.

Abstract: A compensating roller system is adapted to adjust to size variation of product moving through a conveyor system. In one example, the compensating roller system is used to control a force resulting in deflection of a conveyor belt. In a specific implementation of such an example, a first rail is configured to support a first conveyor belt. A plurality of rollers is attached to the first rail and supports a conveyor belt moving over the rollers. The attachment allows each roller to pivot independently of movement of other rollers. Each of the rollers' movement is against a bias, and allows for deflection of the conveyor belt. A second rail may be configured as the first rail, and oriented define a channel for product movement between conveyor belts carried by the first and second rails.

Abstract: A transfer system that laterally grips an open container at a position along a first belt upstream of a conveyor transfer and then transfers the container across the interface between belts before depositing the container on a second belt downstream of the conveyor transfer. The container is protected against lateral tipping and spillage during the transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting flat work pieces has a first conveyor and a second conveyor. An inlet mouth is formed from the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The apparatus is distinguished by a geometry of the inlet mouth which can be optimized with regard to different, jointly assumed pivoting positions of the conveyors.

Abstract: A powered magazine apparatus for retaining and transporting flexible bags comprises a base conveyor, and a pair of first and second digitated conveyor belts positioned on respective opposite sides of the base conveyor. Each of the digitated conveyor belts comprises a large multiplicity of outwardly projecting fingers. Each of the bags to be retained and transported is supported at its lower extent by the base conveyor, while opposite marginal edges of each bag are supported substantially through their vertical extents by the projecting fingers of each of the first and second digitated belts.

Abstract: The invention described here concerns a unit for automatic container returns systems, with a conveyor device for transporting the containers in the direction of their longitudinal axis, with two rotary-driven rollers arranged along the conveyor path and which can be transferred from a neutral position into an identification position in which they release the container from the conveyor device and rotate said container, and with a sorting means for the selective, lateral removal of the container from the conveyor device according to the identification. It is the object of the invention to provide a generic unit for automatic container returns systems that is characterised by a simple construction.

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 process board is moved, positioned and processed by first and second upper conveyers and first and second lower conveyers, and a tool of a head is moved between the first upper and lower conveyers and the second upper and lower conveyers such that the first and second upper conveyers and the first and second lower conveyers are not damaged by the tool.

Abstract: A device for controlling the conveyance of particulate material on a conveyor belt comprises a frame with an endless belt attached thereto. The apparatus is positioned above the conveyor belt and in frictional contact therewith whereby the motion of the conveyor results in motion of the endless belt on the apparatus. The particulate material thereby is passes between the endless belt and the conveyor belt and any bouncing movement of such material is prevented. Use of the present invention on conventional conveyor belts controls the dispersion of the particulate material carried thereon and allows for the speed of the conveyor to be increased. The present invention is suitable for use with a conveyor apparatus used with a truck and commonly known as a “stone slinger”.

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 belt press having a frame with a first belt and a second belt rotatably mounted on the frame. A curved inlet guide is movably carried on the frame. The inlet guide has a decreasing radius of curvature from an inlet end to an exit end. A positioning assembly is mounted on the frame and is attached to the inlet end of the inlet guide to raise and lower the inlet end of the inlet guide.

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: The present invention relates to a method of 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. In addition, the present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the present invention and to the use of said method according to the present invention and of said apparatus according to the present invention for transferring a chain of sausages from a twist-off station to a suspension station.

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 belt press having a frame with a first belt and a second belt rotatably mounted on the frame. A curved inlet guide is movably carried on the frame. The inlet guide has a decreasing radius of curvature from an inlet end to an exit end. A positioning assembly is mounted on the frame and is attached to the inlet end of the inlet guide to raise and lower the inlet end of the inlet guide.