Abstract: A method inspects a conveyor (10) having opposing sides (34, 35) and a length. The conveyor includes an endless belt (16) and a plurality of roller structures (24) disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor and under a top flight (17) of the belt for supporting the belt while material is being conveyed on the belt. Each roller structure includes at least one roller (12, 12?) constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis as the belt is conveyed with the material. The method orients an unmanned vehicle (22), having sensor structure (28) thereon, at one side of the conveyor, and causes the vehicle to travel along the portion of the length of the conveyor while the sensor structure obtains data regarding a state of at least a portion of the belt and of rollers of the plurality of roller structures while the conveyor is operating.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus having a product conveyor drivable in a conveying direction and a transverse drive by which the product conveyor is movable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The product conveyor is coupled to a compensation mass by means of which forces can be compensated which occur by a transverse movement of the product conveyor.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting bodies, which are delivered in an irregular sequence, on a collecting belt, with the following features: a) the bodies which are delivered are moved more rapidly than predetermined by the running speed of the collecting belt (7), b) a pimpled belt (8) having ridges (12) is located in the end region of the collecting belt (7) and can be raised over the upper edge of the collecting belt (7) by means of a lifting device (5), c) the pimpled belt (8) is raised and accelerated as a function of being completely covered with bodies, and also a control program for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus having a product conveyor drivable in a conveying direction and a transverse drive by which the product conveyor is movable in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The product conveyor is coupled to a compensation mass by means of which forces can be compensated which occur by a transverse movement of the product conveyor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medium convey apparatus is provided with an oscillation unit, a cooling unit, a convey unit, a temperature detector and a controller. The oscillation unit applies oscillation to a thin medium as a to-be-conveyed target. The cooling unit cools the air around the thin medium. The convey unit conveys the thin medium. The temperature detector detects the temperature around the medium. The controller controls the cooling unit based on the temperature detected by the temperature detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: A product transport apparatus is provided that includes a transport section that oscillates in a transport direction and in a vertical direction in order to transport a product; a plurality of oscillation imparting sections including a first cam mechanism for causing the transport section to oscillate in the transport direction and a second cam mechanism for causing the transport section to oscillate in the vertical direction; and a single driving source that drives the plurality of oscillation imparting sections.

Abstract: A conveyer assembly used as part of an automated packaging system is disclosed. The conveyer assembly allows the container filling process and produce leveling process to be combined as a single process station in an automated packaging system. The conveyer assembly includes a pair of elastic belts trained about two pulleys, four vibration isolation rollers, and a vibrator mechanism. The vibration isolation rollers are mounted to the frame structure and positioned at incrementally higher positions, which creates a slight incline to the conveyer belts over the first half of the conveyer run. The highest isolation roller, which is located at the center of the conveyer assembly, isolates the first half of the conveyer run from the vibrations generated by the vibrator mechanism. Consequently, the first half of the conveyer run where the produce is deposited into the containers is stable and free from vibration, which reduces the loss of produce due to spillage.

Abstract: An apparatus to evenly distribute loose articles within a package. The apparatus includes a conveyor unit to convey and agitate the package and a pressing unit to press on and thereby smooth the package. The conveyor unit includes a plurality of tapered rollers which are tapered on alternating sides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying and applying a strip component (11) such as a tire tread is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the strip component on a belt conveyer (16), determining a guideline (52) of the strip component (11) at an exit end (20) of the belt conveyor (16), and laterally adjusting the exist end (20) of the belt conveyor (16) to align the guideline (52) of the strip component (11) with a predetermined guideline such as the guideline of a tire building drum (12). The apparatus includes a belt support transverse housing (76) which is laterally moveable by a motion controller (64) in response to a sensor (58) which detects the guideline (52) of the strip component (11). Guides on the transverse housing (76) move the belts of the conveyor (16) on slider plates without physically touching the conveyed strip component (11), thereby preventing damage to the component material.

Abstract: A method and apparati of automatic sexing of a one-day-old chick which includes inducing the chick to lose its equilibrium and voluntarily spread its wings. An example of an apparatus which causes chick disequilibrium includes a cup with a rim, a funnel removably seated on the rim, and a free-rolling ball inside the cup. A second example of such an apparatus includes a conveyer belt, a mechanical vibrator attached to the surface of the conveyer belt, and two poles for supporting the spread wings. A third example of such an apparatus includes a passageway enclosed on both sides whose bottom is attached to an oscillator. The wings are caused to be spread so that chick sexing can be performed by photographing the chick, applying appropriate image processing to the photograph, identifying the sex of the chick from the processed photograph, weighing the chick, and processing chicks based on sex and weight. Preferably, the chick is photographed in blue light, using a digital camera.

Abstract: A configuration for positioning components within the compartments on a delivery belt prior to their removal by an onserting apparatus. The configuration can include a brush and a vibrator.

Abstract: A method and unit for transferring articles between a first seat in a given position, and a second seat traveling along a first path, whereby at least one pickup member for picking up the articles is fed along a second path extending between the first seat and the first path; the articles are transferred between the second seat and the pickup member at a point of tangency between the first path and the second path; and the articles are transferred between the first seat and the pickup member as the pickup member travels along a substantially straight portion of the second path, parallel to an input/output direction of the articles with respect to the first seat.