Abstract: A load-conveying and transport apparatus includes a first frame, a conveyor carried by the first frame, and a second frame mounted to the first frame for movement between lowered and raised positions relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies below the conveyor, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame lies proud of the conveyor, when the second frame is in the raised position relative to the conveyor. The conveyor is for conveying a load placed thereon without interference from the second frame, when the second frame is in the lowered position relative to the conveyor. The second frame is for supporting the load placed thereon above the conveyor for disabling the conveyor from conveying the load, when the second frame is in the raised position.

Abstract: Guide rail part for a conveyor adapted to convey product carriers in a hanging manner, where the guide rail part is adapted to be positioned centrally in a main rail of the conveyor, where the guide rail part comprises a body, wherein the guide rail part comprises an actuator pivotably suspended to the body, where the actuator is movable from a first upper position to a second lower position, and a stop member pivotably connected to the actuator such that the stop member is in a raised stop position when the actuator is in the second lower position and that the stop member is in a lowered bypass position when the actuator is in the first upper position. The advantage of the guide rail part is that a queue with product carriers can be realized, where the spacing between the product carriers is obtained with the guide rail parts in an easy and cost-effective way.

Abstract: A feeding control mechanism of packaging machine includes a chassis, a feeding guide, a forwarding device, a conveyor belt, and a feeding controller. The feeding guide is arranged at a front side of the chassis to forward a product into the chassis. The forwarding device includes a feeding channel defined by left and right pulleys for clamping and moving a product onto a conveyor belt. The feeding controller is arranged above the conveyor belt. The product tray carried by the conveyor belt are used to trigger first and second sensor of the chassis to activate the feeding controller for opening/closing stop pegs so as to control each product to be correctly positioned on each product tray of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A separator system includes a conveyance assembly and one or more blocking components. The conveyance assembly moves a leading group of product and a trailing group of product along a feed direction toward a packaging system to separately package the leading group of product into a first container and the trailing group of product into a second container. The one or more blocking components are disposed upstream of the packaging system along the feed direction. The one or more blocking components stop movement of the trailing group of product upstream of the packaging system along the feed direction while allowing the leading group of product to move toward the packaging system.

Abstract: A backstop for stopping the movement of a product as it comes off a conveyor of a manufacturing line includes a motor connected by a linkage to a longitudinally moveable strike plate. The motor applies force to the strike plate in accordance with a predetermined curve to bring the product to a soft stop.

Abstract: A timing crank for a cylindrical conveyor of an agricultural harvester is provided that includes a unitary body in the form of an elongate member with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end defines a first aperture having a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second end defines a second aperture having a second longitudinal axis, wherein each of the apertures are joined by a longitudinal slot extending between and being in communication with the first and second apertures.

Abstract: An arrangement (10) for assembling into batches (Ln), via a phasing device (23), a plurality of products (Pn) traveling on a conveyor belt (16) from an intake zone upstream to an exit zone downstream. The phasing device (23) is placed between the intake zone and the exit zone. The arrangement has at least one retractable catch (60, 62, 64), and the catch (60, 62, 64) is moved successively into an engaged position, causing a first product (Pn) to be slowed down until a second product (Pn) located immediately uptream moves up to it, so as to form a batch (Ln), and into a retracted position which enables the previously formed batch (Ln) to continue its downstream movement at the running speed of the belt.

Abstract: A system for reducing torque disturbance includes a motor mechanically coupled to an endless belt. The motor is operable to drive the belt, and the belt has a seam that causes a torque disturbance to the system. The system includes a data structure having a set of values that indicates an amount of compensation for reducing the torque disturbance and a controller electrically coupled with the motor. The controller is configured to control the motor and reduce the torque disturbance based on the set of values in the data structure.

Abstract: A conveying device with a diverter is disclosed for conveying lightweight unstable articles, such as plastic bottles having a neck portion with a neck ring thereon. The unstable articles are conveyed along a first path established by a first guide unit to different ones of plural second paths established by a plurality of second guide units through a third path established by a third guide unit having a diverter to align a first end of the third path with the first path and to move the second end of the third path for alignment with the different ones of the plural second paths with a deviation in the third path between the ends thereof being established during aligning movement of the second end of the third path by flexing of a flexible bar positioned adjacent to the third path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for positioning sheets of material on a belt feeder for transporting the material through a cutter toward a tire-processing apparatus. The material has a front-edge portion which is centered by using edge-position control, and side portions which are centered by using center-position control. Also, the material, as cut, will have a rear-edge portion, the centering position of which is controlled by edge-position control.

Abstract: The present invention simplifies the structure of a run-in trough system for a cooling bed by constructing a device for stopping steel bars supplied to the run-in trough with a lower brake shoe of a trough type provided in a way as to move in a vertical direction together with the open trough. An upper brake shoe is provided swingably in a vertical direction on a fixed shaft provided on the main body of the run-in trough body, and a driving device is provided for the upper brake shoe.

Abstract: A device for halting sheet products transported by a conveyor belt, comprising an abutment having a conveyor belt passing through it and an adjustable braking device placed ahead of the abutment. By this arrangement it is possible to ensure a high degree of convenience of operation and of reliability if the impact of the products on the abutment is able to be sensed by means of a sensing device and the position of the braking device is able to be corrected in accordance with an output value produced by the sensing device.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor is provided having a plurality of zones between opposite ends of the conveyor. The conveyor has a continuously operable conveying surface extending through the zones for engaging articles on the conveyor to propel the articles through the zones along a conveyor path from a generally upstream to a generally downstream position in either a first direction towards a selected one of the ends or a second direction opposite the first direction towards the opposite end. The conveyor can select in which direction the conveyor surface is to propel articles. A plurality of cam operated lifting platforms lifts the articles from the conveyor surface to halt the progress of the articles along the conveyor, and sensors in each zone sense the presence or absence of articles.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated stop for advanced workpiece comprises a pneumatic cylinder with a displaceable piston rod on which a stop is secured. A limit stop coacting with the extended piston rod defines the setpoint position of the stop. A precision limit switch for sensing the setpoint position of the stop generates a command signal when the stop moves away from its setpoint position. This signal controls a valve which is connected with the pneumatic cylinder. This valve connects the pneumatic cylinder in an unpressurized manner with the ambient atmosphere when the stop is occupying the setpoint position and no workpiece is resting against the stop. Once the stop has been displaced from its setpoint position by an advanced workpiece, pressure is applied to the cylinder by this valve in order to return the stop together with the workpiece to the setpoint position, and this pressure is maintained for a preselected amount of time by the valve.

Abstract: The temporary storage of bar-shaped objects such as cigarettes intermediate the manufacturing and packaging apparatus therefor is improved by sensing gaps in the supply within the storage system and engaging the objects upon detection of such a gap to prevent uncontrollable sudden movement thereof.

Abstract: A vibratory conveyor for advancing stacked wafer-like articles in an edgewise upstanding orientation includes a vibratory trough having a vibratory base portion of a width which is less than the width of the entire vibratory trough. The conveyor further has a non-vibratory, elongated base component situated adjacent the vibratory base portion and having a width which, together with the width of the vibratory base portion constitutes substantially the width of the entire vibratory trough. In response to an operational parameter of the vibratory conveyor, the articles are caused to be disengaged from the vibratory base portion and engaged solely by the non-vibratory base component, whereby conveyance of the articles is interrupted.

Abstract: In this apparatus for separating a pallet which is to be extracted from a rack at a removal side on a roller conveyor, a stop latch is provided for retaining following pallets, said latch being operated by a control flap connected by way of a rod and a toggle mechanism. The toggle mechanism comprises two arms. To define the collapsed position of the toggle mechanism there is provided on the toggle mechanism arm a projection which bears against the pivot pin of the other toggle mechanism arm. The extended position of the toggle mechanism is defined by stops which in the extended position bear either against the pivot pin of the toggle mechanism arm or the pivot pin of the stop latch.

Abstract: A loader/unloader assembly for use with a vertical tiltable platform stores conveyor having a horizontal load position, a vertical stowed position and an intermediate inclined unload position. The load platform contains guide pins cooperating with a race track-shaped guide groove for selectably positioning the load platform in the three positions. When the load platform is in the unload position, a spring biased camming plate prevents displacement of one of the guide pins except upon application of a predetermined downward force to the load platform which serves to move the camming plate to an inhibit position and activate a switch to disconnect power from the conveyor system and stop conveyor movement. The force necessary to trigger the inhibit action may be selectably adjusted on the loader/unloader assembly.

Abstract: A load-unload device is disclosed for use in a vertical conveyor system hng means for sensing a jam condition between a downward moving conveyor tray and an article that has failed to remove from the load-unload device. The device includes linkage means for creating an over-center locked condition automatically releasable at a preset force. A spring receives the load due to a jam and develops the force necessary to unlock the linkage and allow the platform to move to a position for relieving the overload. A limit switch opens the conveyor drive motor down circuit as the platform moves. Provision is made for presetting a limited amount of platform movement without shutting off the conveyor.

Abstract: A reciprocable pusher 18 ejects cigarette pack groups 17 from magazine shafts 12 in three stacked layers, with one cigarette 11a in the middle layer being retained in the magazine by a stop 24 having an end 25 extending across and blocking the ejection path of the cigarette. The stop comprises a pivotably mounted lever spring biased to enable the expulsion of the cigarette when a predetermined mechanical load is exceeded, to thereby prevent jamming and blockage due to non-uniform cigarettes and stacks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively increasing the effective frictional force between a retard member and a feed member by making both the feed member and retard member from conductive elastomers, and providing a source of electrical potential to produce an electrical potential between them. A sensor is located downstream of the retard member that will sense a multi-feed of sheets between the pad and retard member. The sensor effects the production of electrical potential thereby increasing the friction between the two members and causing separation of the multi-feed of sheets. The potential is then removed and the frictional forces returned to the original level.

Abstract: A pair of pivoting, spring-loaded blades positioned in the path of travel of a series of electronic components on a continuous conveyor, center the components on the conveyor; and a plurality of free-moving fingers rest on the components in order to maintain a centered condition as the components are conveyed into the taping mechanism of a component taping machine.