Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus and method for sorting gemstones from a batch of gemstones. The apparatus comprises one or more measurement locations, each comprising at least one measurement device configured to measure one or more properties of a gemstone. A continuously moveable surface supports the gemstones thereon and transports the gemstones to the one or more measurement locations. A separation device separates the gemstones from one another as they are transported on the moveable surface to the one or more measurement locations. A location trigger at a sensor location comprises a sensor for identifying when the gemstone passes through the sensor location.

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 dust and particulate containment system for an open sided gallery conveyor, having a movable curtain for covering the open side of the conveyor and a trough positioned within and extending along a length of the conveyor. A rail is arranged within the conveyor and a carriage, having an opening for transferring bulk materials therethrough via a sealed connection to a cross conveyor, is positioned to move along this rail. Sealing strips in the trough retain the curtain tautly in place and seal the open side of the conveyor. As each carriage moves along the rail, a spreader frame attached to the carriage biasingly opens the sealing strips, and temporarily frees the curtain from being retained, so that the freed curtain is lifted over the carriage to avoid covering the opening in the carriage, so that transfer of bulk materials in the conveyor can occur through the opening.

Abstract: A conveyor for positioning a meat product to be cut having a track attached to a frame, a chain slidably mounted on the track, a plurality of flights connected to the chain and a guide bar connected to the frame wherein the conveyor advances product forward at a loading end, maintains the product in a stable position through a transport section, and releases the product at a discharge end such that the product drops off the guide bar.

Abstract: A bolt diversion system for use with a conveyor system having a conveyor chain for towing a movable cart. The bolt diversion system is used to prevent debris from interfering with operation of the conveyor chain. The bolt diversion system includes first and second rails, disposed vertically and spaced from one another so as to define a slot therebetween. Lower faces of the rails are disposed close to and in overlapping relationship to upper lateral edges of the chain so as to define a small gap between the first and second rails and the conveyor chain that is smaller than the debris, so that the debris remains in the slot and on top of the conveyor chain. The debris is conveyed by the conveyor chain to a debris removal zone in which a wiper arm assembly is provided. The wiper arm assembly includes a wiper arm that extends across a top of the conveyor chain. The wiper arm knocks debris off of the conveyor chain and into a debris collection container.

Abstract: The passive transfer guide of the present invention is positioned in a section of tangency between a first continuous loop conveyor and a second continuous loop conveyor, with a first guide lane for directing a specimen carrier from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, and a second guide lane for directing a specimen carrier from the second conveyor to the first conveyor. The guide includes a horizontally oriented “H”-shaped central member having a pair of upper legs, a pair of lower legs, and a cross-member connecting the upper and lower legs. The upper legs and an upper portion of the cross-member form one specimen carrier-directing lane, and the lower legs and a lower portion of the cross-member form the second carrier-directing lane.

Abstract: Rotating conveyor for the evacuation of metallic shavings resulting from mechanical work processes comprising a collection container in which is able to rotate a motorised bucket above whose bottom wall is positioned the lower end of an evacuation conduit connected to an aspiration unit, for instance pneumatic. A stationary conveying member extends between the vertical axis of rotation of the bucket and the lower end of the evacuation conduit to convey the shavings below it.

Abstract: A system which utilizes a scraper blade, set at an angle to longitudinal centerline of a conveyor belt, to remove metal objects therefrom, the belt, under normal operating conditions, being supported in a trough-like configuration. Attached to the backside of the blade is a pair of high density plastic press-down feet. They protrude downwardly a short distance below the lower edge of the scraper blade; and each press-down foot, immediately prior to belt flattening, is disposed above a part of the trough-shaped belt which situated just inside one of its outer edges. Making contact with the belt slightly ahead of the scraper blade, the press-down feet flatten the belt, protecting it as the blade is being lowered. Any contact between the belt and the blade occurs along its lower edge which is covered by a high density rubber guard beneath which the belt can slip. Similarly, beneath the belt are mounted flat, elongated strips made of a high density plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating and controlling the flow of articles between conveyors includes a first conveyor moving in a first direction and a second conveyor onto which the articles from the first conveyor are to be transferred. The second conveyor moves generally in the same direction and parallel to the first conveyor along a portion thereof defining a transfer point. A guide device defines an inlet on the first conveyor at the transfer point. The guide device is oriented so as to extend across and move articles from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. The guide device defines the tortuous path that changes directions at least three times, for example, by three opposite radii of curvatures, such that the articles that are in direct end to end contact on the first conveyor are separated by the guide device.

Abstract: A system and a process is provided for reducing the dust formation during the transfer of a particulate material on an endless conveyor belt. During transfer of the material on the conveyor belt the material is first sprayed with a wetting agent then by application of a plow the moving material is lifted from the bottom of the belt and is diverted towards the side edges of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces. The material is then again sprayed then contacted with baffles to redirect the material from the side edges towards the center of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces which are then again sprayed with a wetting agent to substantially eliminate dusting. The plow and baffle combination can also be used for uniformly mixing two or more particulate materials on a moving belt.

Abstract: The conveyor system of the present invention comprises a first conveyor having an extending edge with a tapered profile, and a second, discontinuously-aligned conveyor, the conveying surface of which is directed below, but in close proximity to, the tapered profile of the first conveyor edge for the direct transfer of articles therebetween.

Abstract: A dual-stream book pivot machine is provided which turns books moved therealong 90.degree. to present a labeling area thereon in proper orientation and includes belts for moving the books downstream and a stop positioned in the path of the books moving therealong. Two parallel streams are preferably provided so that books, which have their greatest surface resting in engagement with the belts, can move in side-by-side relationship, each being turned to avoid interference with the books in the adjacent stream. The stops are positioned at one side of the belts for moving the books, the stop thus creating a point about which the books pivot and move laterally at least the width of the stop. The stop is elongated to present a guide preventing spinning of the pivoted books and thereby retaining the books in the proper orientation for handling by machines located downstream therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for evenly distributing coated cereal pieces across the width of a conveyer is disclosed including a steep angled, V-shaped plow (24) supported in varying angular positions by saddles (38) above the conveyer. Specifically, three saddles (38) slideably support a semicircular shaped carrier (12) secured to and between the first and second legs (26, 28) of the plow (24). A connector arm (66) is connected to a leg (28) of the plow (24) for moving the carrier (12) and the plow (24) secured thereto along an arc having a center downstream of the interconnection of the legs (26, 28) of the plow (24) and in the preferred form at the center of the semicircular shape of the carrier (12). The saddles (38) are vertically, adjustably secured to a support arm (46) which in turn can be raised or lowered relative to the conveyer. The plow (24) is positioned to engage the product pile on the conveyer and due to the steep angle of the legs (26, 28) of the plow (24) and the Teflon.RTM.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic, quantitiative determination of an impurity contained in a product with an uneven upper surface travelling in bulk on a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a leveling system including a half-cylinder formed of a plastic sheet, and having an arcuate surface downwardly directed toward the belt with the cylinder axis perpendicular to the direction of the belt and having a length which is less than the width of the belt. The half-cylinder is fixed to a frame attached to a lever arm which is in equilibrium about a horizontal shaft. A jack is provided for adjusting the lever arm and enabling the arcuate surface of the half-cylinder to be brought into contact with product travelling on the belt, the jack having a head connected to the lever arm so as to enable the lever arm to oscillate as the leveling device follows variations of the thickness of product travelling on the belt.

Abstract: An article conveyor and package aligner comprises a pair of guide members converging from an infeed station to an outfeed station, a conveyor for moving articles toward the outfeed station, and a pair of levers, one connected to each guide member, below the conveyor. The levers are cantilevered, each carrying a latching pin or roller and a notch cooperating with a similar pin and roller and notch on the other lever. The levers lie closely adjacent and cross each other so as to comprise an escapement mechanism which is in either an "at rest" condition, a locked condition or a released condition, depending on the position of a package traveling along the conveyor and the relation of that package to one or both of the guide members. A package contacting one guide member causes locking of the escapement mechanism and thereby of the guide member which is so contacted, forcing the package laterally until it contacts the other guide member.

Abstract: A bundle turning unit comprises a turnpost which is arranged in a vertical attitude with respect to the direction of feed of a bundle on a conveyor. The turnpost is movable at a controlled rate by a power-operated device between an advanced position in which the turnpost overlies the conveyor by a predetermined maximum distance and a retracted position spaced from the advanced position. The turnpost is moved between the advanced position and the retracted position as the bundle is advanced by the conveyor to cause the bundle to be turned through substantially 90.degree. with respect to the plane of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method for positioning articles to be processed by a machine is performed by apparatus comprising first and second article guide members which convergently extend into an article entryway along which articles are conveyed. The guide members are spring biased into an article positioning orientation across at least a portion of the entryway and maintained in that article positioning orientation by first and second levers extending beneath the article entryway and including an interlock. The interlock releases the article guide members only upon an article contacting both of the guide members. The interlock comprises a release slot and at least one locking notch extending from one side of one end of the slot on one lever and a pin for engaging the slot and locking notch on the other lever.

Abstract: A sugar cane harvester which includes a conveyor for conveying sugar cane billets and a rake assembly suspended above the billet conveyor and including a number of spaced apart prongs which engage billets on the conveyor to strip trash and leaves therefrom and level out the billets on the conveyor.

Abstract: Electronic components, such as resistors with bodies of different lengths and axially protruding leads, are fed along a feed path and between a pair of rotating members. Each rotating member has fingers that are flexed away from the feed path for reception of the component bodies between cooperating fingers of the rotating members, after which these fingers close onto the bodies to center them on the feed path.An opposed pair of the flexible fingers, one from each rotating member, retain each component in a centered condition along the feed path until corresponding leads of consecutive components are taped together at a subsequent taping station to form a ladder-like belt of components.

Abstract: In a device for conveying heaps of debris resulting when mining minerals or for conveying other lumpy material by means of a chain conveyor (1), belt conveyor or the like, in which device the conveyor is passed through a channel (5) having a width approximately corresponding to the width of the conveyor (1) and is guided before the channel (5), as seen in conveying direction (a), between inclined walls (7, 8) laterally extending beyond the width of the conveyor (1) and in which device there are arranged inclined deflection walls before the ingress location (6) into the channel, there exists the risk that blocks having too great a longitudinal size become jammed within the channel (5). For avoiding this risk, there is arranged an obliquely ascending deflection wall (11) in transverse direction relative to the conveying direction (a), said deflection wall including, as seen in a vertical plane extending in parallel relation to the conveying direction (a), with the plane of the conveyor (1) an angle (.alpha.

Abstract: Belt conveyor comprises first and second endless belts in side-by-side relationship which move in opposite directions. Articles such as connector housings are loaded onto the first belt at its first end and carried towards the second end of the first belt. The articles may be in either of two stable attitudes. A sorting guide extends transversely across the first belt and separates the articles in the second stable attitude from those in the first attitude, the articles in the second attitude being pushed onto the second belt. The articles pushed onto the second belt are carried to the first end of the second belt and transferred laterally to the first end of the first belt. The attitudes of the articles transferred are changed during transfer so that they are then in the first stable attitude.

Abstract: A mechanism for centering the body of an electrical component in a carrier during a phase of processing the component. A pair of centering fingers are pivotally supported for movement toward and away from the carrier and adjustably downwardly biased toward the carrier to accurately position the centering fingers at the juncture of the component body and leads during centering.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly having a first, generally, horizontal, endless belt conveyor and a second, generally horizontal, endless belt conveyor extending perpendicular to the first conveyor and with its trailing end overlapped with the leading end of the first conveyor to carry articles away from the first conveyor. Each conveyor has several laterally spaced belts. Where the conveyors overlap their belts are interleaved to transfer articles properly from the first conveyor onto the second conveyor. The second conveyor has a top piece just below the upper course of travel for its belt with an opening having round-tipped, tapered teeth at the front to prevent the strings or the like on a laundry article being conveyed from getting tangled in the drive roller at the leading end of this conveyor.

Abstract: In a bottle- and can-filling machine the bottles after filling are fed from a star wheel directly to a capping carrousel and cans after filling are fed from the star wheel via a feed device along a feed path to a closing machine. This feed device is a feed chain extending from the closing machine right up to the star wheel of the filling machine and lying to the side of the center of the can path at the star wheel. Normally the chain lies to the outside of the center of this path at the star wheel and has fingers engageable behind the cans.

Abstract: A potato handling apparatus includes a roller conveyor for receiving a continuous stream of irregularly sized potatoes with an aligning section at the upstream end of the conveyor which includes a series of two parallel flaps for turning and pushing the potatoes lengthwise into the valleys of the roller conveyor. To eliminate all but one potato from each valley, a singulating section is provided. The singulating section includes a rod longitudinally disposed adjacent one edge of the roller conveyor and a series of parallel overlapping sprocket-like discs which extend diagonally across the conveyor to a downstream position which is inwardly spaced from said edge of the conveyor. Each disc has cogs formed on the periphery thereof which perforate the valleys in succession to a depth which prevents the potatoes from being pinched between the discs and rollers.

Abstract: A dust seal for a material conveyor belt and material chute includes an elongated body of a polygonal configuration. The body includes an axial bore defined within the body and extending the length thereof. An attachment device is included for securing the dust seal at a point upstream of the chute and on the belt to allow gravity and friction developed between the moving belt and the dust seal to move the dust seal to a position adjacent the chute so as to provide a seal to prevent the escape of material from around the chute.

Abstract: A conveyor for granular material includes an elongated hollow channel covered by a suitable cover and having a hollow interior along which the granular material is to be conveyed. A rotary screw extends along the hollow interior of the channel for conveying the granular material therein, this rotary screw including an elongated shaft and a screw carried thereby. Between the opposed ends of the elongated shaft there is situated within the channel at least on bearing which supports the shaft for rotary movement, and a transverse wall extends across the interior of the channel and is supported thereby, this transverse wall carrying the bearing, so that the bearing together with the transverse wall carrying the same block the travel of the granular material longitudinally along the interior of the channel.

Abstract: A method for positioning articled to be processed by a machine is performed by apparatus comprising first and second article guide members which convergently extend into an article entryway along which articles are conveyed. The guide members are spring biased into an article positioning orientation across at least a portion of the entryway and maintained in that article positioning orientation by first and second levers extending beneath the article entryway and including an interlock. The interlock releases the article guide members only upon an article contacting both of the guide members. The interlock comprises a release slot and at least one locking notch extending from one side of one end of the slot on one lever and a pin for engaging the slot and locking notch on the other lever.