Abstract: A monorail conveyor system used to transport dishes to and from a dishwashing unit including a monorail mountable to a ceiling or a support frame, the monorail being of substantial length such as to form a loop traversing the entire dishwashing system. The monorail is hollow and mounted therein is a continuous chain supported by a plurality of wheels. A number of dish rack holders are each suspended from the chain by vertically extending bars which are pivotably attached to the chain conveyor so that the holder can tilt at a loading or unloading station. Guide wheels and an elongate horizontal track are provided to either support the holders in a horizontal position or permit them to tilt at the aforementioned stations. The guide wheels are preferably mounted at the bottom of the bars below the holders. The track is fixedly mounted and provides a horizontal force to each guide wheel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transporting hanger for a hanging-type conveyor, in particular a circular conveyor, for conveying articles hanging on hooks (45), it being the case that the transporting hanger has a transporting hook (2) with a hook lug (6) which is oriented in the conveying direction (4) and is intended for receiving a hook (45), and there is provided an ejection lever (20) which is arranged on the transporting hanger (1) so as to pivot in the conveying direction (4), such that, upon pivoting, it removes the hook (45) from the hook lug (6) in the conveying direction (4).

Abstract: A sorter includes a plurality of receiver members for receiving a workpiece, and a rotary circulating mechanism driven by a driving unit to circulate along a circulatory path. The circulating mechanism mounts the receiver members to be pivotable about a first pivot axis. On the circulatory path of the rotary circulating mechanism, each receiver member is switchable between an extended posture at which the receiver member is capable of receiving the workpiece and a folded posture at which the receiver member is pivotally folded about the first axis to the vicinity of the rotary circulating mechanism. Each receiver member has at least one second pivot axis extending substantially parallel to the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A conveyor pocket for a hanging conveyor system, in particular for the transport of conveyor articles hanging on hangers, having a pawl (3) which is arranged swingably in a base body (2) and is provided for holding in each case only one carrier on its hook-shaped head region (hook 20), the pawl (3) having an extension (4) protruding from the base body (2) for the swinging of the pawl (3) and thus the opening of the conveyor pocket (1), is characterized by the fact that the pivot axis (7) of the pawl (3) is arranged behind the resting point (15) of the hook (20) on the pawl (3) as seen in direction of transport (T).

Abstract: A load bar assembly is connected for movement with a continuous conveyor system having a path of travel that includes 90 degree turns for transporting goods in an industrial facility to various locations along the path of travel of the conveyor system. The load bar assembly includes an elongate load bar from which the goods are suspended, and the overall bar is significantly longer than the radius of curvature of the smallest 90 degree turn of the conveyor system. To prevent binding of the load bar as it travels along the curved portions of the continuous conveyor system, connection of the load bar to the conveyor system includes two spaced apart attachment points, at least one of which is movable toward and away from the other.

Abstract: A suspension conveyor system with a multiplicity of rollers traveling on a rail network. A load attachment device with a hook designed to carry the hook of a clothes hanger is pivotally mounted on each roller in order to permit loading and unloading of the hook. The load attachment device also has an inclined slide ramp thereon opposite the opening of the hook which engages a leading ramp on a rail parallel to the path of conveyance at a loading/unloading station to pivot the load attachment device into a raised position in which the hook of the clothes hanger to drop through an opening between the slide ramp and onto the rail. When the slide ramp contacts one of a row of clothes hanger already deposited on the rail the load attachment device will pivot upward slightly to lift the end of the hook from the rail thereby releasing the hook of the clothes hanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for the suspended storage of foodstuffs, particularly slabs of chocolate or the like, arranged on shelves (15) lying flat on trays (14) hanging from two parallel chains (12, 13) moving around a closed circuit that includes a supply run and a return run. Each tray (14) is combined with at least one shock absorbing device (61) for restricting the swinging motion thereof, quickly damping said motion and preventing the trays from bumping into one another. For this purpose, the shock absorbing device (61) comprises a braking disc located within a recess provided inside a housing and containing a viscous liquid.

Abstract: Suspension conveyor for transporting suspended material which hangs on a hook, such as garments on coat hangers, with trolleys suspended on a rail. The conveyor has carrying rods on which the hooks are suspended, with at least one descending discharging rod by which the material slides off under gravity. A transfer finger, arranged at the upper end of the discharging rod, and movable against the carrying rod of a trolley in a transfer position to engage underneath the hook, has an ascending ramp section to release the hooks which move over the ascending ramp section. A retaining device keeps the garments away from the transfer position on the trolley carrying rods until the finger is pivoted into the material transfer position.

Abstract: Article handling apparatus includes a pair of first and second spaced parallel elongate conveying tracks defining a conveying path and at least one transfer station. A carrier mechanism is movably mounted on the tracks for linear movement along the conveying path into and out of the transfer station. An article engagement device is mounted on the carrier mechanism and movable relative to the carrier mechanism between a conveying position and a transfer position. A lift actuator mechanism is mounted for vertical movement relative to the spaced conveying tracks at the transfer station. An article engagement device actuator is movably mounted for vertical movement on the carrier mechanism. The article engagement device actuator is linked to the article engagement device and actuates movement of the device between the conveying position and transfer positions upon movement of the device actuator.

Abstract: A mounting structure or holding frame movable along a conveyor system has a locking device which includes a seat with a recess to accommodate a connection component of a workpiece, and a latch pivotable to open or close the recess and bearing a start roller. A securing rail adapted to block the latch in its open or closed position is movable in parallel to the pivotal plane of the latch an bears a start roller. Both start rollers are controlled by cams disposed along the conveying path of the mounting structure.

Abstract: A conveyor has an overhead rail with a generally horizontal portion and an angled portion. Rollers are rotatably supported on the rail and have supports extending therebelow and rotatably connected to the rollers. At least two elongate load bars are spaced apart from one another and located in end-to-end relationship. Loops at adjacent ends of the load bars are supported by the supports. The load bars have a plurality of angular openings spaced uniformly apart to receive hangers for carrying articles and especially panels. The hangers can be placed in any of the angular openings to accommodate panels of various widths. The angular relationship of the hangers and load bar cause the panels to turn when on the angled portion of the conveyor so that they can be placed closer together.

Abstract: An automatic system for sorting items such as small, elongate parcels into groups for different geographical locations. The system uses tilting trays, suspended from a track, with the trays being suspended from at least two carriages. The trays are tilted at the proper output chutes by cam roller mechanisms which are appropriately inserted into the path of cams on the trays under the coordination of a digital controller. A simple drive mechanism moves the carriages along the monorail using a drive roller which presses against the top of the carriages. The carriages may be linked by a pliable linkage assembly that does not include mechanical hinges or like mechanisms. The system is easy to repair and operates at low noise levels.

Abstract: A hanging device for use in a hanging conveyor for receiving the hook of a clothes hanger is adapted to open for the release and/or ejection of the clothes hanger. It has a frame-shaped body and a flap pivotally fastened therein, the frame-shaped body having, in its rear region, a slot which permits the ejection of the hook. With such a hanging device it is possible to load clothes hangers from both sides, even while the conveyor is moving at a high speed.

Abstract: An unloading apparatus for removing articles on hangers from a trolley comprises a hanger receiving member extending alongside the path of the trolley and movable up and down in an arcuate path following the contour of the hanger support bar of the trolley. The hanger support bar engages the tips of the hanger hooks and lifts the hanger hooks off the hanger support bar of the trolley and deposits them on a hanger chute.

Abstract: An accessory (10) for a tilt tray sorter comprises a frame (11) and is adapted to be suspended by a fixture (12) from a transport mechanism of the type usually associated with conventional parcel sorting equipment. The frame (11) carries two or more tilting trays (14) which are attached by pivots (15) to the frame (11). Each of the tilting trays (14) has associated with it, a tilting mechanism (16) which includes a pair of parallel rods (17) suspended below each tray. In addition, a bracket (18) is provided above each tray (14). The bracket carries a cam (19). The cam (19) pivots an upper axis (20). The side of the cam which faces the tray (14) carries a stub (21). The stub (21) is received between the parallel rods (17). Thus, as the cam (19) pivots and returns to its rest position, the tray (14) is displaced from a level position to a tipped position and back again.

Abstract: A conveyor has an overhead conveyor rail with a horizontal portion and an angled portion. A receptacle is carried by supports below the rail with the receptacle positioned transversely to the rail. A two-piece rack hanger has an upper part with an upper angular end portion pivotally connected to the receptacle by a bracket. The hanger has a lower part affixed to a rack for parts or articles and a pivot connects the lower part and the upper part of the hanger. The pivot is separable so that the lower part of the hanger and the rack can be separated from the upper part of the hanger. Stops are associated with the receptacle and upper angular end portion of the hanger to limit transverse movement of the racks as they move on the angled portion of the conveyor. When the racks reach a limited transverse position, they are held in horizontal dispositions by the pivot between the lower and upper parts of the hanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying articles supported on hooked members has a helical member which has a varying pitch and outer diameter for conveying the articles at different speeds along its length. The helical member is coupled on one end to a constant speed motor which rotates the helical member to convey the hooked members forward. The helical member is supported within a tube which includes an entrance portion shaped to rotate the hooked members in conjunction with an spring guide from a first position into a second position. A slot is formed within the support tube for receiving the hooked members from the entrance portion and maintaining the hooked members in the second position upon being conveyed by the helical member.

Abstract: A conveyor has an overhead rail with a chain therebelow moving rollers along the conveyor rail. A first link is affixed to the conveyor chain and extends perpendicularly thereto for all portions of the conveyor rail. A second link is located below the first and carries a part-carrying rack. A universal joint connects a lower end of the upper link and an upper end of the lower link, the latter being angled to place the universal joint yokes at angles relative to one another. When the link assembly moves up or down an ascending or descending portion of the conveyor, the rack carried by the second link is caused to pivot so that the racks can be placed closer together when moving along horizontal portions of the conveyor rail.

Abstract: A work conveying system used for conveying works such as side body panels in a car body assembling line. The system comprises hanger units, routes for conveying the hanger units which hold works to be carried, and opening-and-closing mechanisms. The hanger units are opened at a work loading or delivery area by the opening-and-closing mechanism.

Abstract: A hanger tilt mechanism for a hanging transportation apparatus in which a carrier traveling along a rail is equipped with a hanger having a circular arc-shaped portion so as to be tiltable. The carrier is further equipped with a driving motor and a tilt mechanism for transmitting a rotational force of the driving motor to the circular arc-shaped portion for tilting the hanger. The tilt mechanism, in a preferred embodiment, includes a chain stretched along the circular arc-shaped portion of the hanger and a sprocket which meshes with the chain and is rotated by the driving motor.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor for articles to be transported suspended from hangers, the conveyor having at least one delivery point (A) at which the hangers are to be automatically delivered from a conveyor line into a second line. A swingable slide rail is provided at the delivery point, the rail being adapted to be brought from an upper position of rest into a lower inclined operating position by the weight of a clothing hanger present on it. When the slide rail is in its inclined operating position, a clothing hanger resting on it slides down the slide rail toward a receiving rod in the second line. When the slide rail is in its position of rest, hangers which are not to be delivered are able to pass by the slide rail without being obstructed.

Abstract: A conveyor has an overhead conveyor rail with a horizontal portion and an angled portion. A receptacle is carried by supports below the rail with the receptacle positioned transversely to the rail. A two-piece rack hanger has an upper part with an upper angular end portion received in the receptacle. The hanger has a lower part affixed to a rack for parts or articles and a pivot connects the lower part and the upper part of the hanger. Stops are associated with the receptacle and upper angular end portion of the hanger to limit transverse movement of the racks as they move on the angled portion of the conveyor. When the racks reach a limited transverse position, they are held in horizontal dispositions by the pivots between the lower and upper parts of the hanger.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a carriage suspended with wheels from an overhead track. A suspension mechanism supports a passenger or cargo car from the carriage. The suspension mechanism includes horizontal pivot joint that allows the car to swing about a horizontal axis when traversing bends. A sliding connection between the car and the pivot joint permits the car to displace horizontally relative to the pivot axis. A motor rotates a screw thread mechanism to produce such displacement. A sensor detects inclination of the car relative to vertical in response to uneven weight distribution or wind forces, but is not responsive to centrifugal forces and normal swinging of the car at bends. The sensed inclination of the car may be displayed on a monitor, and controls permit the motor to be actuated to displace the car in a direction in which gravity applies a torque to the car that reduces undesired inclination.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying articles supported on hooked members has a conveying shaft including a helical groove formed within the shaft. The helical groove is adapted to receive the hooked members and to convey the hooked members upon rotation of the shaft. A helical member is coupled on one end to the conveying shaft, and is adapted to receive the hooked members from the conveying shaft and to convey the hooked members upon rotation thereof. The helical member is supported within a support tube which includes an entrance portion formed on the end adjacent to the conveying shaft. The entrance portion is shaped to rotate the hooked members from a first position into a second position by contact therewith, upon the hooked members being conveyed through the entrance portion by the helical member. A slot is formed within the support tube and is adapted to receive the hooked member from the entrance portion. The slot maintains the hooked members in the second position upon being conveyed by the helical member.

Abstract: Tee shirts are manufactured from tubular blanks while retained in a fastened stack and transported from station to station for completion of finishing operations. The blanks have bottom ends and two opposite shoulders, the process including stacking a group of tubular blanks in registry with corresponding bottom ends and shoulder locations of successive tubular blanks disposed over one another in a stack. The bottom edges can be preliminarily hemmed. The stack is attached via a fastener which detachably engages an overhead conveyor. The fastener is attached at the hemmed bottom end such that the tee shirt blanks in the stack remain in registry as they are processed and recover their registry when hung from the conveyor in a stack after a finishing step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hanging device for supporting a hanger on a suspended conveyor, on which articles of clothing may be hung. The hanging device includes a base body; a flap which is pivotally mounted on the base body for pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the direction of transport; the flap having an open position and a closed position; and an arrangement for locating the hook of the clothes hanger on a portion of the base body, resting against the flap, with the flap in its closed position. These and other features of the hanging device provide dependable loading, transport and delivery of the clothes hangers under all circumstances.

Abstract: A storage conveyor which has a loading point and a removal point and in which a removal device is arranged preceding (upstream from) the removal point. The removal device includes a separately driven removal belt which is arranged between the two major courses of the horizontally circulating conveyor chain. The removal belt is guided so that it passes from below the conveyor chain to above it. The hanger hooks which rest with their top region on the conveyor chain are engaged at their tip by the removal belt, lifted off the conveyor chain and transferred to a slide rail at the removal point which they engage at their top region, and along which they then slide under the action of gravity. The removal belt can be moved faster than the conveyor chain, so as to separate the hangers as they are being lifted off the conveyor chain. As a result of these features of the storage conveyor, it is possible to supply and remove the hangers in a straight line so that high throughput is possible.

Abstract: A conveyor which can be used both as a storage conveyor for storing goods hanging on hangers, particularly articles of clothing, and as a feed or an oblique conveyor. A traction belt which rotates in a direction of transport grasps the hanger hooks at their tip, whereby the hangers are engaged away from their center-of-gravity line. In this way, both the loading and the delivery points of the conveyor can be developed in an operatively reliable manner. Since the traction belt, structured preferably as a toothed belt, can be supported at any desired place without preventing or impeding its transporting ability, the storage conveyor can be of any desired length. By means of a guide ledge which is formed on the base body of the conveyor and extends parallel to the direction of transport, the hangers transported are prevented from swinging out and thus sliding out of the conveyor. The particular application of the conveyor is determined by selection of the traction belt.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic machine for lifting, transferring and unloading clothes-hangers between two adjacent overhead conveyor lines, operating in both directions and fitted with a device for opening out the clothes on one of the conveyor lines so as to facilitate unloading the incoming clothing items between the lines. The machine according to the invention consists of a trolley sliding on horizontal runners. A clip may be fitted to the trolley for grasping the hanger hook. This clip translates vertically - for unloading and loading - or rotates up to 180.degree. around a vertical axis up - for tipping over the hanger hook before it is unloaded.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting and hangering an open-necked garment such as a shirt comprises an inspection station having a garment form in the shape of the shoulders of a shirt, and lighting fixtures positioned beneath the garment form so that when a shirt is placed on the garment form the lighting fixtures shine light from the interior of the shirt through the shirt to permit visual inspection of tears, holes, stains and other defects. Hangers are automatically fed to the inspection station immediately adjacent the garment form with the hook portion of the hanger extending through the open neck of the shirt. Once the inspection operation is completed, an automatic hanger take-away device removes the hanger, and the shirt draped over the hanger and garment form, from the inspection station for further processing.

Abstract: A conveyor has hangers with article-carrying racks which automatically turn transversely to the direction of movement when the hangers are below angled portions of the conveyor. The conveyor is of the overhead monorail type which moves hangers along a predetermined path having a generally horizontal portion and an angled portion. The hangers carry receptacles which receive upper portions of rack hooks which carry the racks. The receptacles and upper portions of the hooks are angled in a manner to cause upright portions of the hooks to turn on their axes when the hangers move between positions below the horizontal portion of the rail and positions below the angled portion of the rail. When the upright portions of the hooks are turned, the racks are also turned to the transverse positions.

Abstract: For supplying sheet-like material to packaging machines and other processing machines, a rotating circular conveyor (32) is installed within a production or packaging plant. Reel carriers (34) rotate continuously in its conveying rail (33). Reels are automatically picked up in the region of a loading station (36, 36a, etc) and, after rotation about a vertical axis, are automatically taken off from the reel carrier at an unloading station (71) by being stripped off.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting garment hangers has an overhead track for one or more trolleys having horizontal webs for the hooks of a series of garment hangers. An upwardly sloping first ramp is adjacent a portion of the path of movement of the web of an oncoming trolley, and a downwardly sloping second ramp follows the first ramp. The ramps are disposed at one side of the track and diverge laterally from the path of movement of the trolleys. A conveyor with a set of entraining pins is set in motion when a trolley approaches the upwardly sloping ramp to transfer successive hooks or groups of successive hooks from the web of the foremost loaded trolley onto the first ramp where the hooks advance toward and thereupon slide along the second ramp. A second conveyor can be set in motion when a trolley approaches the first ramp to positively advance the foremost loaded trolley along the first ramp. The two conveyors can be driven by a common prime mover.

Abstract: A conveyor on which tires are suspended, with sufficient travel to ensure that they dry out following treatment, for conveying them through a distribution chamber for the solution, equipped with devices for discharging jets of the solution; a movable arm is inserted in between two adjacent tires and temporarily lifts off at least one of them in order to rotate it in front of the discharge devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting and hangering laundered pairs of pants comprises an inspection station, a hangering station and a take-away device. The inspection station includes a pants gripper which supports a pair of pants at the waist with the legs in an extended position to permit simultaneous visual and touch inspection of the pants, after which the pant legs are folded along their creases on a folding table. Hangers are delivered one at a time to a hanger catch plate at one end of the folding table which supports the hangers slightly beneath the plane of the tabletop. The pant legs are slid along the folding table and partially draped over the end of the table and the bottom wire of the hanger supported on the hanger catch plate. A take-away device contacts the hook portion of the hanger and lifts it upwardly, carrying the pants therewith, and then discharges the hangered pants onto a take-away rail for movement to another station for further processing.

Abstract: A product conveyor for a processing chamber in use in a meat processing facility, where meat products are carried through the facility on carriers, and the conveyor for the processing chamber having trolleys with hooks, which engage the carriers carrying the products and lift the carriers off the carrier rail from the other facilities in the plant, and carry them through the processing chamber and then lower then down onto a further carrier rail for movement through the remainder of the facility, the hooks disengaging from the carriers which are then free to move.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing objects comprising a locking arm (6) which is pivotally mounted in a frame (2) and in a securing position is forced against a surface of the frame with the object lying in between and is swung into a released position from the securing position. The surface forms a limit stop for the locking arm (6) which restricts the pivotal motion of the locking arm (6) in one direction of pivoting. The apparatus incorporates devices (7) for rearranging the locking arm in such a way that it is able to swing past the limit stop into a released position.

Abstract: Load bars are transferred, in loaded condition, to or from the hangers of an overhead conveyor by a load transfer apparatus having a pair of parallel tracks approaching the power-driven conveyor path perpendicularly. The parallel tracks guide manually movable trolleys toward the power-driven conveyor path. The ends of these tracks nearest the power-driven conveyor are pivotable downwardly. To transfer a load from the manual trolleys to the power conveyor, the power conveyor is stopped, suspension chains of the power conveyor trolleys are hooked to the load bar, and the pivoted track sections are lowered until the suspension chains of the power-driven trolleys bear the load. Suspension chains of the manually movable trolleys can then be disconnected from the load bar, and the manual trolleys are removed from the tracks for reuse.The tracks are designed with flanges which prevent removal of the manual trolleys except at specified locations.

Abstract: A loading/unloading apparatus for loading/unloading a work on/from a moving hanger having a vertically extending support rod and an arm for carrying a work fixed at one end to the support rod. The apparatus comprises a truck, a rail extending in parallel with the arm, a framework slidably mounted on the rail, an upper work-holding device supported by the framework via a lifter, a lower work-holding means supported by the framework via clamp driving device, and a hanger clamping device means. Since the truck is driven at the same speed as the hanger, loading/unloading without stopping the conveyer is possible. Also, since the upper and lower work-holding device are moved in a direction parallel to the direction in which the arm extends, no interference between the work and the arm occurs during loading/unloading. Finally, since the apparatus includes a hanger clamping device means, inclination of the hanger during loading/unloading is prevented.

Abstract: The system for suspendingly transporting bodies according to the invention comprises a carriage (4) movable along a predetermined path (P) as guided by guide rails (2) and a support (5) mounted to a lower portion of the carriage (4) through suspenders (32A, 32B). The support (5) comprises a support frame (28) tiltable relative to the carriage (4) and a hanger (30) attached to the support frame (28) and rotatable about a vertical axis (29), the hanger (30) being adapted to support a body (X) thereon. The support frame (28) has lock devices (31) for locking the hanger (30). At a specified location there are disposed a release device (51) for releasing each lock device (31) and a hanger handling device (60) which engages the hanger (30) from below to turn it through a specified angle.

Abstract: A self-service apparatus for the delivery of sheet-like articles, such as garments, comprises at least two parallel rails having notches defining a plurality of locations at each of which can be stored an article on a hanger ready to be delivered to a customer. In response to an authorized request by a customer, a carriage is driven along the rails for picking up and conveying an article from any specific location to a reception region at which the article can be received by the customer. The apparatus also includes a control device which is actuated as a selected article is picked-up by the carriage so as to rotate the article from its storage position to a position at which it is held edgewise-on as it is conveyed towards the reception region.

Abstract: A poultry line divider has a rotatable wand constructed so as to engage and move a selected sequence of shackles to one side of a line divider guide while permitting the other shackles to pass unengaged onto the other side of the line divider guide.

Abstract: The apparatus according to the present invention includes a rotatable leg-holding wheel for holding the legs of the bird. Said leg-holding wheel is mounted close to both the terminal portion of the defeathering line and the initial portion of the eviscerating line and operates to cause the birds to transfer from the defeathering line onto the eviscerating line. On the frame for the leg-holding wheel are fixedly mounted an engaging guide member for guiding the bird suspended from the defeathering shackle and for causing it to engage the leg-holding notches of the leg-holding wheel, a cutter for cutting the ankles of the bird engaged by the leg-holding notches to release the bird from the defeathering shackle, and an inclining guide member and a releasing guide member which coact to release the bird held in the leg-holding notches and cause it to engage with the eviscerating shackle.

Abstract: To provide for transfer of folded products, such as folded printed sheets received from a printing machine, between storage bins and a conveyor transport system, transport sheets which, at least in part, are magnetizable, are retained in the storage bins; a transfer element (9) in form of an endless elongated belt or the like has electromagnets secured thereto which are selectively energized to pick up the transfer sheets. The transfer element or belt is guided in a path past a delivery end (7") of a storage holder, then into the path of the transport system (2, 3) for transfer of folded products (1) from or to the sheets, and return of the sheets to a receiving end of the storage bin, at which point the magnets are deenergized to release the sheets into the bin, and can continue to travel--while deenergized--in an endless path for subsequent pick-up of sheets.

Abstract: A sewing machine operating station which cooperates with an overhead conveyor system having a number of trolleys which convey partly-formed garments between working stations, each trolley having a delivery arm from which garments can be suspended, and delivered to a working station. Each working station comprises a table, a sewing machine mounted on the table, and a working surface adjacent to the sewing machine and onto which a partly-formed garment can be placed in order to undergo a sewing operation. An inverted L-shaped guide is mounted on the table and can be coupled-up with the delivery arm of a trolley so as to guide a supply of partly-formed garments, suspended therefrom, to a position adjacent to the working surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing strips (13) from compartments (2) wherein the strips (13) are disposed horizontally in hook-shaped brackets (3) comprises an inclined conveyor (7) movable into the region of a compartment (2) that is in the pickup position. A device (17) at the upper end of this inclined conveyor lifts the strips (13) off the conveyor, and an installation (23) removes the strips from the end of the device (17) on the delivery side.

Abstract: A hanger conveyance for the transport of left-hand and right-hand automobile door assemblies from and back to a loading site through a door fitting station and then through an unloading site, which hanger has first and second door supports for the support of the door assemblies generally in parallel relation to each other. The door assemblies removed from an automobile body structure are loaded onto the respective first and second supports at the loading site and are then transported towards the door fitting station with the left-hand and right-hand door assemblies confronting first and second directions opposite to each other, respectively. At the door fitting station, the hanger is turned 180.degree. about a vertical axis to render the left-hand and right-hand door assemblies to confront the second and first directions, respectively, after one of the door assemblies has been tooled up from one side and is again turned 180.degree.

Abstract: Apparatus for weighing a succession of articles comprises a plurality of article carriers, for example poultry carcass carrying hooks 19, interconnected, for example by a chain 16, for movement in succession along a path. A weighing device is positioned at a weighing station 22 and means are provided to lower each article carrier at the weighing station to apply load to the weighing device. The article carriers may for example be lowered as a result of being pressed downwardly by means of a dipping portion of rail 26. By lowering each article carrier during weighing, it is possible to weigh the article carried by the carrier without significantly changing the vertical position of the article with respect to adjacent articles, thus reducing the risk that the weight recorded will be inaccurate because of any drag applied by adjacent articles.

Abstract: In a booth in which articles are carried along a pathway for treatment with sprayed material directed through nozzles or the like at the pathway, apparatus is provided for positively rotating the conveyed articles to assure uniform treatment on all sides thereof. Article supports are connected to the conveyer, each having a first portion carried by the conveyer and a second portion rotatable relative to the first portion for holding an article. A toothed member on the second portion is positively engaged by and driven by links of a link belt to rotate the second hanger portion and the article held thereon.

Abstract: A poultry load is pivotally suspended by a hook from a carrier body in a travel position without latching and is displaced to a load releasing position by a signal operated mechanism during travel of the carrier body along a conveyor path. A stop bar engages the load during displacement of the hook to the releasing position for load drop purposes.