Abstract: A conveyor for the transport of bulk materials contains three pairs of supporting cables located vertically one above another. A conveyor belt is movable along the supporting cables and at its ends guided over return drums. Fastened to the conveyor belt are supporting beams having ends mounting rollers, which roll along the middle and lower supporting cables. Supporting frames are located at a distance apart in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor and by which the supporting cables are mutually connected. The supporting frames are formed by two vertically aligned supporting struts and two horizontally aligned connecting struts and, the upper ends of the supporting struts are connected to one of the upper supporting cables. The connecting struts are connected by clamping devices located thereon to the middle and to the lower supporting cables. The clamping devices located on the connecting struts form an acute angle with the connecting struts.

Abstract: The device for transporting flat objects from an output unit to an input unit has a conveyor belt with several pairs of flaps to transport flat objects in suspended fashion. A feed unit serves to convey the flat objects into the flaps from below. Each flap has a first side piece and a second side piece, which define an intermediate space for holding an edge section of the flat object. The first side pieces and the second side pieces of the flaps of each pair of flaps face each other. Each flap can be pivoted between an open position for picking up and releasing the flat object and a closed position for transporting the flat objects.

Abstract: A device and method for transport of flexible, two dimensional products and performance of associated production processing of those products, by which the flexible, two-dimensional products are serially conveyed to a workstation and are conveyed away from the workstation again by the same gripper transporter, which enables the workstation to be selectively removed from the production process being performed along the transport path of the printed products, and to be selectively re-introduced again the transport path, in a flexible manner.

Abstract: A conveyor system having a plurality of conveyor modules which are secured together in an end-to-end relationship. Each conveyor module includes a frame and a plurality of drive rollers rotatably mounted along one side of the frame, and a motor mounted to the frame is drivingly connected to the drive rollers. A first upper guide is also mounted to the frame at a position spaced upwardly from the drive rollers. At least one work support includes a lower rail supported by the drive rollers and an upper follower slidably positioned within the upper guide.

Abstract: A cafeteria tray accumulator includes a plurality of tray holding cages that are suspended from a drive track that moves in a loop with one transverse leg disposed above another transverse leg. Each tray-holding cage includes a plurality of shelves that hold cafeteria trays on above the other. A counterbalance mechanism is used to prevent the cages from swaying back and forth. The counterbalance mechanism may be an offset rail or a wheel carried by the cage that engages a support structure. The accumulator has increased tray capacity because of the multiple tray-holding cages and the two transverse legs of the drive path.

Abstract: A installation for transporting goods has a conveyor belt with supporting bars carried thereon transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor belt. Two vertically spaced-apart supporting tracks are formed in each case by two supporting cables. Running rollers that are disposed at the lateral ends of the supporting bars can be moved along the two or more supporting cable pairs. The supporting cables are connected to one another by spaced-apart retaining frames, on which the supporting cables for the running rollers are fastened. At least one further supporting cable, on which the retaining frames are likewise fastened, is provided above the upper pair of supporting cables for the running rollers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspended conveyer device for conveying supports (7) for goods to be conveyed along conveyer paths (54, 58), comprising a running rail arrangement with running rails (52, 56) which are associated with the conveyer paths and on which the supports (7) for goods to be conveyed can be guided. According to the invention, a rerouting station (50) is provided which is constructed to selectively reroute supports (7) for goods to be conveyed from a first conveyer path (54) to a second conveyer path (58) or to leave them on the first conveyer path (54), and to selectively reroute supports (7) for goods to be conveyed from the second conveyer path (58) to the first conveyer path (54) or to leave them on the second conveyer path (58). The invention also relates to a rerouting station of this type.

Abstract: A chain conveying apparatus for spouts or bags having spouts, including a pair of annular chains. The attachment plates are provided on the respective oppositely-rotating annular chains so that the attachment plates have play in a vertical direction. Centering guide members are disposed so as to be close to the axial portions of the spouts so as to regulate the movements of the spouts in the direction perpendicular to the attachment plates' moving direction; upper-side guide members and lower-side guide members are disposed above and below the attachment plates so as to regulate the height position of the attachment plates; and flange regulating members are disposed so as to be above the flanges of the spouts, which is being conveyed, with a narrow gap between the flange regulating members and the flanges so as to regulate an upward movement of the spouts.

Abstract: A spout-equipped bag feed apparatus allows an increased number of spout-equipped bags to be stored. A plurality of conveyor rails are attached to a conveying device at a predetermined space and carried along an endless track. Each conveyor rail is capable of being loaded with and unloaded of a plurality of spout-equipped bags from one end thereof and capable of supporting the spout portions of the bags in such a manner that the bags are movable in the axial direction. Loading of bags into the conveyor rail is effected with a bag loading tool capable of being loaded with and unloaded of bags from one end thereof and capable of supporting the spout portions of the bags in such a manner that the bags are movable in the axial direction. The one end of the bag loading tool is butted against the one end of the conveyor rail, and the bags are pushed into the conveyor rail.

Abstract: For transporting bottles with a carrying ring in the neck region, particularly PET bottles, along a specified path of motion through processing stations (2, 3, 4, 5, 6), of a processing installation particularly a bottle-filling installation, in each case a number of bottles (8), grouped in a row (9) transversely to the direction of transport (20), is transported by a carrier (13) and positioned relative to the latter. The carriers (13) can be moved by conveying chains (11) or similar driving means at uniform intervals consecutively from a bottle feeding station (1) past at least one processing station, especially a filling station, to a bottle delivery station (7) and, from there, empty back to the bottle feeding station. As carrier for a row (9) of bottles (8), a cellular board-like flat carrying strip (13) is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying articles, particularly articles such as containers, or bottles, having a neck portion with a neck ring thereon, along an article conveying path with the articles being urged along the article conveying path by article engaging members extending from a plurality of sections of an elongated movable member that extends along a second path adjacent and horizontally offset from the article conveying path.

Abstract: A connecting device for transport chains for the support and entrainment of plates for moving walkways or of steps for escalators of the type having two parallel chain runs to be joined together at a transverse spacing by connecting tubes serves to fasten the chain runs to the connecting tubes in a manner which facilitates subsequent detachment. Axle stubs of chain pins, which are constructed as support roller axles are pushed into the connecting tubes at both ends and are mechanically positively firmly held in an end position by slots in the connecting tube, a circular recess in the axle stub and a spring clip. The mechanically positive coupling is effected after the snapping of the spring clip through the slot into the circular recess of the axle stub, as in the end position of slot and circular recess are aligned with each other.

Abstract: A conveyor chain includes chain links connected by connecting pins. Each chain link is provided with a bottle conveyor member attached to a main offset link member having a pin link, a bushing, and a conveyor member attachment plate of a synthetic resin or plastics. The conveyor chain is supported by sprocket wheels and chain guidance members to configure a conveyor chain apparatus. The arrangement is such that a pair of the conveyor chain apparatuses are disposed on each side of a conveyor path for bottles and also a holder ring provided at a mouth portion of a bottle is held from both sides by the bottle conveyor members. The conveyor chain apparatus is configured so that bottles are conveyed thereby in a state suspended from neck portions thereof.

Abstract: A conveyor chain for linked sausages has a plurality of spaced first hook carriers with second hook carriers pivotally secured thereto between pairs of the first hook carriers. A generally J-shaped hook having an elongated shank is secured to each of the first and second hook carriers by one of the ends of the shank. A roller bearing is rotatably mounted on that end of the shank on only the shanks depending from the second hook carriers. The roller bearings engage teeth on a sprocket wheel spaced to operatively drivingly engage only the shanks depending from the second hook carriers. The conveyor chain is continuous in nature and movably extends through an enclosed smoke compartment for subjecting the loops of linked sausages to the smoke material, either of a liquid nature, or natural smoke.

Abstract: A flatware sorting machine including a feed bin for holding unsorted flatware, a sorting system for sorting the flatware, and a flatware pick-up and transport system for retrieving the flatware from the feed bin and transporting them to the sorting system.

Abstract: The device belongs to the category of transporting devices and refers to a transporter for containers possessing protruding collars and moved by means of suspension from the neck in which pulling elements are connected with driving elements in such a way that the active marginal extremity of the said pulling elements on which the protruding collars of the container rests in order to be pulled along, whose motion describes a path which is substantially identical even in curved sections, to that described by the driving elements, having substantially the same curvature and moving through a movement plain different from that of the driving elements.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting wire coils and similar products in a rolling mill or the like, including conveyor system, along which a load carrier, carrying the wire coil, is intended to be conveyed, and the conveyor system having a large number of modules, placed in series, and each one having a driving unit and a plurality of the wheel pairs, which are driven by the driving unit, and which are intended to bring the load carrier forwards or backwards. Each module has such a design that it can be used when transporting horizontally and vertically arranged wire coils. The driving unit includes a motor which is intended to drive one of the wheel pairs, the driving force from his wheel pair being intended to be transmitted to an adjacent wheel pair by means of a transmission belt.

Abstract: A materials carrying apparatus and method is provided. The apparatus includes a frame. A first carrier is supported within the frame for carrying materials thereon. The first carrier is located in an access position for access to and use of the materials by a user. A second carrier is supported within the frame and located in a storage position for carrying materials thereon. The storage position is vertically spaced apart from the access position. An elevator assembly vertically moves the second carrier from the storage position into the access position when the materials of the first carrier have been exhausted.

Abstract: A self-loading tobacco trailer is provided for loading and transporting burley tobacco stalks impaled on tobacco rods. The trailer comprises a wheeled undercarriage configured to be connected to a work vehicle; a generally upright side structure running lengthwise relative to the trailer; and a tobacco rod carrying assembly also running lengthwise relative to the trailer and supported by the side structure. The tobacco rod carrying assembly may comprise oppositely faced parallel carrying members at a height such that the tobacco stalks impaled on the tobacco rods hang freely within the side structure between the carrying members. Chains guided by the carrying members transversely position the tobacco rods with respect to the carrying members. A drive mechanism is operatively connected to the chains and is configured to move them in at least one lengthwise direction with respect to the carrying members.

Abstract: A motorized accessory holder (12) includes a body (4) having a lower region defining a circumferential track (14). A belt assembly (6), including a continuous loop belt (28) and support arms (34) extending outwardly from the belt, is housed within the body. A drive assembly (8), used to drive the belt along a continuous loop path with the outer ends (38) of the support arms supported by the track, is also housed within the body. Different types of accessory supports (10) adapted to support different types of accessories are removably secured to and hang from the support arms. For example, the accessory supports can be configured to support neckties, earrings, necklaces, belts or even spice jars.

Abstract: A device for transporting banana bunches includes two substantially horizontal slides supported by a platform. The slides are formed with first and second interconnected levels of moving tracks receiving a purality of pairs of rollers. Each pair of rollers is interconnected by a cross-bar, so that each pair of rollers moves laterally and passes from the first level to the second level and visa versa. A purality of shock absorber units are anchored to each cross-bar. Arrangements for hanging the banana bunches are situated between the shock absorber units.

Abstract: A conveyor system for pivotally suspended carrier containers travelling through a closed path composed of interconnected straight portions each lying at a right angle to the previous and to the next portion. The subsequent portions of the path through which travel the carrier containers are each composed of a sub-conveyor comprising two parallel straight flights interconnected by 180.degree. bends. The suspension system of the containers together with a guiding rail render it possible for each container to pass from one sub-conveyor to the next one at a right angle crossing point.

Abstract: An electrolytic apparatus and a material handling apparatus, including a pair of drive chains oriented to rotate in a substantially vertical plane. One or more product carriers, each including a basket portion, are supported by the chains. As the chains rotate, the product carriers are translated along a path in a substantially vertical plane. One tier of treatment tanks, or two tiers of vertically separated treatment tanks, may be positioned below the drive chains. Workpieces, such as encapsulated electronic components, may be placed within the baskets and translated by the drive chains for sequential immersion in each tank. Sprocket arrays engaged with each drive chain at positions above each tank direct the baskets first upward and then downward over the tank end walls, or over any barriers between the tanks.

Abstract: A series of rigid I-beams are secured to the underside of a driven endless looped chain and supported by a leading trolley and a trailing fixed connector. The chain is supported in a track by trolleys. End hooks on the beam support a load crossbar. A drive and brake assembly includes a reciprocating drive unit having a rail with a drive member sliding therein. The rail is mounted adjacent the chain and includes an inverted U-shaped arm pivotally mounted with the rail at one end. The slide has coupling fingers spaced in accordance with the chain links. A cylinder is coupled to the rail support and pivots the rail and slide member to selectively engage the chain link. A brake member secured to the U-shaped arm opposite side of the rail and has locking fingers spaced corresponding to the chain links. Pivoting of the rail to engage the slide member disengages the brake member to move the chain unit.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically feeding and collecting elongated cores of rolled fabric, which is used with an unrolling machine for unrolling fabric from the cores. The mechanism includes elongated frames on which endless link chains circulate with pairs of hooks for supporting ends of the cores. Parallel stock arms provide cores of rolled fabric to the hooks at a rear side of the frames. The cores of rolled fabric are removed from the hooks at a forwardly extending upper portion of the frames. Guide rods below the upper portion of the frame guide empty cores from the unrolling machine to the hooks as they circulate along the lower side of the frames. Spaced collector arms direct the empty cores dropped from the hooks at the bottom of the frames, away from the frames for removal from the mechanism.

Abstract: The cable-car or gondola lift according to the invention comprises two upper cables (10, 12) which laterally frame the upper part of the vehicle (18). The latter bears two support parts (20, 22) articulated on a single horizontal transverse axis of the vehicle (18), each support part being able to be coupled to one of the cables (10, 12). The two cables (10, 12), for example carrier-hauling cables, move in synchronism, the vehicle (18) being able to be detached at the entry to the stations for unloading and loading at a standstill or at reduced speed. The longitudinal stability of the vehicle (18) is ensured by one or more cables staggered in height with respect to the cables (10, 12). According to an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal stability is conferred by the structure of the vehicle (18) itself, in this instance a modular structure.

Abstract: The spent anodes to be stacked are vertically suspended by their lugs to hooks.The anodes are lifted from the hooks and then rotated alternately 90.degree. and -90.degree. around a horizontal axis; the rotated anodes are lowered to a lower position wherein they are released; the released anodes form a pile on a support positioned under said lower position; and the support is lowered in such a way that the top of the anode pile being formed on it remains under said lower position.

Abstract: A conveyor system with upper and lower runs carrying racks for articles dispenses with the usual conveyors for moving the racks along the runs. Instead, the racks are stacked along the runs, and vertical conveyors at the ends of the runs transport the racks between the runs and impel them along the run to which they have been conveyed.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously removing waste materials from a water stream. The apparatus includes a rotating screen assembly formed by a plurality of articulated "L"-shaped links that form separate, laterally spaced closed loops. The space between the loops of links defines the maximum size of material that can pass through the apparatus without being removed from the stream. The respective truncate portions of the "L"-shaped links facilitate the lifting of the debris from the stream. The screen assembly is rotated by motor-driven sprocket segments that are positioned at the discharge end of the apparatus. These segments substantially occupy the spaces between the links when the links travel past the segments, and the occupation of the spaces by the segments displaces the waste materials from the spaces and dislodges the materials from the links as well so that the materials may fall under the influence of gravity to a receptacle.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a vertically extending magazine, of the carousel type, bearing the piece goods to be supplied which are supported on suitable mandrels, and which piece goods are discharged, according to a programmable sequence, on a provided loading device.The latter comprises a first carriage pair which, by firmly engaging the ends of the piece bearing mandrels, transfer the piece goods, in a co-ordinated way, from the mentioned magazine to the spreading machine turret.A second carriage pair, on the other hand, is operative to displace the mandrels discharged by the spreading machine to the vertical magazine.

Abstract: A circulating aerial ropeway for conveying material such as loose or bulk goods has individual cars for conveying the material, each car being pivotally borne between two longitudinal carrying beams for swinging movement about a transverse, substantially horizontal axis which is above the center of gravity of the car, the car thereby being free-hanging and arranged always to assume a substantially horizontal position, each carrying beam mounting running wheels, the ropeway also having at least two laterally-spaced, parallel track ropes, a track rope being on each side of each car so that the running wheels run on the track ropes, and at least two laterally-spaced, parallel hauling ropes, a hauling rope being on each side of each car the cars having jaws for coupling the hauling rope to the car.

Abstract: At least one hanger rail having opposite ends is provided to support a plurality of parked vehicles. Two conveyor lines are associated with the hanger rail and extend transversely thereto to deliver the vehicles to one hanger rail and to receive parked vehicles from the other hanger rail means. Each conveyor line is associated with a respective end of the hanger rail, and the two conveyor lines are driven in mutually opposite directions of conveyance. Each conveyor line comprises an endless series of vehicle carriers, each of which is adapted to carry one of said vehicles and is of like cross section as the hanger rails.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating or handling scrap anodes are disclosed, which process comprises the steps of transporting scrap anodes suspended vertically from a pair of rails with their shoulder portions mounted on said rails by means of pushing projections mounted on a chain conveyer at intervals and in a downwardly protruding manner, said rails being provided under said chain conveyer; thrusting up the lower ends of the scrap anodes by means of a rotating plate during this transportation so that said scrap anodes may take a nearly horizontal position, said rotating plate being disposed under the rails and adapted for rotating vertically; thereafter moving said scrap anodes onto a supporting means provided adjacent to the rails and adapted to move horizontally by a working cylinder; hereupon stopping the scrap anodes and separating said supporting means from the scrap anodes thereby allowing them to drop down while maintaining their nearly horizontal position; receiving them on a receiving stand; turn

Abstract: A plant for automatically supplying hanks carried on sticks to a squeezing unit or squeezer for hank squeezing, for removing squeezed hanks from the squeezer, for transfer of hanks to a movement line or apparatus and for stick removal. The plant has a chain feeder for the squeezer, a roller squeezer with stick gripping pliers, a chain unloading conveyor and a pliers transferring apparatus or translating device, and is adjustable for adaptation to sticks of various lengths.

Abstract: An improved array of filter elements for a self-cleaning filter screen apparatus for continuous removal of suspended solids in a fluid. The filter elements are staggeringly interconnected in the form of an endless belt for movement through the fluid. Each filter element includes an arm with a first hub at the front end and a curved rake or hook at the other end. The arm has a front arm portion or shank portion connected to a rear arm portion. A second or intermediate hub is connected between the front arm portion and the rear arm portion. A row of the filter elements are mounted on two shafts. The front hubs from a rearward row of filter elements are positioned between the intermediate hubs of the forward row of filter elements and each hub is spaced from the adjacent hub. The scraper-separator means is sized to fix the distance between adjacent filter elements similarly connected on the same shafts.

Abstract: A method and a machine for continuously transferring starting sheets for the electrolytic refining of metals, particularly copper, from the horizontal into the vertical position for introduction into a stand in which the starting sheets are stored for subsequent suspension at equal intervals in the electrolytic refining baths, the sheets being taken up by their cathode bars and being advanced continuously at a substantially uniform speed along a path of movement which changes continuously from the horizontal to the vertical and are successively raised over the transition in the path of movement from the horizontal to the vertical.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping anodes for electrolytic refining in the form of flat plates having support ears extending outwardly of a top edge and opposite side edges thereof, the apparatus including a receptacle for holding the plates parallel, vertical and spaced apart, vertically movable beams engaging the ears for supporting the plates, shaping devices movable toward and away from opposing sides of the receptacle for shaping the under-surfaces of the support ears, and a device movable vertically and horizontally for transferring the plates into the receptacle for being shaped and for transferring the shaped plates from the receptacle, whereby the support ears may be shaped concurrently for improving the contact of the anodes with bus bars.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a stack of plates from a series of plates which respectively hang from rods conveyed by a rod-conveyer along a predetermined path. A toothed conveyer receives the rods one after the other from the rod-conveyer and conveys the rods along a plate-turning path. A plate-turning cam structure engages each plate as each rod is conveyed along the plate-turning path for turning each plate from its substantially upright hanging attitude into a substantially horizontal attitude situated over a stack-forming table. As each plate moves beyond the plate-turning cam structure onto a stack at the table, each rod is received in a channel out of which each rod is pushed while being disengaged from the plate received at the stack which forms on the table.

Abstract: A method of transporting objects wherein when the presence of one or more object is detected in a first stock apparatus, a transfer apparatus adapted to transport objects picks up one of the objects from said first stock apparatus and transports it towards a second stock apparatus, and only when the presence of a space for mounting such objects in said second stock apparatus is detected, said transfer apparatus transfers said object onto said second stock apparatus.

Abstract: A conveyor handling system is described for separating into discrete batches a stream of articles arriving at regular intervals. The system includes two endless belts extending between first and second locations and arranged to be driven at the same predetermined speed in the same sense. A movable carriage between the first and second locations constrains the intermediate portions of the said endless belts so that one belt forms the upper run of an intermediate portion of the conveyor system and the other belt forms the upper run of the conveyor system both upstream and downstream of the intermediate portion. The carriage is arranged to be reciprocated at a speed greater than the predetermined speed between a first position where the intermediate portion lies adjacent a loading position and a second position where the upstream portion of the conveyor lies adjacent the loading position.