Abstract: A cleat for ferrying materials on a conveyor belt line includes a top portion having a height, a width, and an overall material thickness, a material interfacing side, and a lateral opening extending there through for accepting a pin axle. A bottom portion having a length, a width, and material thickness, and a vertically extending wall, the bottom portion supporting the pin axle in a fixed manner, and a counter weight encapsulated in, embedded in, or attached to a lower portion of the top portion on the gravity side of the pin axle opening. The cleat top portion rotating to an upright position on the top of the conveyor line and to a prone position on the bottom of the conveyor line.

Abstract: A profiled belt includes a belt body, a profile that is provided on a back surface of the belt body, and a fixation member that detachably fixes the profile to the belt body. The belt body includes a protrusion on the back surface. The profile includes a recess portion to which the protrusion is fitted. The fixation member fixes the profile to the belt body in a state where the protrusion has been fitted to the recess portion. The fixation member is removably inserted to the profile and the protrusion.

Abstract: Method and a conveyor for registering articles on a conveyor belt. The conveyor includes a registration belt having retractable flights regularly spaced along the length of the belt and article-propelling rollers between consecutive flights. The flights are raised in an upstream portion of the conveyor, and the rollers rotated to propel articles forward against the raised flights. In a downstream portion of the conveyor, a flat-top belt under the conveyor belt runs faster than the conveyor belt and causes the flights to lower and the rollers behind the lowering flights to rotate in reverse to urge the articles away from interfering with the lowering flights.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting material from an origin to a destination includes a conveyor surface that moves a plurality of pivotal flight members along a continuous, predetermined path. The pivotal flight members allow the conveyor surface to freely travel along rollers positioned both within and outside of the conveyor loop for various applications. For example, various obstructions along the predetermined path pivot the flight members in either of two directions to trap, transport and release the material at desired locations. The flight members may be scraped and compressed to remove residual fluids if the conveyor system is used to collect liquids, such as released oil or other contaminants.

Abstract: A belt conveyor having snagless retractable flights. The flights rotate from a retracted position generally parallel to a top conveying surface on the conveyor belt to an extended position standing up and away from the top surface. In one version of the flight, a distal edge of the flight is bent downward into a cavity in the top surface of the belt when the flight is retracted. In another version, rollers at the distal end of the flight extend upstream of the distal edge of the flight. The flight rollers are rotated when the flight is retraced to lift and propel conveyed articles over the edges of the flight. Thus, both flights avoid snagging articles with discontinuous bottoms.

Abstract: A conveyor and a method for metering articles on a conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel. Article-supporting rollers in the belt are actuated by a stationary bearing surface defining an upstream acceleration zone to accelerate articles forward along the conveyor belt. An activation belt advancing in the direction of belt travel at a speed faster than the conveyor belt provides a mobile bearing surface that actuates the belt rollers to rotate opposite to the direction of belt travel in a downstream deceleration zone. The conveyor belt also has regularly spaced retractable flights, which are retracted by contact with the stationary bearing surface in the acceleration zone and extended into a blocking position by contact with the mobile bearing surface in the deceleration zone. Articles in the deceleration zone are pushed rearward atop the rollers into metered positions against the leading faces of the flights.

Abstract: An intermediate drive system for driving a conveyor belt with one or more intermediate drive belts. The intermediate drive belt includes lateral rows of pivotable teeth spaced apart along the length of the intermediate drive belt. The teeth extend into the conveyor belt along a portion of the carryway to drive the conveyor belt in a conveying direction. The only component external to the intermediate drive belt that the teeth contact is the intermediate drive belt. Engagement and disengagement of the teeth with the conveyor belt is effected without the use of cams against the teeth.

Abstract: A belt conveyor having clutch-driven flights for extremely low-torque operation. The flights have pivot members that rotate about an axis over a limited range of angles. A clutch mechanism includes a spring pushing a clutch wheel against a pivot member. The clutch wheel is arranged to rotate as the conveyor belt advances. Frictional contact between the rotating wheel and the pivot member imparts a moment on the flight to raise it to an extended position. When the flight is encumbered even by a light load, the low-torque mechanism automatically slips to prevent the flight from rising to the extended position.

Abstract: A spacing conveyor having article-accelerating rollers and selectively retractable stops to control the gaps between consecutive conveyed packages. A sensor measures the length of a package being fed onto the spacing conveyor. A controller selectively actuates one or more actuators positioned along the length of the conveyor to move selected stops advancing with the conveyor from a retracted position to a blocking position to receive packages a variety of sizes and to control the gaps between consecutive packages.

Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing partially formed cartons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant in time without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A machine for intended use in feeding and completing partially formed cartons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the machine includes an overhead conveyor with selectively actuated, depending lugs that engage and convey the carton in a first direction while a first flap on a lid is folded and sealed. A takeaway conveyor includes selectively actuated, upstanding lugs that convey the carton in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction while second and third flaps are folded and sealed. The lugs on each conveyor may be closely spaced or overlapping to allow for selective actuation at a desired instant in time without the need for timing the corresponding chain or the carton feed. A diverter located at a transition between the forward and return runs of the overhead and takeaway conveyors actuates the lugs in a controlled fashion. Related methods of feeding and forming cartons are also disclosed.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus for transporting open containers is provided with at least two conveying elements located opposite to each other that are adapted frictionally or positively engage the containers. Each conveying element comprises a plurality of gripping elements by means of guiding rails. The gripping elements each comprise at least two lip members located distantly to each other as seen in conveying direction and elastically resilient at least in a direction crosswise to the conveying direction, in order to grasp the containers laterally. The gripping elements are adapted to grasp and guide the containers, such that additional guiding elements can be avoided.

Abstract: Various conveyor designs are disclosed, along with related link designs, suitable for conveying objects along a transport direction. The conveyor may include a plurality of connected links. Each link may have a length extending across the direction of transport and a width extending along the direction of transport. Each link may have a body, a slider, at least one gripping member, and a gear drive mechanism interconnecting the slider and gripping member. The slider is slidable along the length of the body to selectively move the gripping member between a first position and a second position via the gear drive mechanism. The gripping member when in first position is disposed in an open position, and the gripping member when in the second position is disposed in a gripping position for contacting one of the objects to hold the object during transport.

Abstract: In a conveyor including an endless belt (3) that features equispaced recesses made on an outer surface of the belt, the recesses can be set in communication with a vacuum source when they are moving along an upper run of the conveyor, so as to grip a base (50a) of a container located thereon. A pad (15) is provided for each recess and is hinged to the belt right behind the respective recess for receiving in abutment and pushing a rear wall (50b) of the container. A connecting rod (8) is pivoted at the top to the pad and at the bottom to the belt.

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: The invention relates to a conveyor system for transporting containers. The conveyor system is made of an endless belt to which are mounted pivotable flaps having abutments to limit their pivotal movement beyond a predetermined angle when the belt is travelling in a generally upward direction so as to form pockets for transporting containers to the top of the conveyor. When the flaps reach the top portion of the conveyor, they pivot under the effect of gravity to a retracted position where they lay flat against the belt thereby allowing the containers in the pockets to be discharged while providing sufficient clearance for the belt to be in close proximity with a chute which receives the containers. The conveyor of the present invention can thus function effectively in a generally vertical position and is thus more space efficient.

Abstract: A process of cold working followed by rapid recrystallization imparts a localized fine grain morphology in and around surfaces of fastener holes and edges in aluminum materials. A peening tool that may be employed for surface cold working includes a hollow housing with openings for retaining a plurality of ball peens that may be driven by rotating cams or an oscillating tapered piston operating within the housing to force the ball peens to impact the surfaces of an edge, cavity, or fastener hole to which the tool is applied. The tool may be shaped to accommodate straight bored, counter bored, countersunk, and/or edge surfaces and may be applied manually or automatically for cold working over substantially the entire surface area of the edge or cavity. The peening tool effects localized cold working to a predetermined and controlled depth to break up the existing large pancake-shaped grain structure in the surface of the aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A truck trailer includes a push plate extensible and retractable relative to a front wall of the trailer structure employing hydraulic ram structure to project the plate along the trailer floor, that in turn includes a row of rollers operative through a drive chain to simultaneously rotate the rollers to direct workpieces from the rollers employing the push plate to direct workpieces along the roller structure.

Abstract: A conveying system includes a transport conveyor and a diverter mechanism disposed thereabove for pushing articles transversely off the transport conveyor. The diverter mechanism includes a belt having paddles projecting therefrom. The belt is periodically driven to cause a paddle to transverse the main conveyor to displace an article. Each paddle is formed by two plates connected at their inner ends to the belt via hinges, with the hinge of one plate being spaced from the hinge of the other plate in the direction of belt travel. The outer ends of the plates are fixed together and sandwich a flexible wiper therebetween.

Abstract: A driving device comprises at least one chain (16) in the form of a closed loop. The chain is connected to at least one driving member arranged to cause the chain to orbit. Furthermore, the chain is laid over diverting members which in combination with the driving member determine the form of the loop. A rubber element (17) is arranged on the face of the chain located outermost in the loop and forms a configuration generally enclosing the chain loop. The rubber element (17) is in a driving force transmitting engagement with the chain (16) to be caused to orbit thereby. The rubber element (17) serves for engagement with for instance tree trunks over a large surface.

Abstract: A packaging machine of the type having a conveyor formed of pivotally mounted sections includes a mechanism for automating the raising and lowering of the sections. Each section includes a pair of rollers including a first, long roller that extends transversely across the conveyor and which remains in the plane of the conveyor when the section is pivoted upwardly, and either a second roller of short transverse extent or a second roller of intermediate transverse extent that pivots upwardly above the plane of the conveyor when activated. The pivoting action is accomplished by selectively positioning elongate rail members, having a longitudinal extent substantially equal to the length of the conveyor, in the path of travel of connector plates that rigidly depend from opposite ends of each pair of rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising an endless elastic conveyor belt extending around guide rollers to define a conveying portion and a returning portion, and support means for supporting the returning portion of the belt, is provided with longitudinally spaced stops on the belt to prevent or halt slippage of material carried by the conveying portion, each stop being disposed on a tongue formed in the belt by a pair of parallel slits in the belt so that the tongue has two longitudinal free edges and a transverse transition edge at each end at which the tongue merges flush into the belt.

Abstract: A steeply inclined conveyor comprising an endless elastic conveyor belt extending around guide rollers to define a conveying portion and a returning portion, and support rollers for supporting the returning portion of the belt, is provided with longitudinally spaced stops on the belt for preventing slippage of material carried by the conveying portion, each stop being mounted on a tongue formed in the belt and having two longitudinal side edges, a trailing transverse edge with respect to the direction of travel of the belt, and a leading edge transition portion parallel to the trailing transverse edge and merging flush into the belt, the tongues having the same thickness as the belt, and the stops being disposed at the trailing edges of the tongues.

Abstract: A material unloading conveyor is arranged in overlapping relation to the discharge end of a bristle conveyor and includes an endless belt which has a plurality of U-shaped staples secured to its surface to pivot relative thereto. The staples move in combing relation to the bristles, which comprise the bristle conveyor, and the material supporting surface defined by the bristles to lift sheet material from the bristle conveyor and onto the unloading conveyor as the material is discharged by the bristle conveyor.

Abstract: An agricultural pickup device is provided in which a conveyor apron is assembled over and driven by a drive belt. The conveyor apron is drivingly attached to the drive belt by a plurality of transverse pins. The transverse pins also serve to attach pickup fingers to the apron. Each of the transverse pins are inserted through coaxial bores of a respective row of raised portions in the apron, through a coiled portion of the pickup fingers, and through an aperture in the lug portion of the drive belt.

Abstract: A characteristic feature of the proposed pickup conveyer, comprising drive shafts, a conveyer belt carrying support elements held thereto, spring-actuated double pickup fingers provided with a yoke-shaped interspring crosspiece and made fast on said support elements resides in the fact that said support element is shaped as a channel iron between the flanges of which the spring-actuated double pickup finger is mounted, said flanges having holes for a U-shaped holder to fit, one of the ends of said holder being recurvate towards the ends of the pickup fingers.

Abstract: A flexible endless conveyor for a combine harvester comprises a number of side-by-side elastomeric belts having a plurality of molded cleats on the surface of the belt, aligned in rows orthogonal with respect to the length of the belt, and interspaced by openings in the base of the belt between adjacent cleats of a row. Crop gathering tines are mounted in the openings and are carried by a rod positioned within bores molded into the cleats on an axis in line with the row of cleats across the width of the belt.

Abstract: Feeding a longitudinally extending lane of regularly spaced articles to a horizontal form, fill and seal wrapping machine is disclosed. To insure regularity of spacing and that no gaps are created, in-line operatively integrated storage and transferring conveyors and an infeed wrapper lug conveyor are provided. Articles in abutting relation on the storage and transferring conveyors are dispensed to the lug conveyor so that each successive article is engaged and fed by each successive lug of the infeed conveyor. In being transferred to the infeed lug conveyor longitudinal spacing of the articles is effected. Also according to the disclosed concept more than one article may be simultaneously transferred to the infeed lug conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for gently transferring delicate produce from a supply conveyor into a dry storage bin. The discharge head of the apparatus has a reversible delivery board which directs and uniformly stacks the produce within the bin without bruising the produce. The transfer apparatus utilizes a series of opposed brushes on a parallel conveyor arrangement to gently support and transfer the produce to the bin. The discharge head and the bin move relative to each other in both the horizontal and vertical planes to provide uniform layers of produce and to adjust for the increasing layers in the bin.

Abstract: A counting and grouping apparatus for receiving articles such as fruit, marshalling the articles so as to fill up a number of parallel supply lines for presenting a number of the articles in line abreast in the leading positions in the supply lines, the number in the line abreast being equal to (or a fraction or multiple of) the number of articles to be counted into a group and a moving belt conveyor bearing at intervals along its length lines of fingers in line abreast across the belt, which fingers align with the leading position of the supply lines and shift the line of articles in said leading positions onto the conveyor belt as the fingers pass the exit ends of the supply lines. Gates are described for blocking one or more of the supply lines to control the number.The fingers have an upright operating position for picking off the articles and a non-operating position folded down on to the belt.

Abstract: A guiding, stitching and delivering system continuously constrains a piece of material while it guides that piece of material beneath the needle of a sewing machine during the stitching of that piece of material, while that piece of material is stationary during the period of time between the completion of the stitching of that piece of material and the start of the stitching of the next-succeeding piece of material, while the stitches between the trailing edge of that piece of material and the leading edge of that next-succeeding piece of material are being cut, and while that piece of material is being moved to a delivery area. That guiding, stitching and delivering system obviates the formation of needless stitches, places all stitches in the desired locations, and provides certain and easy cutting of the stitches between the trailing edge of that piece of material and the leading edge of that next-succeeding piece of material.