Abstract: Improved product handling and transfer apparatus includes rotatable product buckets for receiving product and re-orienting product for packaging in diverse configurations or containers. Buckets preferably include channels spanned by deposited product or receiving product therein, with bucket turning as appropriate to a packaging configuration. Flat bottom buckets and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holder, device or method for sorting and/or transporting products, the holder comprises: a product carrier (4) movable in a transport direction for receiving and transporting the product to be transported; a first shaft (6) operatively connected to the product carrier (4) for rotating the product carrier in order to discharge the product transported with the product carrier; tilting means (14) for tilting the product carrier (4) about the first shaft (6) at a discharge position; and a second shaft (8) which is operatively connected to the product carrier (4) and to which a flexible member (10) can be releasably attached for discharging the product from the product carrier (4) in controlled manner.

Abstract: A downloader conveyor is described and claimed. The downloader conveyor comprises an endless belt to which a plurality of cups is pivotally attached. The cups are adapted to receive apples or like relatively delicate objects. As the cups containing the apples descend into the bin, the cups rotate so as to permit the apples or other objects to roll out of or exit from the cups and to retard the cup acceleration. Each apple engages a skirt, which breaks the fall of the exiting apple. A distal end of the skirt can be arranged to scrape over the bin floor or scrape over the top of apples or other objects already placed in the bin, so as to again break the fall of the apple so that the apple is placed in the bin without substantial freefall.

Abstract: Fruit handling equipment comprising a conveyor having a plurality of linked carriages, each supporting at least one fruit carrying cup pivotally secured to the carriage, each cup having a latching mechanism operable to hold the cup in a fruit carrying mode and releasable to cause the cup to pivot to a delatched position to eject the fruit, and remotely controllable means in each carriage to release the latching mechanism.

Abstract: Invention describes apparatus automating distributed item processing including pharmacy. Apparatus includes: portable vending cartridges, automatic vending modules, controllers. Cartridge contains conveyor transporting items inside carriers. Cartridges slide-into receptacles inside vending module. Controllers in real-time monitor presence of cartridges; inventory of carries, items; and execute controls of each cartridge and vending module including: indexing conveyors; loading and/or unloading items into/from carriers; maintaining items within specifications: environment, handling, safety with reports confirming compliance. Controllers execute in real-time optimization algorithm achieving required performance: rates of item loading/unloading, power consumption. Pharmacy applications include cartridges handling containers with medications.

Abstract: A downloader conveyor is described and claimed. The downloader conveyor comprises an endless belt to which a plurality of cups is pivotally attached. The cups are adapted to receive apples or like relatively delicate objects. As the cups containing the apples descend into the bin, the cups rotate so as to permit the apples or other objects to roll out of or exit from the cups and to retard the cup acceleration. Each apple engages a skirt, which breaks the fall of the exiting apple. A distal end of the skirt can be arranged to scrape over the bin floor or scrape over the top of apples or other objects already placed in the bin, so as to again break the fall of the apple so that the apple is placed in the bin without substantial freefall.

Abstract: A method and an automatic picking machine is provided for filling an order container by means of an ejector and conveyor belt. An ejector is provided configured as a revolving belt directly as a substantially horizontal product storage element. The stored products (3) to be picked are placed onto the conveyor belt (2) or directly into the order container (10) upon actuation of the revolving belt. The preferably bulky non-stackable products (3) are located preferably individually in product compartments (5) of the ejector and are ejected individually.

Abstract: A bucket elevator conveyor system of the straight horizontal, “C” and “Z” configurations. In these bucket elevator conveyor systems, loading of the buckets can occur anywhere along the horizontal run adjacent the take-up end and discharge of the buckets can be made at the drive area or along the bottom run of the upper horizontal sections of the “Z” and “C” configuration. This provides not only for discharge of the product from the buckets traveling along the lower path of the conveyor, but also provides for simple, intermediate discharge. In addition, there are provided relapping mechanisms to assure proper relapping of the buckets, This is accomplished by reason of a unique bucket design having a cam on one end combined with the front and rear flanges angled to assure proper operation and lapping of the buckets.

Abstract: A bucket elevator or conveyor comprises a plurality of removable buckets 10 each pivotally supported between two drive chains 11. The buckets 10 are shaped such that their lips 26 overlap when they are traveling horizontally. In this manner, the buckets 10 can be filled without the risk of spillage.

Abstract: A flexible chain for a single-strand bucket-type chain conveyor has inner link plates arranged in parallel pairs. The inner link plates are connected by two chain bolts, forming an inner chain link. The bolts extend through the two inner link plates and two outer link plates. The outer link plates connect adjacently mounted inner link plates, and create a platform for supporting the conveyor bucket. The chain has outer cylindrical bushings, each of which pivotably supports a bolt end segment. The outer bushings are connected in a fixed manner with outer link plates. When assembled a space exists between the inner side of the bushing's end and the end surface of the respective bolt, forming a lubricant chamber. A seal is provided between the running surface of the bolt end segment and the intermediate bolt section adjoining the running surface that is coupled to the inner link plates.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor for conveying loose grain in different directions, comprising a bucket having: an opening leading to the interior of the bucket; and a dead space constituting part of the interior at the rear, the space not filled with loose grain when grain is loaded from above to or beyond the level of the opening, its volume being larger than the filled volume immediately below the opening. The conveyor does not spill the loose grain even when the angle of the bucket is changed.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor for conveying loose grain in different directions, comprising a bucket having: an opening leading to the interior of the bucket; and a dead space constituting part of the interior at the rear, the space not filled with loose grain when grain is loaded from above to or beyond the level of the opening, its volume being larger than the filled volume immediately below the opening. The conveyor does not spill the loose grain even when the angle of the bucket is changed.

Abstract: An arrangement for feeding sheets from a sheet store to either one of a plurality of stations includes a movable carriage which receives sheets fed from the store and which has driving cogwheels for coaction with a fixed cog railway outside the carriage.The fixed cog railway includes a path selection slide that includes cog segments that can fit into the cog railway. The selector slide can be switched to either one of two possible positions by means of a processor-controlled, motor-driven arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for conveying material between a lower station and an upper station. The apparatus includes a bucket (16) for containing material to be conveyed, a guide channel (15) between the upper station and the lower station, a lower guide peg (14) attached to a lower part of the bucket (16) and arranged to slide along the guide channel (15), and an upper guide peg (17) attached to an upper part of the bucket (16) and arranged to slide along the guide channel (15). The bucket (16) is driven between the lower station and the upper station. A deflector guide (12) branches from the guide channel (15) so as to guide one of the guide pegs (17) away from the guide channel while the other guide peg (14) remains in the guide channel. The bucket (16) is thereby caused to pivot about the other guide peg (14) and thus tip out material contained therein.

Abstract: A molded proofer tray (10) for use in commercial bakeries, includes threaded inserts (28) molded directly into the outer end (14) walls for removably receiving mounting pins (30) to facilitate repair if damaged. A female embodiment (40) is also provided.

Abstract: A bucket elevator system capable of being driven bi-directionally. The system having a plurality of pivoted buckets supported between two endless chains. Each bucket having a primary guide boss with an upper surface and a guide surface thereon. Guides arranged to contact the upper surface of the primary guide boll to restrain the pivotal movement of the buckets.

Abstract: A conveying system (10) for the classification and sorting of foodstuffs comprising a conveyor (11) comprising at least one endless chain (15) driven by spaced apart drive sprockets (12 and 13), a plurality of chain clips (40) moulded in plastics and clipped to the links (20) of the chain, each chain clip (40) pivotally supporting a least one elongate conveyor finger (60), a conveying surface forming part of the conveyor finger to locate the foodstuff, each elongate conveyor finger having a downwardly extending leg (65) having a latch that cooperatively engages with a projection of the chain link, the conveying system including a series of discharge zones positioned along the conveyor with an ejection means position adjacent to each discharge zone.

Abstract: A substantially vertical elevator (5) for the transport of round and/or spherical objects, for example golf balls, between different levels, the elevator including a conveyor belt (11) which extends between an upper roller at an upper level and a lower roller at a lower level and which passes a number of emptying points between the rollers. A number of spaced carrier planes (12) extending transversely of the conveyor belt, on which planes the objects are capable of resting during the movement of the conveyor belt (11) from a replenishment point (6) to the emptying point or emptying points. An ejector (13) is disposed, between the carrier planes (12) and is actuable at the emptying points for removal of the objects on the adjacent carrier plane (12) to a receptacle container provided at the emptying point in question.

Abstract: There is utilized a particular bucket conveyor apparatus for the transport of fragile articles such as cookies and crackers from an input feed point to a multiple number of discharge areas. At the discharge areas the bucket conveyors are tilted rearwardly to spread the fragile crackers and cookies over a lower transverse belt or vibrating conveyor. In the operation of the apparatus each of the buckets is filled initially to less than about 50 percent of its volume. In this way if there is not an available discharge point, the bucket can once again go through the cycle before it would reach a point of overflowing. When the buckets are in a full condition, they will empty half or more of their contents onto a storage station conveyor prior to passing the input feed point. This bucket conveyor mechanism lends itself to a high degree of computerized control.

Abstract: A tipping mechanism for buckets carried by a conveyor or elevator. Each bucket 28 is attached to a chain 26 by a swing link 29 and each bucket carries a sector shape cam 30. As the buckets are carried around a sprocket 27 the cam 30 contacts a peg 31, so as to cause the bucket to progressively tip and empty. The movement of the buckets back to their horizontal position is fully controlled and is smooth by virtue of the contact between a French curve on the cam 30 and a cam surface 35 of substantially wedge shape located above or below the conveyor or elevator chain.

Abstract: An inverting mechanism according to the present invention comprises an inverting body for inverting which includes a plate member fixed to each of a plurality of carriers connected to an endless chain and four inverting elements rotatably supported on each plate member at circumferential positions spaced equidistant from each other, and an inverting cam provided on a rack rail on which the inverting elements roll. The inverting element on the body traveling on the rail drops into a groove formed in the inverting cam to rotate the body about the dropped inverting element as another inverting element rolls along a projection on the reversing cam to downwardly direct the top opening of the carrier and thereby an article to be transferred can be taken out of the carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine for bagging contained liquid products and includes a product dispenser, a product bagger and a chute from the product dispenser to the product bagger. The chute is designed to eliminate or at least substantially eliminate product leakage from reaching the bagger and comprises a lower chute section having an open frame liquid draining construction and an upper chute section which is movable from a product feed to a product divert position relative to the lower chute section for diverting any leaking product away from the bagger.

Abstract: A system for the processing and handling of products including the method and apparatus therefor. A conveyor includes rocker elements fixed thereto which may be selectively tipped by means of an actuator and camming surface to off-load products conveyed in a single file arrangement. The rocker elements are positioned on a chain to form an elongate support for the conveyed products. Two conveyors positioned side by side for receiving product in series may be used to provide a full view of the surface of the product for sensing by multiple sensors.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor system 13 for a harvesting machine which can move along a row of plants. The bucket conveyor system has a pair of parallel endless roller chains 18 guided for movement along a generally rectangular path 17, and open-topped buckets 19 connected to the chains 18 at equally spaced intervals along the chains. The buckets each have a rear lip 36 extending over and beyond the front wall 32 of the next rearward bucket 19 to prevent gaps through which harvested fruit or juice can fall. The sole connection of the buckets 19 to the chains 18 is by a single shaft 44 projecting outward from the upper end of each side wall 31 of the buckets. As a bucket 19 is elevated, a fixed vertical bucket guide 27c engages a substantially vertical front wall 32 of the bucket to keep the bucket erect, with the engagement of the bucket guide 27c with the bucket wall 32 being at a substantial distance from the pivot connections 44 of the bucket to the chains to minimize stress in the bucket.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for regrouping articles from parallel-arranged first columns to form parallel-arranged second columns includes a first conveyor carrying the first columns of articles; two horizontally spaced endless carrier elements circulating in a closed path having an ascending zone extending upwardly from the first conveyor and a horizonal zone; consecutively arranged article support members extending between the two carrier elements transversely thereto and each having opposite ends pivotally supported by the carrier elements to be advanced thereby through the ascending and horizontal zones; an actuating device for pivoting the article support members into a first pivotal position to support articles and for pivoting approximately simultaneously a plurality of the article support members in the horizontal zone into a second pivotal position in which the article support members are inclined such as to cause the articles to slide off therefrom; and a second conveyor extending below the article support

Abstract: A frame is positioned about a vertical axis (z). A helical track composed of track sections (72) is supported on the frame and extends about the vertical axis (z). The helical track has a lower entrance end and an upper exit end. An endless conveyor (EC) comprising a series of article carriers (26) moves along an endless path, defined in part by the helical track. A plurality of article receiving receptacles (20) are supported by the frame, radially outwardly from the helical track. A helical ramp is located radially between the helical track and the plurality of article receiving receptacles. A support frame for the receptacles, the helical ramp and the helical track are all of sectional construction and each section is positioned between an adjacent pair of radially extending frame portions. A rotating drive drum is supported for rotation about the vertical axis. The helical track surrounds the drive drum. The drum is driven in steps, equal to the angular spacing of the receptacles.

Abstract: A lift apparatus adapted for reliable, substantially maintenance-free operation in material transfer systems, including systems that are subject to considerable contamination. The lift apparatus includes an open top container, a support plate for normally supporting the container in upright position, and a ball screw drive for moving the support plate and container between a filling station in which material may be introduced into the container and a discharge station. The container is supported for relative pivotal movement with respect to the support plate, and a chain and sprocket arrangement is provided for automatically pivoting the container to a dumping position as it is raised into the discharge station and for returning the container to its normal upright position as it is lowered from the discharge station following dumping.

Abstract: A bucket distribution system for receiving products at an infeed station and selectively discharging the products at a plurality of distribution stations. A plurality of buckets travel in a continuous path and each receive a predetermined portion of products at an infeed station. Bucket trip apparatus at each of the discharge stations selectively pivots the buckets in a direction opposite to the direction of bucket travel to cause the buckets to discharge products therein. Feeders at primary distribution stations are adapted to roll in and out of position for servicing. Products may recirculate within the system to thereby reduce the amount of products taken off-line.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a series of buckets supported by a chain along a predetermined endless path having straight portions and at least one internal curve. An individual pivoting arm supports a respective bucket on the chain. Each pivoting arm is pivotally attached to the entrainment means at a first end in fixed orientation to the chain, and pivotally supports the bucket at the opposite, second end. A chain guide engages the chain in advance of an internal curve in the path to cause the second end of the pivoting arm to which the bucket is attached to pivot outwardly and the buckets in turn to follow a diverging curved path of greater radius than the radius of the curve in the path being transited and thereby space the buckets further apart prior to negotiating the internal curve in the path than when the buckets are proceeding along a straight portion of the path.

Abstract: The installation comprises a delivery conveyor (4) for delivering unit items in buckets (5). A station (3) injects unit items onto the delivery conveyor. A sorting conveyor (6) carries packs (8) corresponding to respective batches to be made up. The sorting conveyor is disposed relative to the delivery conveyor so as to establish at least one item transfer zone therebetween. A central control unit (10) ensure that desired coincidences occur between item-containing buckets (5) and packs (8) for receiving the items, with the control units controlling the transfer of items form the buckets to the packs. The invention is particularly applicable to making up batches of items in response to orders therefor.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor comprising a plurality of buckets, a chain on which the buckets are mounted in series, a chain track on which the chain is mounted for movement thereon, a drive for moving the chain whereby the buckets are moved along a circuitous conveyor path between one bucket filling station and one bucket emptying station, and a device for moving the buckets around the axis of movement of the chain as required for the buckets to negotiate curves and turns in the conveyor path as the buckets move along the conveyor path on the chain.

Abstract: An apparatus for tipping about a horizontal axis a bucket carried by a conveyor chain around a circuit to fill the bucket with contents at a predetermined location and empty the contents thereof at a predetermined location. The apparatus comprises a bucket pulley mounted for rotation with the bucket on one end thereof concentric with the horizontal axis about which the bucket is tipped, and an elongate bucket pulley-engaging device positioned adjacent said chain at a predetermined point on the circuit where the contents of the bucket are to be emptied. The bucket pulley-engaging device has a length at least as long as the circumference of the bucket pulley and frictionally engagable with the circumference of the bucket pulley to rotate the bucket pulley and thereby rotate and invert the bucket mounted thereon as the chain moves the bucket along the length of the bucket pulley-engaging device.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor comprising a plurality of buckets, a chain on which the buckets are mounted in cantilevered relation to one side of the chain by an outwardly-extending bucket spindle connecting the chain to one side of the bucket, a chain track on which the chain is mounted for linear movement thereon, a drive for moving the chain whereby the buckets are moved along a circuitous conveyor path between one bucket filling station and one bucket emptying station, an auxiliary support wheel mounted for rotation on the side of the bucket opposite the bucket spindle in coaxial relation therewith, and an auxiliary track mounted in laterally spaced-apart relation to the chain track in supporting relation to the auxiliary support wheel to support the bucket on both sides thereof.

Abstract: A sorting machine with trays which are moved in an endless path extending in a vertical plane in such a manner that the trays face upwardly both in the lower and upper run of the path, the trays being pivotally suspended between two synchronously driven conveyors. Also provided are a plurality of stationary chutes between one run of the path or both of the runs, and selectively controllable, pivotable levers are provided for each chute, which are caused, in an activated state, to engage a passing tray which is thereby pivoted so as to deposit its contents onto a predetermined one of the chutes. At least one side of each tray carries at least two wheels which are placed above and below the pivot axis, respectively, in the tray equilibrium position, so that each tray can actually emptied forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the direction of motion, the direction of emptying depending upon whether it is the upper or the lower wheel which is caused to engage and activated lever.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor with a pair of parallel draw elements between which the buckets are supported on spindles about which they rotate pendulum fashion. Forward rollers are mounted on the ends of the spindles and rear rollers are mounted at the opposite edge of the bucket. Each bucket has a flange or lip which overlaps the top edge of an adjacent bucket. The rollers on the buckets engage guide rails to properly orient the buckets as they pass over return gears and from the loading area to the dumping area and back again. By maintaining proper orientation of the buckets, the load level of each bucket and thus the capacity of the conveyor is increased. The bucket conveyor is of simple design, has low wear and high conveying capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus for tipping a bucket carried by a conveyor chain around a circuit to empty the contents thereof at a predetermined location. The apparatus is characterized by providing a dwell time to the bucket in its inverted position as the bucket is rotated 360 degrees around a fixed pivot degrees to permit complete emptying of the buckets. The apparatus comprises a sprocket mounted concentric with the pivot about which the bucket rotates and fixed for rotation with the bucket. The sprocket has a plurality of radially outwardly-extending uniformly spaced-apart projections and at least one space on the sprocket defined by the absence of a projection. An elongate rack is positioned adjacent the chain at the bucket tipping position and has sprocket engaging portions thereon positioned in engaging alignment with the projections of the sprocket as the bucket passes, thereby to arrest rotation of the bucket while the bucket is in its inverted position to permit the contents to empty entirely.

Abstract: A bucket elevator includes a continuous driven chain supporting inter-engaging buckets on swinging links. The links carry rollers which travel along guidance tracks which diverge from the track which guides the chain. Thus, the buckets pass around a curve of greater radius than the chain due to movement of the swinging links and will separate from each other while remaining horizontal.

Abstract: A circular solvent extractor useful in a commercial process for the removal of bitumen from tar or oil sands or other solvent extraction processes requiring high tonnage throughput. The extractor comprises two major segments that are stationary, namely, a ring-shaped roof member and a ring-shaped drain trough means positioned therebeneath, and one segment that is movable which comprises a pair of continuous, spaced-apart sidewalls having a plurality of spaced-apart, liquid permeable, process cells rotatably attached to the sidewalls. The sidewalls and their attached process cells are movable about a circular trackway for travel between the fixed hood and drain trough means, forming an annular process chamber therearound. The annular chamber is sealed by upper and lower, circumferential liquid seals coacting between the moving sidewalls and the stationary hood and drain trough means to prevent the leakage of solvent vapors therefrom.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor wherein the buckets are pivotable about transverse horizontal axes and have first cam faces which slope upwardly and rearwardly counter to the direction of movement of the buckets. The cam faces of successive buckets can be engaged by a roller which can be moved downwardly to tilt the buckets. The buckets have straight second cam faces which come into contact with the underside of a stationary rail in response to partial tilting of the buckets to maintain the buckets in tilted positions during travel along a selected portion of their path. The downstream end of the rail forms a ramp to effect a gradual pivoting of successive buckets back to untilted positions.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention relates to apparatus for cooling or drying coarse-grained bulk material, comprising a plurality of trays mounted one above the other for rotation about a common axis, each tray being divided into a plurality of segments adapted to be tilted about a tilt axis extending in a radial direction of said common axis, means supporting said segments in the plane of the respective tray and permitting said segments to be tilted only within a determined angular range of rotation, and means for forcibly tilting each segment within said angular range. In prior art constructions, different means for forcibly tilting each segment in the said angular range have been required, depending on the time required by the feed material to pass through the cooling apparatus and on the number of trays employed in the cooling apparatus.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for sorting fruits and vegetables which is arranged to convey fruits and vegetables of various shapes such as spheroidal shapes, spherical massive shapes, non-spherical massive shapes or amorphous shapes one by one on a tray device, a measuring device including a planar-shape dimension measuring unit, a side-shape dimension measuring unit and a weight measuring unit is arranged at a part of a conveying path to sort and rank the object to be sorted by comparing the results of measurement with sorting classification values preset by a computing device. The measuring device permits selection of the planar shape, side shape or weight. The apparatus includes a fruit or vegetable distribution section which includes receiving bins of different sizes determined according to ranking by the measuring device. One or plurality of the objects are dispersively discharged into these bins by a discharge device according to the sizes of the bins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for high-speed processing of fruit or the like wherein the fruit is initially accumulated and aligned at a pick-up point for capture in spaced-apart pockets of a singulation conveyor at the pick-up point to maintain the fruit in predetermined linear spacing and to accelerate the fruit to a predetermined processing speed, a processing conveyor being operated at a synchronized speed relative to the singulation conveyor for receiving the individual units of fruit, the fruit being carried in trays past a sensor station after which the fruit is discharged from the trays into one of a plurality of discharge passages according to the individual characteristics of the fruit units. A preferred construction for accumulating and aligning the fruit at the pick-up point comprises multiple interconnecting ramps of different inclinations to further assure a continuous supply of fruit at the pick-up point.

Abstract: A sample bucket is disclosed for intercepting a sample while cutting through a flow of particulate material. The bucket is in the form of a receptacle having an open mouth and a suitable depth for retaining a desired gross sample without overflow thereof. The sample bucket has a top enclosure wall which narrows the mouth of the bucket, while the bucket is in its upright position, in order to prevent overflowing and which widens the mouth of the bucket, while the bucket is in its inverted position, to allow full discharge of the contents. The sample bucket is preferably used as a part of a bucket sampler comprising a pair of chain conveyors which pass over a conveyor drive assembly and a conveyor tail assembly having sprocket wheels with sprockets.

Abstract: A sorting system for generally flat articles includes a number of receptacles (2) mounted on a conveyor (1) each of which is disposed to receive and convey an article to be carried lying with its surface of maximum size perpendicular to the conveyor line of travel and which are each angularly displaceable about an axis extending lengthwise of the conveyor between two positions in which a controllable discharge outlet (9) of the receptacle is positioned on opposite sides respectively of the conveyor.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor assembly includes both a bucket endless conveyor and a cover endless conveyor, with the cover endless conveyor being located inside a horizontal section of the bucket endless conveyor. The cover endless conveyor is driven so that covers (40) mounted on its lower flight are superimposed with gaps (44) between buckets (24) mounted on the bucket conveyor at a loading zone (26). Material to be loaded into the buckets is gravity-fed between the top and bottom flights (36A and B) of both the bucket endless conveyor and the cover endless conveyor and dropped into bottom-flight buckets (24) through the bottom-flight covers (40). The covers have an unsymmetrical inverted V-shape, with the leading side (46) of the V being on a steeper angle than the trailing side (48) of the V.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a lane conveyor for moving articles in separate lanes with random spacing between the articles, an endless conveyor having article receiving carriers thereon each arranged to receive one or more articles from a lane of said lane conveyor, a second lane conveyor having lanes thereon preferably greater or less in number than the number of lanes in the first lane conveyor, and structure for simultaneously discharging a number of the carriers so as to distribute the articles substantially equally among the lanes of the second lane conveyor. Provision is made to prevent repetition of failure to load a lane in such instances where the number of lanes in the first lane conveyor is equal to the number of lanes in the second lane conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for consecutively discharging objects from containers moving along a fixed path having a number of discharge points therealong. The apparatus includes a rotatable control sleeve extending along the path with a device arranged at each of the discharge points to cause passing containers to discharge consecutively. A driving member is provided to effect rotation of the control sleeve to a succession of discharging conditions and a further device is provided to prevent over advancement or run-back of the control sleeve with respect to certain discharge positions assumed by the latter. A further device is provided to permit the control sleeve to return rapidly to an initial operating condition on discharge of the last of a series of containers.

Abstract: A guide cylinder with its axis directed in the upper and lower directions is provided on the bottom of a hopper. In the guide cylinder are allowed to pass a plurality of measuring containers supported by an endless conveyor which is moving upwardly from the bottom of the hopper, so that bulk foods in the hopper are scooped up into the measuring containers. While the measuring container is still over the hopper, excess bulk foods are caused to fall onto the hopper by way of a suitable shaking operation. Thereafter, the bulk foods are conveyed out of the hopper by the conveyor, and exhausted at an exhausting station by turning the measuring container upside down. The distance between the measuring containers provided on the endless conveyor is made smaller than the length of the guide cylinder so that at least one of the measuring containers is always present in said guide cylinder. This enables the measuring containers to further serve as a bottom covering of the hopper.

Abstract: A continuous conveyance system comprising a series of ship-shaped conveyance containers whereby bulk load is conveyed, two pairs of endless chains adapted to support and carry said conveyance containers at both front and rear portions thereof, said pairs of endless chains consisting of a pair of inner chains adapted to carry the front portion of each said container and a pair of outer chains adapted to carry the rear portion of said container, chain wheels around which said endless chains are passed, said chain wheels consisting of the inner chain wheels around which said inner endless chains are passed and the outer chain wheels around which said outer endless chains are passed, said both inner and outer chain wheels being secured to a common shaft at the rotatory section where the bulk load is received, the rotatory section where bulk load is dropped and the rotatory section where the direction of movement of the conveyance container is merely changed by 90.degree.

Abstract: Horizontal basket extractors with a continuous conveyor with spaced baskets or cells are arranged with traveling splitters movable along the top and/or bottom runs of the conveyor synchronously with the baskets arranged to divert a continuous flow of solids and/or liquids from a preceding basket to a following one, thereby eliminating the intermittent feeding of the material being charged in succession but avoiding passage of the material through the spaces between the baskets.