Abstract: An apparatus for closing lidded cartons has a turning station including a flightless horizontal conveyor, and a chain conveyor which extends along one side of the flightless conveyor and has light restraint members pivotally mounted on its links. The chain conveyor is moved in the same direction as the horizontal conveyor, but at a slower speed. Part way along the chain conveyor an upwardly directed air jet moves the restraint members individually but in succession to temporary raised positions in which they are available for engagement by a carton which is moving along the flightless conveyor in overlapping relation to the chain conveyor. A restraint member engaged by a carton in this way thereafter serves as a fulcrum about which the carton pivots through a substantial angle. Plough bars later complete the rotation of the carton through 90.degree. in total.

Abstract: Green sand molds for use in casting operations are made automatically by a matchplate molding system. Features of the system include (1) pneumatic apparatus for filling the cope and drag flasks with sand (2) a pusher on the drag flask for shifting molds of various shapes to a transfer conveyor (3) a carriage supporting the drag flask for vertical and lateral movement (4) a lower sand magazine which moves laterally to open and close a sand chute gate while also being movable vertically relative to the gate (5) a squeeze head movable between various positions enabling control over the volume of sand delivered to the cope and drag flasks (6) a vibrator for directly vibrating the matchplates (7) liners for releasably holding molds in the flasks (8) an accumulating conveyor for transferring the newly formed molds and (9) a pusher for shoving the molds off of the accumulating conveyor.

Abstract: Packages to be wrapped, weighed and labeled are fed manually into an infeed station of a wrapping and weighing machine from an operator's position. A conveyor then carries them to a wrapping station. The packages are automatically wrapped at the wrapping station and returned to a weighing scale positioned above the infeed station at the operator's position where the packages are weighed and a label is printed adjacent the weighing scale and within convenient reach of the operator. The label is then manually applied by the operator as the wrapped and weighed package is removed from the scale. The wrapping station engages in continued cyclic operation so long as there are any packages in the machine. However, the conveyor operates on a demand basis in response to the placement of packages into the infeed. When a package is sensed, the conveyor goes through one operating cycle in synchronism with the operation of the wrapping station.

Abstract: A device for transferring product transported by an endless conveyor onto a receiving surface, the device includes two endless flexible members which each carry at least one pusher member for controlling the movement of product along the conveyor, sensors for sensing the arrival and the departure of product at the conveyor and the receiving surface, the sensors being connected with a control apparatus which is capable of independently actuating a drive mechanism, associated with each of the flexible members, so that the flexible members can be actuated independently to control the product transfer.

Abstract: A depository for receiving under conditions of security bank transaction deposits in envelopes of carying thicknesses one at a time, wherein the envelopes may contain coin in different sizes and numbers. The depository has a transport mechanism including a fixed upper platen, an endless belt having a lower flight movable below and supported by the fixed upper platen, and a lower platen movable with respect to the fixed upper platen at an angle downward from the belt and in the direction of belt travel when the belt is driven. An envelope being conveyed is pinched between the belt and a narrow longitudinal central ribbed plastic rail projecting upward from the movable lower platen. The plastic rail ribs have slippery low friction surfaces and the belt engages a low friction slippery surface portion of the fixed upper platen.

Abstract: A conveyor is shown having an endless material transporting member running between an idler sprocket at one end and a drive sprocket at the other, both supported in a frame of the conveyor. A drive motor is used to drive the drive sprocket, and hence the conveyor. A controlling device for the motor is provided having a pivotally mounted slack sensing lever having a first rest position spaced apart beneath an upper flight of the endless material transporting member. A counterweight, resting on a stop urges the lever in position. The lever is fixed to a pivot pin, which has a trip lever attached. Upon slack in the chain deflecting the slack sensing lever, the pivot pin rotates moving the trip lever which in turn activates a microswitch controlling the motor. Upon sufficient deflection, the motor will be de-activated.

Abstract: The invention provides a mine conveyor, for use in hazardous atmospheres, comprising an endless conveying belt; an electric motor; and a torque transmission arrangement located between the electric motor and the endless conveying belt, the torque transmission arrangement incorporating a modulated wet clutch and a torque converter, with a drive drivable by transmission gearing and adapted to make driving relationship with the endless conveying belt; and a control system for controlling the torque transmission arrangement, the system comprising an electro-hydraulic control circuit incorporaitng an intrinsically safe (as herein defined) unit to monitor and control the conveyor, at least one microprocessor incorporated in the intrinsically safe unit, the microprocessor incorporating a memory whereby a ramp starting mode, a running mode, and a stop mode required for the conveyor are preprogrammable into the microprocessor, and at least one transducer included in the electro-hydraulic control circuit to monitor at

Abstract: An accumulator conveyor having a load support frame defined by side rails each having a series of idler wheels, the load support frame defining a load support plane adapted to support a series of loads along its length. A shuttle frame is reciprocable relative to, and preferably supported by, the load support frame. The shuttle frame carries a series of pusher bars spaced one from the other to define a series of load stations along the conveyor's length. A novel drive mechanism reciprocates the shuttle frame, and therefor the pusher bar assemblies, relative to the stationary load support frame, for indexing any load on the load support frame from an upstream station to an adjacent downstream station. The conveyor also includes a novel station lock out system which causes the pusher bar of a station to be latched down beneath the support plane of the load in that station when loads are parked in all stations downstream therefrom.

Abstract: A conveyor for textile machines such as open-end spinning frames, winding machines, two-for-one twisting machines, and the like, which comprises a static conveyor channel, supply levers that cooperate momentarily with the conveyor channel and are provided with a to-and-fro movement, actuators for causing the supply leaves to cooperate momentarily with the conveyor channel, and positioners for the tubes. The conveyor may be installed parallel to the working side of the machine, and apparatus to gear-up and increase the to-and-fro travel distance of some of the supply leavers may be advantageously included.

Abstract: At least three storage devices (6,7,8) are serially arranged between an entrance station (1) and a processing station. Transfer devices are disposed between adjacent storage devices and between a last storage device and the processing station. The transfer devices are operated independently of each other, a given transfer device being operated whenever both a storage device which precedes the given transfer device in the direction of travel of the sets of sheets is occupied and a storage device which succeeds the given transfer device in the direction of travel of the sets of sheets is ready to receive a set of sheets.

Abstract: A pusher assembly for use with a signature stacker pushes a stack of signatures from the stacker. The pusher assembly includes a pusher bar, a linkage for moving the pusher bar, and a controller for adjusting the length of travel of the pusher bar. The pusher bar is supported for reciprocating movement along a length of travel for engaging the stack of signatures. The linkage is connected to an extendible fluid cylinder which moves the linkage upon actuation to push the stack of signatures from the stacker. The controller actuates the fluid cylinder and is adjustable as a function of signature width for pushing various width stacks from the stacker.

Abstract: A composite-motion drive unit comprises an electromagnet and a drive shaft extending through a hole defined in the electromagnet. The electromagnet and the drive shaft are energized and actuated independently of each other for driving distribution tables coupled respectively thereto in a composite motion pattern. A combinatorial weighing apparatus incorporating the composite-motion drive unit has sweep conveyors for transferring articles from the distribution tables, and a guide chute rotatable in a horizontal plane for distributing articles to be supplied to the distribution tables.

Abstract: An accumulating transfer conveyor utilizing a reciprocal drive and comprising a conveyor frame for supporting an article and a plurality of reciprocating sensing accumulating pads or hooks associated therewith. Each sensing accumulating pad or sensing accumulating hook senses the leading edge of an article or an article support member and means for transferring the article or the article support member forward. The sensing accumulating pads and hooks further sense the trailing edge of a preceding article or article support member so as to prevent against any contact between two articles or article support members.

Abstract: A vacuum operated accumulating conveyor including a table with a slick top surface having an elongated gap. A perforated belt moves along said gap above the open ends of a plurality of vacuum chambers arranged end-to-end at spaced intervals beneath the upper run of the belt. A vacuum generator is coupled to each vacuum chamber. A proximity sensor is arranged adjacent to each vacuum chamber. A controller controls the operation of the vacuum accumulating conveyor to collect a group of bundles upon the conveying table by selective operation of the vacuum generators which create a vacuum condition in the associated vacuum chambers to draw a bundle toward the belt to move each bundle a predetermined distance for initially collecting a group of bundles of a desired number and thereafter delivering the group of bundles collected to suitable take-off apparatus. Bundles may also be advanced without being collected in groups. The selective operation of the vacuum generators conserves energy.

Abstract: A driverless tugger vehicle adapted to contact another driverless vehicle and push or pull the latter to a source of power includes a body having support wheels for riding on tracks. The body has a drive wheel adapted for frictional contact with a drive shaft. A contact member on the body is provided for pushing or pulling the other driverless vehicle. A switch actuator is provided on the body for initiating reversal of direction of movement of the body when the contact member is coupled to said other driverless vehicle.

Abstract: In a conveyor system of the type having laterally spaced side frame members supporting a plurality of load-carrying rollers for rotation about transverse axes to transport a load in a longitudinal direction between an upstream end and a downstream end of the conveyor system, a load-pusher assembly comprises first and second assembly sections including drive and idler mechanisms, respectively, two tracks spanning the space between the side frame members of the conveyor section in parallel relationship to the transverse axes of the load-carrying rollers, a first movable trolley carried by the tracks for pushing the load in a second direction transverse to the first direction, a second movable trolley carried by the tracks for pushing the load in a third direction opposed to the second direction, and linkages connecting the trolleys.

Abstract: A solid material pump or conveyance apparatus and method including a pump housing an inlet and an outlet with a passageway between them. The passageway is formed and defined by a friction drive wall which is movable relative the pump housing towards the outlet and a wall stationary relative the pump housing. The friction drive wall has a greater surface area for contacting the solid material than the stationary wall. The friction drive wall exerts frictional forces upon the solids material introduced through the housing inlet which exceed the frictional drag exerted upon the material by the stationary wall, so that the net frictional force drives the material in a forward direction toward the housing outlet. The solid material is compacted or compressed prior to or upon entry into the pumping apparatus to a sufficient level so that the solid material exhibits some of the properties of a liquid.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor having a plurality of spaced article support stations. A plurality of conveyor modules are reciprocally mounted along the length of the conveyor, with each module being so mounted as to be movable between a pair of adjacent stations. Each module comprises a housing having a reciprocally mounted actuating rod, the outer ends of which are adapted to alternately engageably abut the outer ends of the actuating rods carried by the modules immediately ahead and behind. Article engaging levers carried by each module become operative upon movement of their associated actuating rods to engage an article in one of the associated support stations to transfer the article to the next advanced or forward station when the modules are reciprocated towards the unload station. Each support station has a sensing arm rotatably affixed thereto which detects the presence or absence of an article in the next advanced station.

Abstract: A conveyor with a plurality of article supporting stations has a reciprocatable shuttle mechanism equipped with dogs which engage and advance articles one station on each advance stroke of the shuttle. All dogs are set in article engaging position at the end of each return stroke of the shuttle. A series of accumulating stations extends from the unloading toward the loading end of the conveyor, and accumulating mechanism actuatable independently of the shuttle is operable to reset the dogs of each of these stations to non-engaging position in response to the presence of articles. A control system normally operates the conveyor on a simple cycle of successive advance and return strokes of the shuttle until, with articles detected at the last two stations, the accumulating mechanism is cycled prior to a shuttle advance stroke.

Abstract: A continuous rack support apparatus utilizing the gravity feed principle and in which goods to be stored are supported on rolling vehicles comprises thrust rods which are formed as motional impulse generators and arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable in the center of a track. Pawls are associated with the thrust rods for acting upon the rolling vehicles. Each thrust rod has a locking member for holding it in a locked position following a displacement against the action of a spring. The locking member can be disengaged by the foremost rolling vehicle when the latter is removed. Along the thrust rods are wedges with which the pawls come into contact upon displacement of the thrust rods against the action of the spring to cause the wedges to swivel into a rest position below the track.

Abstract: A pusher conveyor has a series of retractable pushers pivotally connected to an endless chain. The pushers are provided with guide pins which run in guide tracks parallel to the conveyor path. Switches are provided between the guide tracks to guide the pins from one track to another to thereby extend or retract the pushers to engage or disengage articles along the conveyor path. The switches can be coupled to sensors, to enable articles to be stacked along the conveyor path.

Abstract: An automatic accumulating transfer mechanism is provided comprising a frame having a pair of spaced and substantially parallel support rails secured near the top of the frame and upon which a series of workpieces are slidably mounted. Each workpiece is positioned at a work station defined along the support rails at evenly spaced intervals from each other. A plurality of pusher dogs are longitudinally slidably mounted to the frame at spaced intervals from each other and so that one pusher dog is associated with each work station. Moreover, each pusher dog is pivotal between an upper workpiece engaging position and a lower workpiece clearing position. A reciprocal drive device longitudinally moves the pusher dogs in unison with each other from its associated work station and to the next forward work station while a knockdown bar moves all of the pusher dogs to their lower position at or near the forwardmost travel of the pusher dogs.

Abstract: A shuttle type accumulating conveyor adapted to advance articles located behind an empty station to their next successive stations. The conveyor comprises an elongated support along which the stations are longitudinally spaced apart, a transfer bar movable forwardly and rearwardly longitudinally of the elongated support, pusher type feed units and feed unit setting assemblies mounted on the transfer bar and actuator assemblies for moving the feed units to feed positions so that upon an initial rearward movement of the transfer bar from a start position all feed units behind an empty station are moved to their feed positions. The transfer bar is then moved forward a distance substantially greater than the distance between stations to advance articles from station to station. Binding of the drive mechanism due to the prolonged travel of the transfer bar, during which feed unit setting assemblies contact actuator assemblies, is prevented by cooperating recess and pivot means on the actuator assemblies.

Abstract: A mechanism for cleaning floors of animal waste including a scraper adapted to be pulled across the floor by cables having a drive mechanism with novel safety and reversing controls. The blade also uses novel pivoted legs to raise the scraper off the floor while it is returned to its starting point.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor adapted to advance articles from station to station comprising an elongated support along which the stations are longitudinally spaced apart, a transfer bar movable forwardly and rearwardly longitudinally of the elongated support, independently movable feed units on the transfer bar, and means for moving the feed units to feed positions so that upon an initial rearward movement of the transfer bar from a start position all feed units behind an empty station are moved to their feed positions. A work transfer cycle then is completed by moving the transfer bar forwardly to advance the articles behind the empty station to their next adjacent stations and then returning the transfer bar to its start position.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus particularly for intra-plant conveyance in the garment industry comprises conveyor tracks, carrier units travelling on the conveyor tracks and having each at least one stirrup member straddling a conveyor track from below and provided with rollers resting on the top surface of the track, and at least one drive unit for actively conveying the carrier units. The drive unit comprises a conveying bar actuatable to reciprocate along a track section and carrying a plurality of drive transmitting members for engagement with the carrier units. The drive transmitting members are mounted so that they are operative to convey in one working stroke direction, while being able to pass said carrier units without engagement therewith in the return stroke direction. The drive transmitting members are adjustable to reverse the conveying direction of the working stroke.

Abstract: An accumulator conveyor has rollers forming an object transport surface and an endless flexible drive member. The drive member, at intervals, rests on and travels over support members each resiliently supported for vertical movement. Each support member has a generally circular drive member support having a flattened area of reduced radius and also a circular feeler extending into the path of objects on the transport surface. An object held stationary over the feeler depresses it and the drive member, with the drive member continuing to rotate until the flattened area is uppermost, dropping the drive member and terminating its drive engagement with the object above.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor having a plurality of spaced article support stations. A plurality of conveyor modules are reciprocally mounted along the length of the conveyor, with each module being so mounted as to be movable between a pair of adjacent stations. Each module comprises a housing having a reciprocally mounted actuating rod, the outer ends of which are adapted to alternately engageably abut the outer ends of the actuating rods carried by the modules immediately ahead and behind. Article engaging levers carried by each module become operative upon movement of their associated actuating rods to engage an article in one of the associated support stations to transfer the article to the next advanced or forward station when the modules are reciprocated towards the unload station. Each module has a sensing arm rotatably affixed thereto which detects the presence or absence of an article in the next advanced station.

Abstract: A selectable dolly vehicle conveyor system having spaced dollies mounted between two drive chains and normally moving on a lower track concealed beneath an upper track. A ramp for shunting the rear part of a dolly to the upper track to push a vehicle, operates only when both the front wheel of such vehicle holds depressed a threadle switch located beyond the ramp and at the same time the front roller of such dolly has passed the ramp and depresses a dolly threadle plate on the lower track. This permits the front part of the dolly to pass the ramp unobstructed and ensures that only the rear part of the dolly will be shunted to the upper track, even though the front and rear parts of the dolly are longitudinally aligned.

Abstract: A system for the so-called "cube" storage and retrieval of a large number of items, such as loaded pallets, employs a frame providing a plurality of parallel storage paths arranged in one-upon-the-other rows and side-by-side tiers. Each path provides a plurality of stations each able to store an item, and is provided with a motor-operated reciprocating advancing member which extends substantially the full length of the path. The advancing member carries for each station a driving advancing apparatus engagable with the item therein to move it to the next successive station as the member moves; it also carries a detector apparatus, which may be constituted by the respective driving apparatus, to detect the presence of an item at a station and prevent the feeding of an item to an already occupied station. The entry and delivery ends of each path are provided with respective detectors to control movement of the advancing member to ensure that the delivering station is always occupied.

Abstract: In a walking beam type accumulating conveyor wherein workpieces upstream of an empty workpiece supporting station are transferred in a step-by-step fashion from station to station to fill the empty station and any empty stations upstream of it, the workpieces are lifted from each station for transfer to the next downstream station by workpiece carriers supported on transfer bars which themselves move vertically as well as longitudinally of the conveyor, and to render the conveyor most efficient the decision whether to pick up a workpiece at a station and transfer it to the next downstream station is made during elevation of the transfer bars and just prior to the carrier's engaging the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating materials on a shuttle conveyer has a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart dogs vertically rotatably supported on a longitudinally moving body on a shuttle conveyer frame. Each of the dogs is rotatable between a lowered position and a raised position in which it projects above a carrying surface to engage a material on rollers forming the conveyer. A magnet is provided for each dog to maintain it in its raised position. A plurality of detecting levers are vertically rotatably supported on the conveyer frame for detecting any material when such material rides on one end of the lever which projects above the carrying surface, and releasing a corresponding dog into its lowered position.

Abstract: In a reciprocating harpoon-type conveyor operated by a hydraulic circuit, a control system for the conveyor which includes pressure sensitive switches in the hydraulic circuit operated in response to increases in hydraulic pressure indicative of stoppage of the conveyor. The control system is responsive to operation of pressure switches to reverse the conveyor and to sense whether the conveyor is jammed, whether the jam is cleared, and if not, terminates operation of the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system of a type including a tube, a cable having discs rigidly attached to and equally spaced along the cable for conveying granular or powdery materials within the tube is characterized by having an improved drive unit for causing and controlling the movement of the cable and discs through the tube.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor of the kind which is adapted to feed articles thereon towards the downstream end thereof to replace any removed therefrom comprising longitudinally extending laterally spaced conveying surfaces adapted to support articles which are to be fed towards the downstream end of the conveyor, and an endless conveying band is disposed between the conveying surfaces. A selected portion of the band is adapted to be moved from a lowered position to a raised position wherein it engages the underside of articles bridging the conveying surfaces to progress them towards the downstream end of the conveyor to replace any removed therefrom.

Abstract: Packet blanks are fed stepwise along an elongated blank bed by a succession of pawls reciprocating along the length of the bed. Mechanism is provided for lifting the pawls at the end of their working strokes, and for lowering them at the end of their return strokes. In the event that the blank feed is to be interrupted, the mechanism can keep the pawls lifted without stopping reciprocating movement of the pawls.