Abstract: Apparatus for developing photographic film includes a substantially cylindrical, open sided carrier which retains spaced-apart parallel sheets of photographic film within the cylinder. A plurality of horizontal open-topped chemical troughs are disposed side-by-side with a second lip of each trough in the series being disposed adjacent a first lip of the succeeding trough in the series. The film carrier is deposited adjacent the first lip of the first trough. A transport mechanism in each trough rolls the carrier along the inner surface of the trough so that it is ejected over the second lip and drops into the next succeeding trough in the series. The carrier is finally ejected over the second lip of the last trough into a drying chamber where it is subjected to a flow of heated air. The processor is particularly suitable for processing sheets of intraoral dental film.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided which includes a conveyor table which has an advancing section wherein a conveyor transports racks of small objects from a loading position to a position wherein the racks can be removed from the conveyor or unloaded, and a return section wherein the conveyor returns unloaded racks positioned on their sides to the loading point where the racks can be again loaded with small objects or removed from the conveyor for storage, or until later needed. The conveyor is an endless length of a plurality of links joined together head-to-toe, next adjacent links being connected together in such a manner as to allow horizontal pivotal motion permitting the conveyor to move in a curved direction. Each link provides support for the racks and is in turn supported on a rotatable member which makes only line contact with the conveyor table as the conveyor is moved along the conveyor table.

Abstract: A tail assembly for a multiple chain drag conveyor, including a take-up assembly and multiple tail shafts rotatably mounted on the take-up assembly, each of which carries a chain engaging sprocket. Adjustment devices are connected to the tail shafts. The shafts are capable of travel in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of the chain engaged by the associated sprocket and are caused to travel in that direction by the adjustment devices to permit individual tensioning and adjustment of each of the chains.

Abstract: The conveyor belt for the shuttle return conveyor mechanism is formed with a support on the upper surface for laterally supporting a series of shuttles thereon and drivers which act as abutments for moving the shuttles from the catching mechanism to the picking mechanism of the weaving machine. The shuttles are thus conveyed directly on the conveyor belt and do not require separate guides or channels in the weaving machines.

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: A scraper chain conveyor with conveyor pans defining a bend round which flight bars are guided in the general plane of the conveyor is provided at the outside of the bend with an auxiliary conveying unit comprising two spaced apart sprockets rotatable about upstanding axes, a line joining the axes being parallel to a tangent to the bend at least when the auxiliary conveying unit is in use, at least one endless auxiliary chain trained round the sprockets, and means for driving the auxiliary chain in a direction such that its chain run adjacent the scraper chain conveyor moves in the direction of feed of the scraper chain conveyor.

Abstract: A scraper chain conveyor assembly comprises a plurality of trough sections arranged in end-to-end relationship and a bracket side section extending along each trough section. Each bracket side section includes a hollowed sectional part and a mining machine embraces the sectional part and has a sprocket wheel which engages through an elongated slot defined in the sectional part. A round link chain extends through the hollowed sectional part and has respective crossing links held by the sectional part in link-crossing orientation so that one of the crossing links is oriented for engagement by the sprocket wheel engaging through the slot.

Abstract: Conveying system for roll containers (7,8) having no more than one fixed axis on which wheels are aligned and at least one swivel wheel. The system has a track constituted by a transversely sloping floor. Over the lower side of the floor there is a conveyer (3) which--by friction--moves along any roll containers (7,8) standing on the floor and leaning against the conveyer (3).

Abstract: Elongated cylindrical workpieces are transported by gripping same between a driven belt and a supporting surface. The belt imparts rotation to the workpieces for rolling same along the supporting surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding stacks of sheets, in particular reams of paper, comprising a table along which the stacks are pushed forward by the flights of a flight conveyor, each flight having a foot adapted to support the stack, and the apparatus having means for lifting each stack, after it has been placed on the table in position for being pushed forward by a flight, to enable the foot of the flight to come under the stack.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling device acting between to adjacent tubs of a scraping conveyor for mines in which each tub comprises two side members.The recesses for the abutment flanges, like the access openings, are laterally accessible. The retaining partition of the male connecting member is positioned behind the projecting portion of this member. The cross-section of the connecting spindle has dimensions which differ in at least two directions, which are preferably perpendicular to one another. As regards the partition, the width of the access opening of each connecting member is smaller than the maximum dimension, but greater than the minimum dimension of the spindle cross-section. The spindle locking means are arranged so as to prevent the spindle appearing in front of the opening in a position in which the small dimension of its cross-section coincides with the width of the said opening.

Abstract: Packages, containers and the like are moved from one elevation to another by means of an endless conveyor having generally vertical runs and a generally vertical, slippery reaction surface along said vertical run. The endless conveyor has elastic cords or the like for embracing the package, container or the like and pushing it along said surfaces between an input conveyor and a discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A coin sorting device has a coin passage with a floor and a lateral perimeter defining structure on one lateral side (or each of the lateral sides) of the passage, the floor having holes for successively larger coins disposed successively along the passage at positions respectively contiguous to the perimeter defining structure, and the lower span of an endless propelling belt for pressing on the upper faces of the coins and propelling the same is caused by the varying of the travel path of the coins by the perimeter defining structure to be elastically twisted or laterally deflected at parts thereof where the travel path is thus varied and thereby to acquire a reactive restoring force which urges the coins against the corresponding parts of the perimeter defining structure and thereby causes them to be accurately alined in a lateral direction for dropping into their respectively correct sorting holes.

Abstract: A conveyor for the nonforced displacement of a multiplicity of workpiece-supporting carriages along a transport path whereby the carriages can be selectively stopped and, after unloading, are returned to the starting end of the conveyor. Flanking this path there are provided upwardly-open upper channels and laterally open lower channels, each upper and lower channel on a respective side of the path receiving a roller conveyor chain so that rollers of the conveyor are supported upon the bottoms of each channel. The chain has central rollers which support the carriage along the upper stretch of the chain while the lateral rollers engage the bottom of the upper channel. On the return stretch, the central rollers support the chain on the lower channel while at least one of the lateral rollers supports the returning carriage through brackets which reach around the channels and form guides for laterally positioning the carriage with respect to both upper and lower channels.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a scraper-chain conveyor which is usable as a drive or reversing station. The assembly has bearing units, which are supported by spaced-apart side walls. A shaft carrying a chain wheel for engagement with the scraper-chain assembly of the conveyor is mounted for rotation between the bearing units. The chain wheel is constructed from separate parts and can be readily attached to or detached from the shaft without removing the latter. The bearing units have hollow projecting parts which accommodate bearings for the shaft which are protected by seals. These projecting parts smoothly merge with the exterior of the chain wheel. The shaft has hollow end portions provided with splines which can be coupled to a journal introduced into the associated end portion from the exterior of the associated bearing unit which also provides access to the bearings and seals. This journal can then be coupled to a drive means to effect rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: Conveying apparatus which may be embodied as a jib for a cutter-loader machine in tunnelling or mining applications. The apparatus employs a scraper-chain assembly which in known manner is entrained around rotatable members and is circulated within guide channels with side surfaces adjoined by a base or floor surface. An electric drive motor is coupled via reduction-ratio gearing unit to one or other of the rotatable members. The motor and the gearing each have housings joined together end-to-end and the housing of the motor is joined to at least one other body section of the apparatus. The housings and this body section have the same cross-sectional profile defining the aforesaid guide channels.