Abstract: An apparatus for buffering or temporarily storing articles is disclosed. The apparatus includes a feed for the articles with at least one endless flexible member moving past the feed. Doglike elements which engage the articles and between which the articles are transported are movable together with the flexible member. One or more guide members for guiding the flexible member during changes of direction are provided with a discharge for discharging an article from between two doglike elements. A mechanism for diminishing the impact to the articles is provided wherein the guide members are movable relative to the feed and/or discharge.

Abstract: An attachment member for securing a pair of conveyor trolley brackets to a conveyor chain center link has a stem portion insertable through the center link between the trolley brackets to position recesses thereon in engagement with the center link sides and has a pair of integral end portions which overlap the opposite ends of the trolley brackets, which overlappingly engage the center link sides, and which form buffers for the ends of chain side bars connected to the center link. The attachment member is preferably formed of an impact noise suppressing material such as nylon.

Abstract: A rotatable auger is disposed within an ice chest to direct ice through an opening into a tubular conduit through which runs a flexible looped cable. Plastic paddles are fixed to the cable at spaced intervals and engage with ice received within the conduit and advance the ice through the conduit to an above-the-counter transparent display segment of the conduit having an outer transparent plastic tube surrounding an inner transparent plastic tube through which the conveyed ice is visible. The ice is conveyed to a discharge opening where a user activated gate valve controls ice discharge. An ice return tube directs undispensed ice back to the ice chest.

Abstract: An elongated drawbar tension element is provided for the conveyor chain of an en masse conveyor. The drawbar includes a hollow hub at one end for receiving an enlargement at the other end of an adjacent drawbar element coupled thereto to form a chain. The side faces of the hollow drawbar hub are formed with tapered dovetail shaped grooves for receiving complementary tapered dovetail shaped tongues formed on the inboard sides of transversely extending conveyor flights. The tapered tongue and groove connection is self-tightening in normal use and the complementary dovetail configuration thereof prevents lateral separation of the conveyor flights from the drawbar hub. An adhesive material may be applied to the self-tightening connection to prevent loosening thereof and separation of the flights from the drawbar elements when the conveyor chain is subjected to vibration, irregular loads or is moving in a downward direction.

Abstract: A chain arrangement for drag-chain conveyors. The chain arrangement includes a round-link chain with vertical chain links, horizontal chain links and pushers fastened on horizontal chain links. The pushers engage with pusher projections into the respective horizontal chain links. The outer radius of the chain link arc members of the vertical chain links is selected smaller than the inner radius of spherically-shaped recesses in the pusher projections. The resulting play ensures that the pushers travel without jamming and enter without problems into the guide surfaces of the upper portion of the conveyor trough of the drag-chain conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus used primarily in processing products such as applying liquids such as dyestuff by means of a patterned application of a moving stream of dye, having a first planar portion and an endless flexible element adjacent said first planar portion and a second planar portion adjacent said endless flexible element, where said flexible element has a series of slats mounted thereon that precisely coordinate the processed item underneath the processing element such as an element that provides patterned application of dye in order to achieve precise repeatable results.

Abstract: A conveyor for bulk materials comprising first and second housings, a pair of conduits interconnecting the housings to provide a circuitous path, one of the housings and the conduits having means for feeding material therein, one of the housings and the conduits having means for discharging material therefrom, a sprocket mounted in each of the housings, means for driving one of the sprockets, and a rope assembly including a nylon-coated metallic wire rope disposed in the housings and the conduits, along the circuitous path, and reeved around the sprockets, metallic end ferrules press-fit onto and welded to opposing, exposed end portions of the rope, a plurality of intermediate metallic ferrules press-fit onto the nylon coating of the rope at spaced intervals between the end ferrules, and a plurality of disc assemblies mounted on the rope and received within spaced recesses provided on the peripheries of the sprockets, each of the disc assemblies inlcuding a single boss and a single disc mounted on the rope an

Abstract: In an automatic loading system and method wheeled carts receive five or six layers of newspaper bundles of four to six bundles per layer. A waist-high conveyor and an inclined ramp conveyor move bundles to a roller platform of independently operated roller sections selectively halted upon receipt of a bundle. When the desired number of bundles have been delivered to the roller platform, a pusher laterally moves the bundles to a split roller platform. A second group of bundles are delivered to the roller platform and the split roller platform. The sections of the split roller platform are then abruptly pulled apart causing the bundles to drop upon a fork-like platform extending into one side of a cart receiving the bundles. The pusher is retracted to the start position and the fork-like platform is lowered to receive the next layer of bundles in a like manner.

Abstract: A selectively removable block and pusher assembly is provided for a feed chain comprising a plurality of links. At least some of the links are provided with a pair of parallel spaced pins extending transversely therefrom from which the block and pusher assembly is removable. Each block and pusher assembly comprises a block and a pusher removably attached to the block. The block includes a first pair of parallel, spaced bores extending therethrough parallel to its transverse axis for receiving the pins extending from the links, and a retaining member positioned in the block for releasably retaining circumferential grooves formed adjacent the free ends of the pins. The retaining member comprises a flexible and resilient U-shaped spring clip having a pair of spaced legs received in a second pair of spaced bores in the block and an intermediate portion which releasably retains the circumferential grooves in the pins.

Abstract: A ring spinning machine is provided with a carrier rail extending along each row of spinning stations for slidably guiding peg trays. A guide rail is secured to the carrier rail for receiving connecting pieces in snap-fitted relation which serve to move the peg trays along the carrier rail. The connecting pieces are secured to a vertically disposed conveyor belt so that the conveyor belt is guided by the connecting pieces along the spinning stations.

Abstract: An electromagnetically driven conveyor apparatus has an endless enclosure which is made of a non-magnetic material and which has an interior surface which defines an enclosed channel. Within the channel are a plurality of channel partitioning elements which have a magnetic core and which extend to edges which are slidably fitted against the interior surface of the channel enclosure. A prolongation is positioned between each partitioning element for spacing apart each successive partitioning element. At least two electromagnetic drive units, which movably reciprocate between two positions, are positioned adjacent an outside surface of the enclosure to effect transport of the partitioning elements. Infeed and outfeed units are associated with the channel enclosure for, respectively, introducing product to be conveyed into the channel and removing conveyed product from the channel.

Abstract: An electromechanical machine for the automatic production of portions, in any desired number, of toasted slices of bread, without human intervention includes a central body, shaped as a quarter-tronco-cone, provided with a set of guides (1) which stretch along the curved surface from the top to bottom and arrive near a horizontal metallic bay (N) which is fixed, and on which a belt conveyor moves, respectively constituted by a jointed structure (5) to which round and stiff elements (4) are fixed. The jointed structure is moved by a motor to which the structure is connected.

Abstract: The device disclosed comprises a support surface for unit loads, on which a load-bearing flow medium cushion, in particular an air cushion, can be constructed. Passages in the support surface communicate through a channel with a pressure source for the flow medium. At least part of the support surface consist of a body permeable to the flow medium and made of a sintered material, and which is inserted in the passages which can be connected through the channel to the pressure source.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting spinning tubes mounted on peg trays for supply and removal of spinning tubes to and from spinning positions at opposite sides of a double-sided spinning machine comprises an endless upstanding conveyor belt extending about the machine. A plurality of transport members are affixed along two spaced transport sections of the belt each of a length corresponding to the spinning stations at the opposite machine side, for carrying peg trays with spinning tubes thereon. Obstruction elements are similarly affixed at spacings along the remaining extents of the belt to prevent receipt of peg trays therealong, whereby only the number of peg trays and spinning tubes required to supply the spinning positions of the machine are carried by the transport apparatus.

Abstract: A device for identifying and sorting objects includes a low-friction surface for supporting parcels to be identified and sorted, each provided with a bar code on at least one side thereof, a dragging mechanism capable of conveying parcels from a staging area to a sorting area via a readout station which identifies each parcel by means of its bar code, and a plurality of trap doors, responsive to the readout station and located at predetermined positions on the low-friction surface, through which the identified parcels are selectively discharged and thereby routed to a corresponding plurality of intermediate or final destinations. The dragging mechanism comprises a pair of pulleys between which a flexible cable is operatively engaged which in turn pulls a plurality of drag arms over the low-friction surface.

Abstract: There is provided a self-propelled conveyor for use in mining operations having an endless revolving conveyor strand driven in its longitudinal direction by intermediate drives and guided on a conveyor frame which consists of segments multi-directionally pivotally connected to one another along the central longitudinal axis of the conveyor. The conveyor frame has downwardly extendible support elements which, for the conveying operation, lift the conveyor strand reversing in the lower stringer from the ground when the support elements are extended. For the transporting operation, the support elements are retracted so as to permit the strand to lie on the ground. Between the segments of the conveyor frame disposed in the front region of the conveyor there are steering cylinders by means of which the angle between these segments can be adjusted so as to direct the longitudinal direction of the conveyor.

Abstract: An intermittent feed system for intermittently feeding a plurality of works in two rows in a predetermined direction has a pair of guide rails which extend in the predetermined direction in parallel to each other and spaced from each other in the direction of their widths. A single endless belt is disposed below the space between the guide rails and extends in the predetermined direction. A plurality of attachments are fixed to the endless belt at regular intervals to move together with the endless belt in the predetermined direction. Each attachment has a vertical base portion which projects upward through the space between the guide rails and a pair of arm portions which transversely project in opposite directions above the respective guide rails so that when the endless belt moves in the predetermined direction, each arm portion pushes the work placed on the corresponding guide rail in the predetermined direction along the guide rail.

Abstract: An entraining element for a chain conveyor includes an elongated member having a recess which confines a link of the conveyor. The entraining element further includes a clamping member which is complementary to the recess and the link and holds the latter in the recess. The clamping member is provided with a pair of flanges, and the clamping member and the link are locked in the recess by wedges which engage the flanges. The wedges extend transverse to the elongation of the elongated member and can be inserted in openings formed in the elongated member or in spaces defined by the elongated member and the flanges.

Abstract: A machine for packaging is a non-germ atmosphere according to the present invention comprises a container sterilization means which sterilizes containers, and a fill-end-pack means which fills the food in the containers and seals them with lids. At least a pair of rails runs through the container sterilization means and the fill-and-pack means. The containers are hung by the rails and they are intermittently carried by a first intermittent carrying means and the container sterilization means and by a second intermittent carrying means in the fill-and-pack means. The machine is arranged such that it is readily adjustable for different sized containers without allowing germs in the atmosphere to enter into the machine. The container sterilization means for further comprises an air current control means to control the flow of the sterilization agent and to fully sterilize the containers.

Abstract: In a multi-strand chain conveyor having conveying members (1) which are connected via coupling elements (2) to connecting links (9) of identical orientation of adjacent chain strands (17, 18, 19), projections (5) of the coupling elements (2) engage into the clear inner spaces (14) of connecting links (9) of the outer chain strands (17, 18) in a manner such that their ends point in different directions. As a result of the different direction of engagement of the ends of the projections (5) into the connecting links (9), undesired twisting of the outer chain strands (17, 18) are countered and in this manner the security of the connection between the conveying members (1) and the chain strands (17, 18, 19) is increased.

Abstract: A cable pulley transmission has a plurality of pulleys with flight receiving pockets, an endless cable trained about the pulleys, and a plurality of flights located at spaced intervals along the cable. The flights on the cable fit into the flight receiving pockets of the pulleys for transmitting motion between the pulleys and the cable. Each of the flights are formed by two half-sections that are mounted together about the cable. Such a transmission can be used as a lift for liquid. One pulley is located in a source of liquid and at least one pulley is located above the liquid source. The cable has an ascending section and a descending section. The flights are spaced to maintain a column of liquid surrounding the ascending cable section.

Abstract: A flight attachment is provided for a drive chain comprised of a plurality of overlapping links pivotally connected by pins so that stress loads transmitted through the chain by flight are transferred through the chain pivot pins and not through the chain side bars. The flight attachment comprises a pair of flight brackets, one located on each side of a link of the chain and connected to the chain in cantilever fashion by elongate, laterally extending pivot pins. The flight brackets are constructed and arranged to accept a collector flight securely mounted thereon.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed which serves for transporting bales of hay or the like material in a curve. It is made up of a frame, having a bale-receiving and a bale-discharging end; of an endless link chain extending between the frame ends and following the conveyor curve, and of an upright shoulder plate, mounted on the frame between its ends. This plate follows the chain on the chain side facing inwardly of the curve and is provided, on one face, with a plastic chain support for carrying the chain. This chain support is formed with a pair of parallel grooves longitudinally extending between the frame ends. Each groove has an opening on the side of the support facing away from the shoulder plate. These grooves are configured and spaced from one another for slidably supporting the chain strands between the frame ends. The strands are fitted into the grooves and protrude partly out through their openings.

Abstract: A scraper conveyor comprising a conveyor chain or wire provided with a plurality of transverse scraper discs and passing along a closed path at least partly defined by a stationary conveyor channel or a tube extending from a material inlet station and past at least one receiver station, in which the material is dispensable through outlet openings in said channel or tube. The conveyor chain or wire is driven by a driving wheel engaging the transverse scraper discs, with the driving wheel being a circumferentially substantially smooth wheel having an outer cross sectional shape which conditions a frictional engagement between the wheel and the wheel periphery engaging portions of the outer edges of the scraper members. A tightener is provided for tightening the moved element of the conveyor about the driving wheel sufficiently to ensure a firm frictional engagement between these parts.

Abstract: A round link chain having vertical links with a smaller pitch than the horizontal links. The combined pitch of each vertical link and horizontal link in the configuration of a size 42 round link chain corresponds to the combined pitch of two chain links of a size 38 round link chain, so that in consideration of the stout vertical links, it is possible to use a size 42 round link chain in place of a size 38 round link chain in conventional chain scraper conveyors with limited height of passage for the carrying run and the slack run, and this without altering the pitch diameter of the chain sprockets.

Abstract: A chain scraper conveyor having at least one conveyor chain circulating in the conveyor includes drivers which are secured to the chain and which extend from both sides thereof. The drivers include guides that are received in trough channels adjacent the bottom plate of the conveyor. Rollers are provided to support the drivers and to reduce friction.

Abstract: An improved pusher-type chain for a conveyor of the type comprising an elongated base means having a bottom and upstanding side guides or flanges. The base means may be made up of two or more sections joined together end-to-end in such manner as to permit them to be shifted with respect to each other from side-to-side horizontally and vertically upwardly and downwardly about the juncture. The pusher-type chain is a continuous chain adapted to be driven so that one of its spans moves longitudinally along the upper surface of the base means bottom and between the side guides or flanges in a conveying direction so as to advance therealong the material being conveyed. The chain comprises a plurality of pusher elements normally extending substantially transversely of the conveying direction. Adjacent pusher elements are joined together by a series of block-like links and pairs of plate-like links arranged alternately and joined together and to the pusher elements by pintle means permitting vertical articulation.

Abstract: A chain for a trough conveyor includes individual chain links connected with each other by hinge bolts. Removable flight attachment members, which may be flat or curved, connected with each other by at least one cross piece are provided on both sides of the chain links. Two bearing blocks are provided, each with a bore for receiving the hinge bolt. The cross piece rests on the trough by way of a rest surface. At least one support surface disposed in relation to the cross piece in the direction of the chain serves for preventing the tipping of the flight attachment arms when under the action of operating forces. An alternative embodiment includes a dual U-shaped frame about a frame of bearing blocks and cross pieces.

Abstract: A ski comprising a guide pipe (2) guiding a string of elements that transmit a towing force to any conventional towing device attached to the string at suitable intervals. Instead of being a tension element like a wire, a rope or the like, which is conventional in known ski tows, the string consists of separate pressure elements (7), each having at either end an end face contacting the opposed end face of an adjacent element, whereby the towing force is transmitted by pushing the string, which is accordingly subjected to a compression force.

Abstract: A carpenter's elevator and conveyor which includes a pair of spaced framework elements transversely interconnected by braces. An elongated material supporting plate extends between the framework elements over the braces and is joined at one longitudinal edge to a guidance plate which extends at an acute angle to the plane of the material supporting plate. An elongated chain channel is positioned centrally in the material supporting plate, and extends parallel to the guidance plate. An endless flexible conveyor has an upper reach lying in the chain channel and carries a plurality of spaced material pusher flights. A motor is drivingly connected to the conveyor and is mounted between the spaced framework elements, and horizontally spaced from one end of the material supporting plate. A motor switch plate is mounted between the motor and material supporting plate, and a motor guard bar extends between the framework elements on the opposite side of the motor from the switch plate.

Abstract: A hook line includes a hook portion and a link portion contained in two different planes substantially perpendicular to one another. A projection tip is provided on a distal end of the hook portion to provide secure locking action between adjacent hook links; the normal clearance between the tip and the connected link portion being insufficient to allow coupling/uncoupling action. A tip receiving groove extends substantially laterally across the elongated ring forming the link portion. The ring defines a longitudinal slot for receipt of said hook portion. The groove of one hook link receives the projection tip of an adjacent hook link to allow coupling/uncoupling action. In the preferred embodiment, the groove extends along an arc between a transverse midline of said longitudinal slot and an end of said longitudinal slot opposite said hook portion. The groove and tip structure substantially eliminates uncoupling during normal conveyor operation even when subjected to incidental slackening.

Abstract: A guiding and transporting arrangement employs opposed guide rails which have longitudinally extending guide structure associated therewith for slidably accommodating a lead frame between the guide rails, which guide rails are slidably supported on transversely extending guide rods, and are drivingly coupled together by a threaded screw arrangement which can be driven to accurately move the guide rails inwardly and outwardly to adjust the spacing therebetween. A conveyor is disposed for cooperation with the guide rails and is disposed below the lead frames to drivingly displace the lead frames longitudinally along the guide rails.

Abstract: A sugar cane billet planter has a main bin and a sorter bin adjacent the main bin. Billets are moved by a main bin elevator from the main bin to the sorter bin and, thence, by a sorter bin elevator from the sorter bin to a billet chute. The elevator used to convey billets from the sorter bin to the billet chute uses a chain with conveyor fingers, each finger carrying an individual billet in an end-to-end relationship with adjacent billets. Sorter fingers project perpendicularly from the chain, align the billets within the sorter bin and allow them to be carried by the conveyor fingers. The chains and conveyor fingers are operable within a recess of a width slightly greater than the width of the chain and conveyor fingers.

Abstract: This invention comprises a conveyor chain linkage which is especially well adapted for tubular type bulk handling conveyors wherein it is very important that the linkage be very strong but take up as little space as possible in order not to diminish the volumetric capacity of the conveyor and also be very accurate in pitch dimensions so as to operate properly on the sprocket which drives the chain. Structurally the preferred form of the invention comprises a rod, each end of which has a slightly increased diameter area which is threaded and a ball having a central opening threaded to fit onto a threaded area and a ball so threaded on each end of the rod.

Abstract: An inserting machine having an improved hold-down member which provides for reduced friction between the hold-down member and the inserts as the inserts pass beneath the hold-down member. An endless belt moves with the lugs in order to transport the inserts along the insert track while friction between the bottom-most insert in a stack and the insert track. The possibility of thin or flimsy inserts jamming the insert track or being erroneously moved to another insert pile is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A flight for a chain which has sidebars, comprising a side portion adapted to lie against the outer surface of one sidebar of a chain link. A lip is attached to one end of the side portion and includes a lip portion adapted to contact the inner surface of the sidebar.

Abstract: A chain bucket conveyor for an underground excavation has a substantially U-shaped forward conveyor part at the side of the sole and open toward a roof, a return conveyor part at the side of backfilling and closed in a substantially channel-like manner, wherein the return conveyor part is normal to the forward conveyor part, and means for transporting the chain from one to the other of the conveyor parts and including actuating stations, a rotary chain wheel having chain pockets and arranged at the actuating stations rotatable about an axis which extends toward the roof and backfilling and is located in a vertical plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, and a conical surface narrowing toward the roof and having an axis coinciding with the axis of rotation of the chain wheel.

Abstract: An arrangement in sawing machines or like processing machines for the forward feeding and infeeding of work pieces, such as logs in particular, to the machine, comprising a stationary saw table which extends parallel to the desired feed line for the workpiece, at least up to the sawing machine, and at least two, individually drivable, endless feed chains which extend in vertical planes parallel with the feed line beneath the saw table. Each of the feed chains is provided with at least one dogging means which moves in a groove in the saw table. The groove is parallel with the feed line and common to all dogging means. The dogging means projects up out of the groove, above the surface of the saw table, in a manner to enable the dogging means to act on the rear end surface of a work piece resting on the saw table, for feeding said workpiece up to and into the sawing machine.

Abstract: A feed conveyor for loose materials of the kind in which a plurality of spaced apart radially protruding scraping flights are integrally molded on a flexible cable, the improvement being characterized by distributing the stress on the cable more evenly throughout the length thereof when the cable assumes a flexed position, resulting in a concomitant decrease in the frequency of cable failure.

Abstract: A two part scraper for a chain conveyor has upper and lower parts joined along a horizontal dividing surface. The surface contains bar and groove interlocking means and at least a pair of chain beds for securing the scraper to a link of the chain.

Abstract: A sequential feeder for rapidly feeding fruit to a sequential citrus fruit extractor includes a plurality of chain conveyors, each conveyor being mounted in a vertical plane extending between a lane of a fruit hopper and a lower extractor cup of the extractor. Each chain conveyor includes a plurality of fingers mounted in uniform intervals thereon. A guide plate assembly is provided for each chain for having a contour which causes the chain to move upwardly from the fruit support through a broad curvature adapted to assure that the fingers maintain positive control of the fruit. The guide plate assembly has a sharply curved upper end which causes the fingers of the chain conveyor to pivot rapidly forward after a fruit has been elevated to a height above the associated lower extractor cup such rapid pivoting causes the fruit to be propelled at a high speed into the associated cup.

Abstract: A scraper assembly for a scraper chain conveyor includes a scraper and a locking member connected together by bolts. The scraper and the locking member are formed with cooperating shaped parts which define a bed for a link of the chain of the conveyor. The bolts are inclined at an acute angle to the plane of said bed.

Abstract: An improved conveyor system, designed particularly for unloading bulk cargo, such as refuse, from a tractor-trailer type transporter. The conveyor system traverses the full length of the trailer cargo-box floor and includes at least a pair of endless chains arranged in parallelism, each chain being affixed to a plurality of cleat members that are affixed in a predetermined space relationship to each other, the cleats being arranged along only one-quarter of the total continuous length of the chains; and wherein the cleats are positioned along the rear half of the cargo box floor when loading refuse therein, whereby the rear half of the refuse is unloaded first, followed by the forward half of the refuse.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring books or the like between work stations comprises a conveyor chain. A raceway is located along the conveyor chain and supports books thereon. A plurality of pushing devices project from the conveyor chain. Each of the pushing devices has a surface spaced above the raceway for engaging a surface of a book to push the book along the raceway. Each pushing device is attached to the conveyor chain and comprises a pusher finger construction which bends backwardly relative to the direction of movement thereof upon encountering a predetermined resistance to movement of the book pushed thereby and for passing beyond the book providing said predetermined resistance.

Abstract: A flight conveyor and more particularly a flight conveyor including an improved means for attaching the flights to the conveyor chain.

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: Drag type feed chains employing links interconnecting one with the other at positions sufficiently above the center lines of the links to increase the strength of the associated abrasion dragging surfaces of the links.

Abstract: A transport device for displacement of filter plates embodying a transport pawl pivotally mounted on a drawing element disposed to move the plates in the direction of opening. The pawl has a recess which cooperates with upwardly extending catches and a forward deflector surface which cooperates with the catch of an adjacent plate in a stack of plates to prevent the pawl from dropping into operative position. At least one additional pawl is pivotally mounted on the drawing element and has an additional deflector surface rearwardly of the recess therein which cooperates with the catch of an adjacent plate. The recess in the pawl may be of a length to engage two catches carried by two adjacent plates.

Abstract: The entraining element is constructed of a carrier, a striking member and a support member. The striking member is fixed to the conveyor chain via the carrier and has a resilient striking plate which extends transversely of the gripper shuttle path for returning a shuttle to the picker. The support member is mounted behind the striking plate to define a gap with the striking plate in the unloaded state. Upon deflection of the striking plate during loading, the plate abuts resiliently against the support member.