Abstract: The invention starts from a conveying device (10c) having at least one transport unit (20?c, 20?c) for transporting packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14?c, 14?c) in a transport direction (16c) along a transport path (18c), wherein the transport unit has at least one conveying element (24?c, 24?c) which can be driven along a section (22c) of the transport path (18c). It is proposed that at least one conveying element (24?c, 24?c) has a rear side (26?c, 26?c) which in at least one operating state is intended to pull packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14?c, 14?c) in the transport direction (16c), and a front side (28?c, 28?c) which in at least one operating state is intended to push packaging blanks (12c) and/or containers (14?c, 14?c) in the transport direction (16c). The invention also relates to a packing machine comprising such a conveying device.

Abstract: The device for channeling out upright containers from a first transport device, which moves the container in a transport direction, includes a lateral guide section, which extends in the transport direction, and a gripper unit, which has a plurality of grippers for gripping the containers. The lateral guide section and the gripper unit are moved from a pickup position for the containers jointly in a direction transverse to the transport direction. After this joint movement the gripper unit is moved towards a discharge position for the containers. The lateral guide section and the gripper unit are then moved back to the pickup position.

Abstract: The device for transporting upright containers in a straight line includes a rake conveyor comprising multiple receiving sections for the containers and an opposing support element for the containers carried in the receiving sections. The rake conveyor is connected to two drives by at least two pivot systems, each with two arms, in such a way that the rake conveyor can be pushed back and forth both in the transport direction of the containers and also in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the containers.

Abstract: A tray transportation device is disclosed in this invention. The tray transportation device includes a transfer stage, a loading handler, an operation handler and an unload stage. The transfer stage has a buffer area and an operation area. The loading handler is disposed on the buffer area to handle a tray in the buffer area. The operation handler is disposed on the operation area to handle a tray in the operation area. The unload stage is used to carry the tray transferred from the transfer stage. The loading handler and the operation handler move together, when the operation handler transfers the tray from the operation area to the unload stage; the loading handler transfers the tray from the buffer area to the operation area.

Abstract: A transport and alignment system is provided for handling stacked sheet material on a support deck including first and second belts each having a portion thereof disposed parallel to the support deck. Each of the belts includes a plurality of spaced-apart fingers which engage the edges of the stacked sheet material and define a pocket therebetween. The transport and alignment system further includes a drive mechanism for independently driving the first and second belts to effect concurrent and relative motion of the fingers. Concurrent motion of the fingers transports the stacked sheet material along the support deck while relative motion of the fingers opposed edges of the stacked sheets of material. The transport and alignment system is described in the context of a stitcher and chassis module of a mailpiece inserter.

Abstract: A control architecture for material handling includes multiple tiers of controllers, such as three. The lowest-level controllers interact directly with sensors and actuators used in the material handling system, such as photo-eyes and motors used with conveyors. The lowest-level controllers receive higher level commands from one or more mid-level controllers. The mid-level controllers, in turn, receive still higher level commands and information from at least one upper level controller. Each mid and low level controller is designed to include sufficient intelligence to deal with many of the signals and messages it receives without having to forward those signals or messages to the next higher level controller and await instructions from that higher level controller. The system thus distributes intelligence amongst the controllers. The system is well-adapted for application to conveyor control systems.

Abstract: A control architecture for material handling includes multiple tiers of controllers, such as three. The lowest-level controllers interact directly with sensors and actuators used in the material handling system, such as photo-eyes and motors used with conveyors. The lowest-level controllers receive higher level commands from one or more mid-level controllers. The mid-level controllers, in turn, receive still higher level commands and information from at least one upper level controller. Each mid and low level controller is designed to include sufficient intelligence to deal with many of the signals and messages it receives without having to forward those signals or messages to the next higher level controller and await instructions from that higher level controller. The system thus distributes intelligence amongst the controllers. The system is well-adapted for application to conveyor control systems.

Abstract: Device and method for the alignment of stacked products to be wrapped such as newspapers, magazines and books, with or without inserts, of any thickness or size. Sheet placers feed products into the device via a conveyor system equipped with pushers, set at predetermined positions. The products are aligned by engaging elements that rotate through a slot inside of which the conveyor pushers also slide. The engaging elements decrease in speed as they intercept the products, and align the products with the conveyor pushers as they are transported along the conveyor to a packaging area.

Abstract: The present invention provides grasping mechanisms, gripper apparatus/systems, and related methods. Grasping mechanisms that include stops, support surfaces, and height adjusting surfaces to determine three translational axis positions of a grasped object are provided. In addition, grasping mechanisms that are resiliently coupled to other gripper apparatus components are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for conveying bulk material, particularly, cement clinker (2), in a cement cooler (3). The invention device is essentially comprised of a number of grate bars (5) arranged one behind the other, which can be moved forward and backward by means of a common drive (7). The grate bars (5) each have a formation (11) through which, in a forward travel position (10), a cavity (14) is produced between the formation (11) and a protective layer (6). During return travel, the grate bar (5) can be retracted into said cavity (14) without an appreciable amount of bulk material (2) being conveyed counter to the direction of conveyance (9).

Abstract: A chip plow conveyor for conveying abrasive scrap includes an elongated trough having a flat bottom and sides, and a chip-motivating pusher bar. The pusher bar moves longitudinally and floats laterally as the pusher bar reciprocates to move scrap along the trough. Lateral floating of the pusher bar helps overcome binding caused by scrap material wedging between the pusher bar and one of the sides, but wedging still causes the pusher bar to engage the sides with substantial force. The pusher bar includes a bearing component with beveled front corners on a leading end of the pusher bar, with the inclined ramps providing angled engagement with the sides and characteristically providing a longitudinally-angled corner surface arrangement that cannot be sharpened into a knife-simulating edge even after substantial wear against the flat bottom and the sides of the trough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for continuous treatment of objects in a processing unit, where the objects are moved along a conveyor track passing through the processing unit by a first linear-action conveyor device performing a back-and-forward movement and where the objects are supplied to/removed from the conveyor track by a transfer device.

Abstract: A sludge collecting apparatus comprising: a vehicle body which is long in advance/retreat directions and has driving means; and a plurality of scrapers which are disposed at intervals in the advance/retreat directions including a sludge scraper which is most advanced to the sludge collecting pit side and performs a collecting operation to collect and drop sludge into the sludge collecting pit and following sludge scrapers which perform a collecting operation, the front and rear sludge scrapers have the relation such that the collecting state and the noncollecting state are interlockingly switched, the interval between the neighboring front and rear sludge scrapers is shorter than the advance/retreat stroke of the vehicle body, the following sludge scraper in the collecting motion pushes the sludge toward the sludge collecting pit further than the return position of the advanced sludge scraper in the collecting motion, and the most advanced sludge scraper sequentially collects and drops the sludge collected by

Abstract: A guide rail mechanism for a bonding apparatus for transferring a workpiece such as a lead frame, etc. including a pair of guide rails each comprising an edge surface guide rail element for guiding the edge surface of the workpiece and an undersurface guide rail element disposed beneath the edge surface guide rail element so as to support the undersurface of the edge portion of the workpiece. A driver for the undersurface guide rail element comprised of a rotational shaft with an eccentric cam portion and other parts is installed so as to move the undersurface guide rail element, thus changing the positional relationship between the edge surface guide rail element and the undersurface guide rail element for workpieces of different thicknesses.

Abstract: A guide rail mechanism used for, for instance, a die boding apparatus and a wire bonding apparatus, including a pair of guide rail sections that face each other and convey a workpiece such as a lead frame in between. The guide rail sections include rail height adjustment spacers held by spring force between guide rails and guide rail stands, and this rail height adjustment spacer is replaced for other rail height adjustment spacers of different thicknesses by moving guide rail raising-and-lowering shafts by way of overcoming the spring forces of the springs provided thereon, thus assuring the same upper surface height level of workpieces of different thicknesses to be conveyed.

Abstract: A machine including a single power source for asynchronously operating dual indexing conveyors. The single power source is a reversible servo unit operatively connected to gear sets and one-way clutches to drive the conveyors. Alternately, the power source is a uni-directional rotating driver with linkage means to reciprocally move a rack operatively connected to gear sets with one-way clutches or ratchets and pawls.

Abstract: A chip conveyor has an upwardly open housing defining a U-shaped trough for conveying metal chips from a machining operation. The housing includes a bottom and defines an upper edge. A reciprocatable plow ram is positioned in the housing for motivating the metal chips along the trough. An actuator is located in the housing for reciprocating the ram, the actuator including a cylinder and an extendable rod associated with the cylinder and connected to the ram by an upright bracket that helps position the cylinder and rod above the bottom of the trough. The cylinder is spaced above the bottom and located proximate the upper edge at a location where the cylinder is generally above the metal chips in the trough so that the cylinder does not encounter the metal chips or debris associated therewith, and so that maintenance on the cylinder is made easier. The cylinder and rod are connected to the housing and ram by pull pins for quick release to further facilitate maintenance.

Abstract: The present invention, in certain embodiments, is an apparatus for the movement of objects on rollers. The apparatus comprises a frame element, a series of rollers, a rotating pipe element suspended over the series of rollers, at least one push-arm assembly connected to the rotating pipe element, and a drive apparatus to actuate the rotating pipe element. The series of rollers are mounted in the frame element such that each roller in the series of rollers rotates within the frame element so that the objects resting on the series of rollers may travel from a first end of the series of rollers to a second terminal end of the series of rollers. The rotating pipe element is suspended over the series of rollers, and the rotating pipe element pivots along a longitudinal axis and is driven at one end. The drive apparatus actuates the rotating pipe element, thereby moving the at least one push-arm assembly to a position in contact with at least one of the objects to move along the series of rollers.

Abstract: An assembled part for being placed on a conveyor frame having a pair of guides along a direction of conveyance, being located between an upstream delivery member and a downstream positioning member and being conveyed and guided through the movement of them as one body, which includes a main body, a pair of guided portions facing the guides, a delivered portion facing the delivery member, a positioned portion facing the positioning member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for feeding solid fuels in a space limited by a plane bottom plate, side walls and a pusher device arranged adjacent the bottom surface. A drive is located outside the walls and is attached to the pusher in order to obtain a reciprocating movement of the pusher. The invention is characterized in that the pusher comprises a number of pusher rods arranged substantially parallel with each other and substantially parallel with the bottom surface.

Abstract: A stoker rod assembly employs a stoker rod having a longitudinally extending bore. A holddown device has a base which is mounted in the trough of the discharger floor, an engagement assembly which is inserted through a slot in the bottom wall of the stoker rod and a connecting part extending between the base and the engagement assembly. The slot comprises a first region having a width selected to allow the passage of the engagement assembly into or out of the bore. A second longitudinally extending region has a width selected to allow longitudinal movement of the connecting part. The width of the engagement assembly is greater than the width of the second region, wherein the engagement assembly is retained in the bore when the engagement assembly is positioned above the second region. Bearing wheels or bearing pads in the engagement assembly slidably engage the internal surface of the stoker rod to hold down the stoker rod as the rod oscillates longitudinally in the trough.

Abstract: Step conveyor comprising a primary stationary beam (1) and as secondary beam (2) being movable upwards and downwards as well as to and fro relative thereto. The secondary beam (2) is supported by restrictedly pivotable bow-shaped eccentrically journalled segments (3) resting on a stationary guideway (5). In each position the secondary beam (2) is positioned below the level of the primary beam (1). At its top the secondary beam (2) carries dogs (6) which in a nonoperative rest position are positioned below the level of the primary beam (1) and which in an operational position extend beyond the level of the primary beam (1) and can engage the objects (7) to be transported.

Abstract: A scraper assembly and method for clearing manure deposits from a manure collection board associated with an animal cage arrangement is provided. The scraper assembly includes a first scraper blade extending in a generally diagonal direction with respect to a length of the collection board, but only partially across a width of the collection board, in an area of maximum manure deposits. The scraper assembly further includes a second scraper blade extending in a substantially opposite generally diagonal direction with respect to the diagonal extension of the first scraper blade. The second scraper blade, however, extends substantially across the entire width of the collection board.

Abstract: A workpiece pallet locator is provided which is adapted to engage a workpiece pallet on a support surface in a non-intrusive manner. The pallet locator includes slots formed in the workpiece support surface and pawl members which are movable in a vertical direction to pass through the slots and into engagement with a pallet on the support surface. The pawl members are movable in X and Y directions for moving the pallet to different stations on the support surface. As a result of moving the pawl members upwardly into engagement with the pallet, the coupling point between the locator and the pallet is formed at a location below the support for the workpiece such that the coupling point does not interfere with positioning the workpiece on the pallet and support surface.

Abstract: Workpieces are transported step-by-step by means of transport bars which are provided with grippers and which are longitudinally and transversally displaceable only in cyclic relation to the reciprocating movement of a press. The transport bars have the configuration of hollow profiles which are rigid with respect to bending and torsional stresses, and their ends are rigidly constrained and guided by means of angle brackets and by means of longitudinal guidings and transversal guidings both of which are free of play. Thus, a particularly rigid and a relatively lightweight construction results which allows high working cadences.

Abstract: A bi-directional ratchet conveyor is shown including a carrier bar slideably mounted centrally of a frame and operated by a power cylinder. The carrier bar has a first plurality of gravity dogs pivotally secured along a first side thereof, and a second plurality of gravity dogs secured along a second side thereof oriented in an opposite direction from the first plurality of gravity dogs. Dog operating rods are slideably secured to each side of the carrier bar for independently operating the first and second plurality of dogs between active and neutral positions. Each dog operating rod is operated by a separate pneumatic cylinder. When the first plurality of dogs are maintained in an active position, the second plurality of dogs are maintained in a neutral position, thereby providing for movement of goods in one direction along the conveyor through repeated extension and retraction of the power cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying loose material includes a chute with static bottom shaped like a trough, adapted to accommodate the material to convey, and a series of conveyance members mounted to move back and forth on a movable frame. Each conveyance member includes at least two juxtaposed blades, extending up to a different depth inside the chute, and in that the depth up to which the superimposed blades extend inside the chute decreases from the front blade (facing the conveyance direction of the material) to the rear blade (opposite the conveyance direction of the material).

Abstract: A conveyor installation for loose material, especially blasting materials for sand-blasting installations, includes on the hall floor, respectively, blast chamber floor at least one longitudinal conveyor (1, 2, 3, 4) and at right angle thereto at its conveyor end in the same plane a cross-conveyor (5). These conveyors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) operate by the use of conveyor members (27, 28) which are suspended in a pneumatically driven reciprocating frame (19, 24, 33). The frames (19, 24, 33) include lateral girders (20, 21; 31, 32) which are connected by webs (22). The frames run on rollers (11 to 18, 34, 36) which project from boundary profiles (6, 7, 8, 9, 10). The latter delimit laterally the longitudinal conveyors (1, 2, 3, 4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring pasta nests or skeins from drying frames to packaging containers. In particular, it relates to an apparatus having three consecutive and horizontal translators, the first two having vertically moveable nails or cramps and the third having a moveable checking side suitable as a whole to move parallel rows of pasta nests or skeins from frames and thereby laying them in packaging containers.

Abstract: An on-board aircraft cargo handling system comprises a plurality of tines which are mounted within a cargo ramp and beneath its surface and are capable of extension aft of the ramp across a truck bed or the like. The tines have a plurality of rollers extending above their top surfaces for permitting easy movement of cargo across the tines. The ends of the tines are tapered to allow them to be pushed under the cargo to be moved. Pallet retainers, which consist of arm members which have finger-like projections on one end for allowing interengagement of the arm members with notches on the cargo, are mounted to the cargo ramp in such a way as to permit movement of the arms for aligning them with the cargo notches. Additionally, the cargo ramp surface includes pop-up chocks, which may be extended above the surface to lift the cargo, thus permitting forklift tines to be slid underneath.

Abstract: Fixed parallel cargo rails are positioned on the cargo bed floor of an aircraft, spaced sufficiently to fit a pallet snugly therebetween. A plurality of collinear slots arranged along the length of the cargo bed floor are positioned just inboard of each rail. The slots are evenly spaced and oriented lengthwise with respect to the cargo bed floor. A dog extends above the cargo bed floor from each slot and is adapted to engage a notch in the cargo. While engaged, the dog is adapted to move along its slot, thereby moving the pallet lengthwise along the cargo bed floor. The pallet is passed bucket brigade style from one dog to the next.Another aspect of the invention is the employment of movable cargo rails on the cargo ramp. The rails are slidable widthwise across the ramp within mounting slots, thus permitting the spacing between the rails to vary. The result is that loading cargo onto the ramp and aligning it with the fixed cargo rails on the cargo bed floor is made much easier.

Abstract: Apparatus for gathering particulate material in mines and similar plants has a mobile platform which collects particulate material and surrounds the trailing end of a material removing conveyor. The sides of the trailing end of the conveyor are flanked by plate-like carriers on each of which are fixed several beams serving to push gathered material toward and onto the conveyor in response to movement of the carriers toward the conveyor. The carriers are movable toward and away from the conveyor by motors which are installed beneath the platform, and the apparatus further employs stationary or reciprocable barriers, one behind each beam, which prevent the beams from pushing material away from the conveyor during return strokes of the carriers. Those ends of the beams and barriers which face in the direction of forward movement of the platform slope forwardly and downwardly to facilitate penetration beneath the accumulations of particulate material on the platform.

Abstract: In an automated machine tool assembly where a plurality of work stations are interconnected by slide rails on which pallets can slide, the pallets having workpieces affixed to them, with at least one transfer bar for engaging a pallet and sliding the pallet longitudinally along the slide rails, a hydraulic lift and monitoring system includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders in the transfer bar, a plunger in each cylinder, and a first source of pressurized fluid which urges each plunger upwardly against a pallet. The first source of pressurized fluid is adjustable so as to pre-set the pressure with which the plungers are urged upwardly. A second source of fluid under pressure is linked through the cylindrical chambers in series to a pressure-sensitive switch such that, if a plunger fails to rise to its uppermost position when not loaded with a pallet, the operator is given a signal from the switch that a malfunction exists.

Abstract: A reciprocating discharger for discharging solid materials from the underside of a pile, has at least one reciprocating stoker rod with a piston at one end connected to a piston rod reciprocating in a stationary cylinder which is mounted on a thrust member frame. The frame has a width greater than the length of a piston stroke, so that the piston rod does not extend outside the frame, thus the solid materials in the pile do not contact the piston rod. A hydraulic system is provided for the cylinder with a hydraulic oil reservoir, an integral power unit with an electric motor directly coupled to a variable flow, reversible piston type pump connected in a closed loop hydraulic circuit with the cylinder, and an automatic reverse arrangement to reverse flow of hydraulic oil to the cylinder after each stroke.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus which is designed to transfer workpieces at different pitches by a plurality of transfer bars. The apparatus has a horizontal guide provided on a frame which supports first and second transfer bars in such a manner that these transfer bars are movable axially in the horizontal direction, and at least one slider block is slidably guided in parallel to the transfer bars through the guide. This slider block is provided with a driving motor and further provided with a mechanism which is arranged to allow the slider block to slide along the guide by the rotational force derived from the motor. An arm which is pivoted by the rotational force from the motor is pivotally supported on the slider block. Further, a first and second transmission are provided for transmitting the movements of the slider block and the arm to the first and second transfer bars, respectively.

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 reciprocating discharger for discharging solid materials from the underside of a pile, has at least one reciprocating stoker rod with a piston arm at one end reciprocating in a stationary cylinder which is mounted on a thrust member frame. The frame has a width greater than the length of a piston stroke, so that the piston arm does not extend outside the frame, which answers that the solid materials in the pile do not contact the piston arm.

Abstract: There is disclosed article handling apparatus (10) which is primarily intended for transferring ammunition shells to and from a storage magazine in a mobile weapons system such as a tank or warship. The apparatus comprises a storage magazine having a storage rack on which the articles can be stored, and an indexing-type conveyor for traversing the articles along the storage rack. The conveyor moves through an indexing cycle in which it has a starting position in which it is engageable with a first batch of articles, causes one increment of traversing movement of the batch, releases itself from the engaged first batch, returns to the starting position and engages with a second batch of articles. A restrainer is provided, including a cam bar, which operates to locate any articles which may be present on the storage rack against up and down movement and also against traversing movement while the apparatus is in its storage mode.

Abstract: A transport unit for tablets transports the tablets fed from a filling unit through the use of a rake with at least one V-like fork on a horizontal guiding track to tablet testing stations, packaging units etc. The guiding track comprises on either side of the area swept by the point of the V-shaped fork openings through which may fall the tablets which are not at the point of the fork during the transport. The openings of the guiding track are connected by an inclined plane to a collector container.

Abstract: A discharger mechanism is provided for discharging solids from the bottom of a pile. The discharger comprises a reciprocating stoker rod of a substantially rectangular cross section and plastimeric bearing member engaging the bottom and sides of the rod for vertically supporting and horizontally guiding the rod. A reciprocating device reciprocates the rectangular stoker rod longitudinally beneath the pile. A plurality of stoker cross bars are equispaced apart and rigidly attached at their centers to the rectangular stoker rod. A further bearing member bears against the top of rod to prevent the rod from lifting.

Abstract: A discharger mechanism is provided for discharging solids from the bottom of a pile. The discharger comprises a reciprocating stoker rod having a series of stoker cross bars, affixed thereto, which is supported by bearings within a trough. An arrangement for holding down the rod and for sealing the trough comprises a pair of longitudinally extending metal strips attached to either side of the rod and a pair of seal strips or plates secured to the edges of the trough and extending therefrom into the trough to positions above and adjacent to the upper surfaces of the metal strips.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for an automatic transfer machine has a mechanical transfer drive including a motor driven gear box with an output shaft connected to a single, rotatable drive arm with cam follower means thereon selectively engageable with one or the other of a pair of spaced cam slots on a transfer buggy to define a linear geneva index for producing a harmonic motion, two stroke, transfer of the transfer buggy so as to produce improved start-stop-start-stop sequences of movement of pallets in a linear geneva operated transfer system.

Abstract: This invention relates to conveyor systems and more particularly to article handling or positioning mechanisms for serially conveying or transporting hot glass containers between two or more work stations and into precise locations on alignment. The systems utilize heat-resistant fingers or arms to provide spaced-apart modules for retaining the glass articles, the fingers or arms being readily replaceable and reversible in ready-releasing locking arrangement.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for moving materials unidirectionally has an elongated, upwardly facing trough with at least one longitudinally extending semicylindrical recess in the bottom thereof. A helical flight is positioned in each such recess and is rotated about its longitudinal axis so as to move said materials along said trough. At least one rigid, elongated push-bar is supported in the trough for reciprocal lengthwise movement longitudinally of the trough. Each push-bar has a plurality of longitudinally spaced barbs and/or plows mounted thereon and shaped to advance said materials unidirectionally where the push-bar is reciprocated. Material retaining elements may also be provided on the walls of the trough to oppose movement of the said material in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for erecting, filling and closing generally rectangular cartons which are supplied in an initially flattened condition. The packaging apparatus has a filling station, lateral carton guides for guiding cartons from a carton infeed station past the filling station to a delivery station. An elongated carrier member extends along the path and has rigid pusher fingers at spaced locations therealong extending crosswise of the path, and the carrier members are driven by spaced carrier drives each including four sprockets and a chain entrained around the sprockets and connected to the carrier members to move them in a generally rectangular closed loop course.

Abstract: An apparatus for palletizing or cubing layers of articles such as cartons includes a palletizer subassembly for stacking multiple layers of articles, a loading subassembly for moving a prepared layer of articles to the palletizer subassembly and an ejection subassembly for ejecting stacked layers of articles. The ejection subassembly includes an open frame selectively engaged by the loading subassembly for movement into the article palletizer subassembly. A pusher plate is slidably mounted for vertical movement on the open frame. The pusher plate is movable to a first position above a layer of articles on a preparation area so that a prepared layer of articles may be moved through the open frame and into the palletizer subassembly. The pusher plate is movable to a second position at which it will engage the stacked layer of articles when the open frame is shifted towards the palletizer subassembly by the loading subassembly.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for advancing articles step by step between work stations of a press. The mechanism includes a pair of bracket assemblies mounted on opposite sides of the press frame and provided with feed bar support assemblies including members supporting a pair of parallel feed bar-feed finger members for longitudinal and lateral reciprocation to achieve article transfer. The bracket assembly includes a first portion fixed on the press frame and a second portion which carries the corresponding feed bar support assembly and which is pivotal relative to the first bracket portion between use and non-use positions. The drive arrangement for the reciprocable feed bar support members includes portions pivotal with the second bracket portion. The feed bar-feed finger members are detachable, thus enabling the second bracket portions and corresponding portions of the drive arrangements to be pivoted to the non-use position to facilitate access to the press.

Abstract: An improved adjustable feeder finger assembly for a hay baler is disclosed. The improved assembly is comprised generally of three elements, i.e., a bracket for affixment to a driven element of the infeed mechanism, a feeder finger, and means to hold the two together. Frictional mating surfaces on the bracket and finger insure that the selected relative relationship between the two elements is maintained during operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling moulds or ingot moulds prior to and after casting or teeming, such as transfer between knocking-out stripping, preparing, forming and casting or teeming stations, the moulds or ingot moulds being brought together into a casting or teeming unit containing a plurality of moulds or ingot moulds, the casting or teeming unit being transferred between the various stations on a car. The casting or teeming units at the various stations are pushed off the car over onto a station or are pulled over onto the car from the station by means of pushing and pulling device which constitute part of the car.

Abstract: A reciprocating harpoon-type conveyor for transporting swarf-like material along a conveyor trough is provided with non-jamming barbs each of which comprises a multi-faced member secured to the inside surface of the upwardly extending walls of the conveyor trough. Each barb has an inwardly-slanted feed surface which increasingly projects into the conveyor trough in the downstream direction and a rearwardly slanted retaining surface which extends upwardly in the upstream direction and away from the bottom of the trough. An upstream edge portion and a downstream edge portion of each barb substantially merge with an upstanding wall of the conveyor trough. The feed surface is adapted for slidable passing of swarf-like material thereover as the material is moved forwardly in the conveyor. The slanted retaining surface is adapted for engaging and retaining a portion of the swarf-like material in place as the harpoon is retracted from a forward position to a rearward position during return stroke.