Abstract: In a walking floor conveyor, an arrangement of panels lined longitudinally in a side-by-side fashion are organized into at least two correlating groups of panels. At least two panels within each group. Each panel grouping is propelled and retracted in a reciprocating manner, each by a hydraulic cylinder. The panels comprising wheel receptacles underneath the panels and at least one wheel fitted within a wheel receptacle to allow for forward and backward movement along a wheel support beam. These reciprocating panels supported by a series of wheel support beams, interior support beams and side support beams. These side support beams are at their tallest in the back and shortest in the front to provide a slant allowing for a flow of cargo and liquid runoff captured within a plurality of panel drains located between the panels towards a frontally placed auger designed for the assistance of cargo discharge.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a pusher assembly, an electric motor, preferably a servo motor with a gear box, that drives a linear drive assembly. The devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the pusher assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

Abstract: A linear motion conveyor is described and which includes an elongated conveyor bed having a product transporting surface for supporting and transporting a product between the opposite first and second ends thereof, and a drive assembly oriented in force transmitting relation relative to the elongated conveyor bed, and where the elongated conveyor bed, when reciprocated by the drive assembly is operable to move product alternatively between the opposite ends of the product elongated conveyor bed in a first direction; a second direction; and which is further rendered operable to substantially stop the movement of the product located between the opposite ends of the elongated conveyor bed.

Abstract: A shaker conveyor assembly including a housing, a drive system supported by the housing and at least one transport tray supported by the housing and operatively connected to the drive system. The drive system includes an electric motor that produces a rotary output. A cam assembly is operatively connected in driven relationship to the rotary output of the electric motor so as to rotate therewith. A cam follower assembly is operatively connected to the transport tray and is responsive to the rotation of the cam assembly to produce repeated, reciprocating, linear motion and to transmit this motion to the transport tray so as to convey items therealong.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for imparting movement to one or more articles includes placing the one or more articles on a surface of a support member and imparting vibratory motion to the support member by vibrating actutators connected to the support member wherein the vibratory motion includes at least a rotational vibratory component about one or more axes out-of-alignment with the gravity vector to produce effective force fields on the surface.

Abstract: Scrap metal pieces are conveyed from a mechanical press by a shaker conveyor having horizontal and parallel spaced elongated trays supported for reciprocating movement by an elongated carriage positioned above a compact drive unit attached to and supported by the press. The drive unit includes an electric motor connected to rotate an elliptical input gear on an eccentric axis and in continuous mesh with an elliptical output gear eccentrically connected to an output shaft. A rocker arm and link assembly is eccentrically connected to the output shaft and oscillates a shaft connected to the carriage by one or more rocker arm and link assemblies for reciprocating the trays with rapid acceleration and rapid deceleration. The elliptical input and output gears are identical in size and have the same odd number of teeth, and in one embodiment, the drive unit is located between a set of rocker arm and link assemblies.

Abstract: An oscillating conveyor includes a support, a conveying element arranged to carry objects to be moved and supported by the support in order to be displaced between a first extreme position and a second extreme position, and a driving device to displace the conveying element. The driving device includes a crank mechanism, which includes a pendulum pin, which in relation to a rotational axis of the crank mechanism is mounted such that, when the crank rotates, at the pendulum pin an angle between the axis of rotation and a first pivot pin varies within an angular range being either obtuse or acute, resulting in the desired displacement of the conveying element at different speeds, the position of the pendulum pin in relation to the rotational axis being adjustable to vary the displacement speed of the conveyor element.

Abstract: Scrap metal pieces are conveyed from a mechanical press by a shaker conveyor having horizontal and parallel spaced elongated trays supported for reciprocating movement by an elongated carriage positioned above a compact drive unit attached to and supported by the press. The drive unit includes an electric motor connected to rotate an elliptical input gear on an eccentric axis and in continuous mesh with an elliptical output gear eccentrically connected to an output shaft. A rocker arm and link assembly is eccentrically connected to the output shaft and oscillates a shaft connected to the carriage by one or more rocker arm and link assemblies for reciprocating the trays with rapid acceleration and rapid deceleration. The elliptical input and output gears are identical in size and have the same odd number of teeth, and in one embodiment, the drive unit is located between a set of rocker arm and link assemblies.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor (10) includes a tray (12) laterally moveable in a forward direction at a first speed and in a backward direction at a second speed greater than the first speed, thereby moving goods along the tray. A plurality of legs (18, 20) support the tray during lateral movement, and a motor (30) powers a drive pulley (30). A driven pulley (36) is powered by the drive pulley, and a flexible member (34) interconnects the driven pulley and the drive pulley. At least the driven pulley has an eccentric pulley axis, thereby imparting lateral movement to the tray. A tension mechanism (38, 40) is provided to take up slack in the flexible member.

Abstract: Scrap metal pieces are conveyed from a mechanical press by a shaker conveyor having horizontal and parallel spaced elongated trays supported for reciprocating linear movement above a compact drive unit attached to and supported by the press. The drive unit includes an electric motor having a shaft connected to rotate an elliptical input gear on an eccentric axis and in continuous mesh with an elliptical output gear eccentrically connected to an output shaft. A rocker arm and link assembly is eccentrically connected to the output shaft and oscillates in response to rotation of the output shaft. The assembly is pivotally connected to a support carriage for the trays for reciprocating the trays with rapid acceleration and rapid deceleration at one end of the linear stroke of the carriage and trays. The elliptical input and output gears are identical in size and have the same odd number of teeth.

Abstract: Scrap metal pieces are conveyed from a mechanical press by a shaker conveyor having horizontal and parallel spaced elongated trays supported for reciprocating linear movement above a compact drive unit attached to and supported by the press. The drive unit includes an electric motor having a shaft connected to rotate an elliptical input gear on an eccentric axis and in continuous mesh with an elliptical output gear eccentrically connected to an output shaft. A rocker arm and link assembly is eccentrically connected to the output shaft and oscillates in response to rotation of the output shaft. The assembly is pivotally connected to a support carriage for the trays for reciprocating the trays with rapid acceleration and rapid deceleration at one end of the linear stroke of the carriage and trays. The elliptical input and output gears are identical in size and have the same odd number of teeth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: A shaker conveyor assembly for moving objects includes a conveying element adapted for movement in first and second directions in repeated rectilinear fashion so as to convey items placed on the conveying element in one of the directions. The assembly includes an electric drive assembly having an output, a control assembly, and at least one sensor adapted to sense movement of the output. The control assembly provides a first level of electrical power to the electric drive assembly during a first portion of reciprocal movement and a second level of power to the electric drive assembly during a second portion of reciprocal movement. In addition, the control assembly provides selective control over the duration of the first and second portions of the reciprocal movement thereby controlling the speed of each of the directions of reciprocal movement of the conveying element.

Abstract: A device for transporting parts (1) includes a transporting member (3) whereon the parts to be transported (2) are to be arranged. The transporting member (3) is mounted mobile relative to a frame (9) of the device for reciprocating movement, which occurs in a plane (P) in which the parts are transported. A driving device comprises at least a drive cam (4) co-operating with at least a roller that is displaced with the transporting member, so that the movement in the plane is a reciprocating translational movement generated by the rotation of the drive cam (4).

Abstract: A right angle conveyor has a first trough and a second trough to move product by reciprocating motion with the second trough at an angle to the first trough. Rocker arms and corresponding reactor springs joined to a chassis form the first and second troughs. The first trough has a motor upon the chassis, eccentric cam, and a linkage to induce reciprocating motion into the conveyor. To induce reciprocation, the first trough has a first bracket connected to a yoke upon a trunnion joined to the chassis, a yoke connected to a slave drive spring bracket, a slave spring connected to the slave drive spring bracket and to a second bracket, the slave spring connected to a second bracket beneath the second trough. The yoke has three pinned connections to permit rotation.

Abstract: An article carrying apparatus is capable of carrying an article efficiently and correctly. The article carrying apparatus for carrying an article, includes: a housing; an input shaft rotatably supported by the housing; an output section supported by the housing in such a manner that the output section can oscillate and reciprocate; an article carry section that oscillates and reciprocates integrally with the output section; a first cam mechanism that moves in conjunction with the input shaft and oscillates the output section, wherein the first cam mechanism includes a first cam having a cam face that maintains a contact state with the output section during reciprocation of the output section, and a contact position at which the output section and the cam face contact one another moves in the same direction as a reciprocating direction in which the output section reciprocates; and a second cam mechanism that moves in conjunction with the input shaft and reciprocates the output section.

Abstract: A shaker conveyor assembly including a housing, a drive system supported by the housing and at least one transport tray supported by the housing and operatively connected to the drive system. The drive system includes an electric motor that produces a rotary output. A cam assembly is operatively connected in driven relationship to the rotary output of the electric motor so as to rotate therewith. A cam follower assembly is operatively connected to the transport tray and is responsive to the rotation of the cam assembly to produce repeated, reciprocating, linear motion and to transmit this motion to the transport tray so as to convey items therealong.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an elliptical motion drive device for use in a step screen. The elliptical motion drive device comprises first and second eccentric wheels coupled to a single drive shaft to be eccentrically positioned to each other. Upon rotation of the drive shaft, the first and second eccentric wheels rotate and move along guide rails formed in different directions from each other to transversely and longitudinally rotate movable lattice plates connected to a movable frame of the step screen, thereby achieving elliptical motion of the movable lattice plates.

Abstract: Arrangement for moving a heavy load wherein the arrangement includes at least one actuating unit. The at least one actuating unit utilizes a support for supporting the heavy load. A plurality of jacks are coupled to the support. A first movable element is adapted to slide within a channel of the support. The first movable element is movable in reciprocating manner. A second movable element is adapted to slide within the channel of the support. The second movable element slidably engages the first movable element and is movable in reciprocating manner. An actuating system is used for controlling sliding movements of the first and second movable elements. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An article carrying apparatus for carrying, in a carrying direction, an article placed on a carry face of a carry section making use of a vibration, includes: the carry section provided with the carry face of which the carrying direction is linearly restricted; and a vibration applying mechanism that applies the vibration to the carry section. The vibration applying mechanism includes: a first cam mechanism for converting a motion that has been input from a predetermined drive source into a reciprocating linear motion in a first direction that has at least a component in the carrying direction, and for transmitting the reciprocating linear motion to the carry section; and a second cam mechanism for converting a motion that has been input from a predetermined drive source into a reciprocating linear motion in a second direction that has at least a component in a normal direction of the carry face, and for transmitting the reciprocating linear motion to the carry section.

Abstract: A differential motion conveyor (20) for conveying products along an elongated trough structure (22) supported for reciprocal movement relative to a counterweight base structure (24) of a weight significantly greater than the weight of the trough structure. A rotational actuator (200) moving in a singular direction reciprocates the trough structure lengthwise relative and counterweighed base structure at a substantially continually varying velocity of the actuator to achieve a desired differential acceleration rate of the trough structure between the two opposing directions of longitudinal movement of the trough structure.

Abstract: A vibration management system for a work machine may include at least one machine component configured to respond to input commands from an operator of the machine. One or more vibration sensors may be configured to output a signal indicative of a vibration level experienced by the operator. A controller may be configured to monitor the output signal from the one or more vibration sensors and determine an average vibration level experienced by the operator. The controller may also be configured to monitor the input commands from the operator and calculate a predicted response of the at least one machine component to at least one of the input commands. The controller may also be configured to determine a predicted vibration effect on the operator based on the predicted response and adjust an actual response of the at least one machine component to the at least one operator input command based on the predicted vibration effect and the average vibration level.

Abstract: An article carrying apparatus is capable of inhibiting a force that acts on the apparatus due to a vibration being applied to its carry section in order to carry an article. The article carrying apparatus includes: a carry section for linearly restricting a carrying direction of an article to be carried; a cam mechanism for applying a vibration to the carry section by transmitting, to the carry section, a reciprocating linear motion having at least a carrying direction component in the carrying direction, wherein the vibration causes the article to be carried in the carrying direction; an enclosure section for supporting the cam mechanism; and a balancer for inhibiting a force that acts on the enclosure section due to the cam mechanism applying the vibration to the carry section.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor having a conveyor motor which uses bellows to provide the driving force for the conveyor. The conveyor includes a housing within which is mounted the conveyor motor. The conveyor motor has a pair of bellows, a drive plate and a fluid control system. The drive plate is movably mounted between the bellows. The conveyor plate is mounted to the top end of the drive plate. The fluid control system includes a main control valve, a pair of limit switches, a pair of valves and a flow control valve. The fluid control system allows for inflation of one bellow at a greater rate than inflation of the other bellow.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor having a conveyor motor which uses bellows to provide the driving force for the conveyor. The conveyor includes a housing within which is mounted the conveyor motor. The conveyor motor has a pair of bellows, a drive plate and a fluid control system. The drive plate is movably mounted between the bellows. The conveyor plate is mounted to the top end of the drive plate. The fluid control system includes a main control valve, a pair of limit switches, a pair of valves and a flow control valve. The fluid control system allows for inflation of one bellow at a greater rate than inflation of the other bellow.

Abstract: A two-way vibratory conveyor includes at least one trough mounted on a base and a drive which reciprocally moves the trough(s). The conveyor, which in one embodiment has two interconnected troughs and in another embodiment has a single trough, includes a drive which uses a single motor. In the two-trough conveyor, the two troughs are driven in opposite directions. In the single-trough conveyor, the single motor is used to selectively drive the trough in one of two opposite directions. The troughs are mounted to a base using springs and stabilizer arms. The stabilizer arms, which are made of ductile iron, have been found to be withstand larger loads and have a longer useful life than currently available stabilizer arms.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor having a conveyor motor which uses bellows to provide the driving force for the conveyor. The conveyor includes a housing within which is mounted the conveyor motor. The conveyor motor has a pair of bellows, a drive plate and a fluid control system. The drive plate is movably mounted between the bellows. The conveyor plate is mounted to the top end of the drive plate. The fluid control system includes a main control valve, a pair of limit switches, a pair of valves and a flow control valve. The fluid control system allows for inflation of one bellow at a greater rate than inflation of the other bellow.

Abstract: There is provided an article conveyor device which may effectively convey an article by a cam drive. The article conveyor device comprises a reciprocating portion which reciprocates by being driven by a cam, and an article conveyor portion for conveying an article, having an inclination of a predetermined angle in respect to a reciprocating direction of the reciprocating portion in a vertical plane, and cooperating with the reciprocating portion; and conveys an article along the article conveyor portion by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating portion.

Abstract: A component carrying device has a simple constitution, and is capable of lining up components and carrying them in one direction with high reliability. The device comprises a guide groove for lining up components into one line and guiding them; a carrying member, provided on the bottom face of the guide groove, which can move forward and backward along the direction of the groove; and driving means, for driving the carrying member forward and backward at a higher speed when moving backward than when moving forward. The speed of the carrying member when moving forward is a speed at which a predetermined sustained frictional force acts between the carrying member and the components, which are mounted on the top face of the carrying member; and the speed of the carrying member when moving backward is a speed at which the frictional force between the carrying member and the components mounted on its top face, substantially breaks, so that the components are carried forward by the difference in frictional force.

Abstract: The driving mechanism has a drive shaft which rotates a driving block. A cam is mounted for rotation to the driving block and is received in a slot of a follower. As the cam rotates, it rolls backwards and forwards in the slot and causes the follower to rotate. A connecting rod is affixed to the follower and is rotated by it. The connecting rod rotates about an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis about which the drive shaft rotates. The rate of rotation of the drive shaft is unvarying whereas the connecting rod rotates at a varying rate. A crank is affixed to the connecting rod and imparts reciprocating motion to the tray. A link can be substituted for the cam.

Abstract: The article conveyor employs two cams of different configuration. One cam imparts oscillatory motion to an output shaft; whereas the other cam imparts a reciprocating motion. The article conveyor moves in a conveying direction from a first position to a second position and back to the first position. Motion is such that the time taken to move from the first position to the second position is longer than the time taken to move from the second position back to the first position.

Abstract: There is provided an effective article conveyor device having a first cam, and a second cam different to the first cam. An article conveyor device comprises an input shaft movably supported in respect to a housing, an output shaft movably supported in respect to the housing, a first cam to make the output shaft oscillate by cooperating with the input shaft, a second cam different to the first cam, to make the output shaft perform a reciprocating motion by cooperating with the input shaft, and an article conveyor portion which oscillates and performs reciprocating motion together with the output shaft.

Abstract: An elliptic motion driving apparatus for a step screen in which the elliptic motion of an elliptic motion driving unit is transferred to a driven link so as to make steep movable plates, connected by a movable column, perform elliptical movement in a longitudinal direction of the movable column, includes a driving rotation cam combined to a power transmission shaft rotating in linkage with a worm reduction gear of a driving motor, a horizontal motion eccentric shaft axially combined to the driving rotation cam so that a horizontal eccentric bearing of the horizontal motion eccentric shaft moves horizontally along a horizontal motion guiding rail, and a vertical motion eccentric shaft combined to the horizontal motion eccentric shaft through an eccentric rotation cam so that a vertical eccentric bearing of the vertical motion eccentric shaft moves vertically along a vertical motion guiding rail as the horizontal motion eccentric shaft rotates.

Abstract: The driving mechanism has a drive shaft which rotates a driving block. A cam is mounted for rotation to the driving block and is received in a slot of a follower. As the cam rotates, it rolls backwards and forwards in the slot and causes the follower to rotate. A connecting rod is affixed to the follower and is rotated by it. The connecting rod rotates about an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis about which the drive shaft rotates. The rate of rotation of the drive shaft is unvarying whereas the connecting rod rotates at a varying rate. A crank is affixed to the connecting rod and imparts reciprocating motion to the tray. A link can be substituted for the cam.

Abstract: A differential impulse conveyor 10, 80, 90, 100 includes a tray 12 which is driven in a forward direction at a slow speed and a backward direction at a higher speed to slide goods with respect to the tray and thereby move goods along the tray. The drive motor 26, 27 powers the tray in the forward and backward directions through a drive shaft 40 and a tray crank 66, 106 interconnecting the drive shaft and the tray. Controller 84 is provided for varying the rotational speed of the motor shaft, thereby avoiding mechanical knock in the drive system. In another embodiment, a pair of counterweights 52, 62 are provided on opposing sides of the drive shaft 40, with respective counterweight cranks 46, 56 initiating forward movement of each counterweight at a preselected offset angular position with respect to forward movement of the tray.

Abstract: A component carrying device has a simple constitution, and is capable of lining up components and carrying them in one direction with high reliability. The device comprises a guide groove for lining up components into one line and guiding them; a carrying member, provided on the bottom face of the guide groove, which can move forward and backward along the direction of the groove; and driving means, for driving the carrying member forward and backward at a higher speed when moving backward than when moving forward. The speed of the carrying member when moving forward is a speed at which a predetermined sustained frictional force acts between the carrying member and the components, which are mounted on the top face of the carrying member; and the speed of the carrying member when moving backward is a speed at which the frictional force between the carrying member and the components mounted on its top face, substantially breaks, so that the components are carried forward by the difference in frictional force.

Abstract: A vibrating conveyor has a conveying plate (6) which carries objects to be conveyed. The conveying plate (6) is movable back and forth between a first and a second end position by a cam wheel (7) and a pressure spring (8). The cam wheel (7) has on its periphery at least one cam (18) with a cam surface (19) which has a distance to the center of the cam wheel (7) that increases continuously in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the cam wheel (7), and which is terminated abruptly with a substantially radially directed cam surface portion. The pressure spring (8) is arranged to be contracted during the displacement of the conveying plate (6) to the first end position, and then displaces the conveying element to the second end position.

Abstract: A conveyor for materials uses a gearset to generate horizontal differential conveying motion in a conveying member. The conveying motion includes an advancing stroke in a conveying direction and a retracting stroke in a direction opposite to the conveying direction. The linear velocity of the retracting stroke is greater than the linear velocity of the advancing stroke to move materials along the conveying member in the conveying direction. The gearset is preferably a ring gear and a pinion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical vibrating drive system for supplying a consistent, elliptical driving force to a conveyor trough. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vibrating conveyor has three parallel shafts, the intermediate shaft being located at the center of gravity for the vibrating conveyor, and the shafts are driven such that the outer shafts rotate in one direction while the intermediate shaft rotates in the opposite direction from the outer shafts. Each of the shafts bears essentially equal weight. The net result is a force output from the drive module that produces a uniform elliptical vibratory motion throughout the length of the conveyor trough. By reversing the motor, a symmetric elliptical motion for moving product in the opposite direction is generated without any further adjustments to the weights or shafts.

Abstract: A part transfer apparatus includes a guide groove for aligning and guiding parts, a blade placed at the bottom of the guide groove so as to move forward and backward in the direction of the groove, and a driving device for reciprocally driving the blade so that the speed of backward movement of the blade is higher than the speed of forward movement. The part transfer apparatus conveys the parts forward by using the difference in frictional force. The driving device includes a cam, and a cam lever having a cam follower in contact with the peripheral surface of the cam. The rear end of the blade is in contact with the front side of the cam lever. Since the rotational motion of the cam is converted into the pivotal motion of the cam lever, and further into the reciprocating motion of the blade, vertical force hardly acts on the blade, and vertical vibration of the blade is inhibited.