Abstract: A conveyor is provided that is capable of preventing degradation in quality of an article being conveyed. The conveyor includes a conveyor belt; and a rolling element rotatably provided at a surface of the conveyor belt. A plurality of rolling elements are provided along a conveying direction. The conveyor further includes a holder provided at the surface of the conveyor belt, for rotatably holding the corresponding rolling element. The rolling element has a ball shape.

Abstract: A switch conveyor including a modular conveyor belt or mat divided into longitudinal lanes of rollers. All the rollers in a lane are arranged to rotate about axes oriented in a common direction. The rollers in an adjacent lane are arranged to rotate about axes oriented in a different direction. A switch mechanism underlying the conveyor belt along a carryway selectably contacts the bottom side of the belt or mat with bearing surfaces that rotate the rollers in selected lanes along the carryway to propel conveyed articles in one direction or another.

Abstract: A conveyor is disclosed having a mechanism for driving an endless chain, which is used for driving and optionally also for supporting the article-supporting parts of the conveyor. The mechanism comprises a drive belt that engages and drives on a number of wheels on the chain. By driving on the periphery of the rotating wheels instead of directly on the chain itself, the force between the drive belt and the point of engagement with the chain is halved whereby the construction may be made substantially lighter.

Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.

Abstract: An endless conveyor for conveying substantially rotationally-symmetrical products, comprising at least one endless conveying element and a number of transverse elements extending substantially perpendicularly to a conveying direction. At least one hourglass-shaped roller is mounted on each transverse element. The mutual distance between the successive transverse elements in a first path part is smaller than in a second path part. A first control device is provided for effecting an increase of distance between the transverse elements at a first transition from the first to the second path part. A second control device is provided for effecting a decrease of distance between the transverse elements at a second transition from the second to the first path part. A rotationally-symmetrical support element is movable, in a portion of the second path, between each pair of successive hourglass-shaped rollers for supporting the products to be conveyed.

Abstract: A transporting installation (10, 110) comprises at least one conveyor belt (11, 111) on which are mounted at intervals carriages (12, 112) each equipped above with a horizontal roller (13, 113) for support of transport members (14) and side guide wheels (19, 119) running inside parallel opposing and facing C rails (20, 120). For support of roller and wheels the carriage has a U bracket (15, 115) fastened on the belt and with seats opening upward on the U arms for support of a support pin in a zone at the sides of the roller. The ends of the pin project on the two sides of the bracket (15, 115) to each support one of said guide wheels with there being between the wheels and the bracket spacers (22, 122) removable transversally to the pin to free a space for axial running of the guide wheels towards the center of the carriage. In this manner the wheels can be shifted in the direction of withdrawing them from the C guide rails upon removal of the spacers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device conveying products, in particular fruits, for feeding a unit sorting said products, comprising a conveyor including a plurality of rollers (5) consisting or two parallel disks (9, 10) having the same diameter, borne by a transverse shaft (8) mounted freely rotating about an axis of rotation (7). Said conveyor further comprises two fixed lateral rails (11, 12) symmetrically arranged on either side of the disks (9, 10), and sloping towards said disks at an angle (&agr;) relative to a plane (P) passing through the axis of rotation (7) of the rollers (5), said sliding rails being each arranged so as to present a lower edge (11a, 12a) extending in the proximity of the neighbouring disk (9, 10) and of each roller (5) transverse shaft (8).

Abstract: A chain link conveyor belt carries lateral slats extending from the chain links, upon which are formed integral ribbed finger load carrying platform structure that interdigitates and overlaps their ribbed fingers with leading and trailing chain links in a conveyor belt. Wider belts are feasible when a parallel pair of spaced chains support the lateral slats extending horizontally from the chain links to the belt edges. The chain links are Y-shaped with elongated pivot rod slots in the leg to permit flexibility for laterally pivoting the belt around curved paths. Specially shaped structure on the slats near the belt edges supports long finger tip ribs of adjacent slats, thereby to strengthen the edge portions of the belt. The outermost fingers are reinforced to slide on guide rails. The trailing ribbed fingers diverge inwardly from the belt edges to avoid interference and fracture.

Abstract: A low backline pressure conveyor belt and modules therefor characterized by modules having thin upstanding supports supporting a transverse axle on which article-conveying rollers are rotatably mounted in a closely-spaced relationship.

Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.

Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.

Abstract: A belt conveyor whose article-conveying characteristics can be changed as the belt is running. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of movable assemblies supporting an article-supporting element and an adjustable element. The adjustable element coacts with an adjustment control element supported in the conveyor frame as the belt is running. The coaction causes the adjustable element to move the article-supporting element to provide a different article-conveying characteristic to articles supported at the conveying surface of the belt in zones defined by the adjustment control elements.

Abstract: A system is provided, in which the drive chain has features that permit control of the threshold driving force that will be reached before the chain's carrier rollers begin to rotate to permit accumulation or slip. The threshold driving force is controlled by friction members which are located between split portions of the carrier rollers and by the angle of the outer surface of the carrier rollers as well as by the amount of force provided by a biasing member. The threshold force depends upon the angle and the amount of biasing force.

Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.

Abstract: An accumulation conveyor system for transporting piece goods along a predetermined path is disclosed. The system comprises a passively transporting element and an actively transporting element. The passively transporting element comprises a series of idle rollers arranged substantially in parallel with each other and form an elongated and substantially continuous and substantially equiplanar path for supporting the goods. An endless conveyor belt is provided for circulating around at least two guide rolls and forms an upper train for motion in a first direction and a lower train for motion in a second direction opposite to said first direction. The passively transporting element and the actively transporting element cooperate to convey the goods along a predetermined path and provides for smooth accumulation of the goods when movement of the goods closest to the delivery end is arrested.

Abstract: A treadmill (1) having a track assembly that allows a user (3) to walk or run in any arbitrary direction. A movable user support has a plurality of rotatable members that rotate about axes normal to the direction of movement of the user support (2). Separate power drive mechanism (7) (8) concurrently move the user support (2) and rotate the members to omni-directional user movement. A control (4) for the power driven mechanism (7) (8) is responsive to the directional orientation of the user on the user support (2) to cause the user support (2) to operate in the direction of the orientation of the user (3).

Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt constructed of a series of rows of belt modules having hinge elements at opposite ends of each row. The hinge elements of each row are interleaved with the hinge elements of an adjacent row and interlinked by hinge pins to form an endless conveyor belt. Each of the belt modules includes a body section extending between opposite ends of each row in the direction of belt travel. Cavities formed in at least some of the modules open onto an upper conveying surface of the belt. Rollers residing in the cavities protrude onto the upper conveying surface to engage conveyed articles in rolling, low-friction contact. The rollers may be cylindrical rollers that rotate about axles, spherical balls that rotate in all directions, or caster-like roller assemblies.

Abstract: There is provided a device for individually conveying and rotating pieces within individual cavities for each piece. The device includes a continuous conveyor equipped with a repetitive series of axially mounted brushes matingly cavitatied so as to receive the individual pieces. Rotation of the conveying brushes is effectuated by a mobile or stationary aprons which causes the brushes to rotate. Numerous materials (e.g. labels, etc.) and treating agents (e.g. cleaning, rinsing, waxing, polishing agents, etc.) may be applied to the rotating pieces which permits many diverse processing steps to be conducted upon the conveying and rotating pieces.

Abstract: A conveyor chain having a hollow roller housing (15), an annular series of cylindrical rollers (14A and 14B) therein providing rotation of the hollow roller on an internal bushing (13). Alternate cylindrical rollers (14A) have a pair of cylindrical roller separating retaining rings (17) rotatably fitted over both ends. Intermediate cylindrical rollers (14B) have no cylindrical roller separating retaining rings (17). The retaining rings (17) on the alternate rollers (14A) engage the intermediate cylindrical rollers (14B). The cylindrical bearing surfaces (13A, 15A) are sandwiched between the retaining rings at each end of the rollers (14A) and project toward the outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical rollers (14A and 14B). The roller (15) and the bushing (13) have recessed surfaces (15A and 13A) which are spaced from the outer and inner circumferential surfaces of the retaining rings (17).

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided, in which the drive chain which drives products along the conveyor has features that permit control of the threshold driving force that will be reached before the chain's carrier rollers begin to rotate to permit accumulation of product on the conveyor. The threshold driving force is controlled by friction members which are located between split portions of the carrier rollers and by the angle of the outer surface of the carrier rollers. The steeper the angle, the greater the threshold force.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for straightening a stack (P) of sheet material that has been deformed after conveyance on a roller conveyor (4), the rollers of which are mounted around parallel axes of rotation (5) extending transverse to the direction of conveyance of the stack (P), consists of putting the stack (P) in engagement with a stop surface (32) and driving the axes (5) of the rollers on which the stack (P) rests in a movement of translation in the direction of conveyance of the stack (P), allowing the rollers to rotate freely around their respective axes of rotation (5).

Abstract: In a sortation conveyor system, a main conveyor is provided with an improved transport surface that permits the substantially frictionless movement of articles in a transverse direction relative to the forward motion of the conveyor. The transport surface includes a plurality of twin slats alternating with transverse roller assemblies which support a plurality of anti-friction rollers. Both the slats and the roller assemblies are carried by side chains. The anti-friction rollers are mounted such that the upper radial surface of each extends above the twin slats for supporting the articles being conveyed. Diverters held captive on the slats slide across the surface and direct articles in a transverse direction while supported on the anti-friction rollers, this permitting substantially frictionless movement of articles to a lateral takeaway conveyor.

Abstract: A link in a chain for conveying--in an unusually reliable manner--products such as containers, packets and the like in a given direction, comprises a link body with opposite side edges, a pin which is inserted through the link body and has head and tail ends supported in the side edges, and a plurality of rollers mounted so that they can rotate idly on the pin between the side edges, the head end of the pin being inserted in the corresponding side edge by means of a snap action.

Abstract: A conveyor track for pallets, in particular for pallets which transport workpieces, comprises a primary conveyor track (2) and a secondary conveyor track (21). A pallet (1.0) is driven along the primary conveyor track (2) by firs drive means and along the secondary conveyor track by second drive means. The transfer operation between the two drive means is carried out by the second drive means automatically lifting the pallet (10) from the first drive means and transporting it on.

Abstract: A device for feeding flat, flexible products from the bottom of a stack. The stack is supported by rollers arranged like spokes in a wheel that is continuously rotating. Feeding occurs when a vacuum cup pulls the leading edge of a product between subsequent rollers. A rotary conveyor following feeding employing rollers with irregular surfaces is incorporated to insert the products into a series of pockets passing beneath.

Abstract: A conveyor of product units has mounting brackets extending laterally from endless chains. The mounting brackets rotatably mount two spools having axes parallel to the conveying path. The mounting brackets are displaced longitudinally one from another. Consequently, a central elongate cavity is defined along the conveying path between laterally adjacent spools. Further, lateral concavities are presented between rollers on individual spools and between rollers on separate spools. Pivotally mounted off-loading elements can be articulated to lift product units positioned on the conveying system for off-loading laterally from the conveyor. A laterally articulated actuator is located below the principal conveyor. The actuator includes laterally slidable slats which frictionally engage the overlying rollers associated with each mounting bracket. Guides are then arranged to move the slats laterally with motion of the conveyor. With lateral motion of the slats, the rollers are caused to rotate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an object sorting and conveying apparatus used in the work for sorting and conveying objects, wherein multiple rotary support elements for mounting objects are disposed at the side of a conveying belt stretched in a conveying route orthogonally in the feed direction, the rotary support elements are rotated at the object inspection position for inverting and rotating the objects, the rotary support elements are designed to turn between a mounting position for mounting on the upper part and a tilting position for discharging objects, about the conveying belt side, and the objects can be inspected accurately by inverting and rotating the objects, and the position control and discharge of objects are also easy.

Abstract: Fruit or other objects placed on the conveyor and spun by the conveyor are properly oriented on the conveyor by the method and apparatus of the invention by ejecting one or more adjacent touching objects or ejecting objects which form stacked triplets. An optical sensor determines wherein there is or is not a gap between objects and relates that gap detection to the position of the objects on the conveyor. Detection of a continuous signal through a controller circuit causes a downstream solenoid to be energized according to predetermined timing. The solenoid in turn, when energized, rotates a finger which is coupled to, carried with the conveyor system and situated underneath the pocket between adjacent spools. The finger rotates upwardly and ejects the objects sitting in the pocket, thereby removing the misplaced or touching objects on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A fruit or other produce orienting device, particularly suited for orienting apples, orients a piece of fruit with its stem axis horizontal so that it can undergo quality inspections. The device employs a cylindrical drive roller which engages the fruit on one side, and causes it to rotate, and a pair of freely rotating orienting rollers which engage the fruit across from the drive roller, and cause the fruit to achieve the desired orientation as it rotates. The first orienting roller is cone shaped with a tapered flat or concave surface so that it will steer the fruit toward the second, opposing roller, which has a thin disk shaped portion with a front surface that engages the fruit. The front surface of the disk shaped portion tends to align itself with the flat edge of the fruit at its stem or calyx end, and this causes the rotating fruit to be oriented quickly with its stem axis parallel to the roller axes, and then maintains the fruit in the correct orientation once it is achieved.

Abstract: A high tension roller chain has sidebars which are contoured so that the sprocket can drive on both the roller and the sidebar or only on the sidebar, thereby permitting long stretches of chain to be driven by a single drive without damaging the rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor frame supports a chain which rides on small rollers, with a large roller projecting upwardly from the frame. The frame includes rails on which the small rollers roll. The rails are retained in the frame by spring pins, which fit into slots in the frame. The rails can be inserted into the frame from the top and can readily be installed and replaced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for applying a label onto a substantially cylindrical article by using a bottom feed conveyor unit. The label drum defines an article wrapping position at a lower portion of the label drum. A thin layer, heat activated adhesive backed label is fed onto the surface of the drum so that the adhesive back faces outward from the drum. The label drum is rotated to move the label retained thereon into the article wrapping position. As the label is moved, the adhesive is heated so that the adhesive obtains a sufficient temperature to melt. A cylindrical article is conveyed substantially horizontally along a conveyor into the article wrapping position and into rotative engagement with the label retained on the label drum so as to transfer the label onto the cylindrical article by wrap-around labeling.

Abstract: Fruit or other objects placed on the conveyor and spun by the conveyor are properly oriented on the conveyor by the method and apparatus of the invention by ejecting one or more adjacent touching objects or ejecting objects which form stacked triplets. An optical sensor determines when there is or is not a gap between objects and relates that gap detection to the position of the objects on the conveyor. Detection of a continuous signal through a controller circuit causes a downstream solenoid to be energized according to predetermined timing. The solenoid in turn, when energized, rotates a finger which is coupled to, carried with the conveyor system and situated underneath the pocket between adjacent spools. The finger rotates upwardly and ejects the objects sitting in the pocket, thereby removing the misplaced or touching objects on the conveyor belt.

Abstract: An improved egg washing, breaking and separating system is constructed of two side-by-side washers feeding a corresponding pair of candlers. From the candlers, a respective pair of conveyor transition ramps lead to corresponding ones of a pair of stacked upper and lower egg breaker/separator units. Each egg breaker/separator unit includes an endless chain of a plurality of individual egg cracker/separator cup assemblies with the upper chain independently driven about a four sided frame, preferably in opposition to the lower chain. Eggs are shuttled into the cup assemblies from each of the conveyor transition ramps. The chains of cracker/separator cup assemblies ride via slides operating within tracks extending about the frame. Each washer allows rows of eggs to advance along an egg conveyor which travels beneath a plurality of endless chains of brushes as well as a cleaning water distribution manifold.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting objects or articles of produce according to preselected visually ascertainable criteria. Each object is singulated and transported between adjacent pairs of plural rollers attached to a conveyor chain so as to be freely rotatable on an axis oriented normal to the conveying path. A rotation control surface along the conveying path causes rotation in the rollers and in the object supported therebetween, increasing the surface of the object accessible for optical scanning. Information obtained during scanning is utilized to unload the objects. Pivotally mounted between each pair of rollers below the object transported therebetween is an elongated discharge plate. Each object is unloaded at an appropriate discharge location by pivoting upwardly the discharge plate therebelow. Pivoting of the discharge plate is caused by the activation of a diverter arm at the discharge location.

Abstract: A monorail conveyor system is provided with a plurality of spool links which are rotatably interconnected with each other and are comprised of integrally molded plastic pieces. The spool links slide along a single rail which defines the conveyor track. One spool link rotatably engages the adjacent spool link to comprise a bearing connection between them. The bearing is an extended surface which is engaged by a driving wheel, such as a sprocket wheel, so that the plurality of spool links are directly engaged and driven along the single rail of the conveyor track without the use of any additional drive chain. Between each adjacent pair of spools is a cradle for carrying a citrus fruit or other object in the nest defined between the spools. The cradle is activatable in two modes, either as an object ejector or as an object lifter.

Abstract: A treadmill having a track assembly that allows a user to walk or run in any arbitrary direction. A movable user support has a plurality of rotatable members that rotate about axes normal to the direction of movement of the user support. Separate power driven mechanisms concurrently move the user support and rotate the members to omni-directional user movement.A control for the power driven mechanisms is responsive to the directional orientation of the user on the user support to cause the user support to operate in the direction of the orientation of the user.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized by an apparatus for carrying extra-thin printed boards, etc., wherein a plurality of rotation axles are oriented in a direction perpendicular to a carrier direction in which the printed boards are to be carried, a plurality of disks are fixed to each of the rotation axles at suitable intervals, each disk having opposed side faces having rims, the disks on adjacent axles in a carrier direction partially overlapping one another in the direction in which the printed boards are to be carried and being free from interference with each other. A plurality of supporting shafts are provided at the rims of right and left side faces of each disk, the supporting shafts on disks on axles which are adjacent to one another overlap one another by a fixed length but not interfering with one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting objects or articles of produce according to preselected visually ascertainable criteria. Each object is singulated and transported between adjacent pairs of plural rollers attached to a conveyor chain so as to be freely rotatable on an axis oriented normal to the conveying path. A rotation control surface along the conveying path causes rotation in the rollers and in the object supported therebetween, increasing the surface of the object accessible for optical scanning. Information obtained during scanning is utilized to unload the objects. Pivotally mounted between each pair of rollers below the object transported therebetween is an elongated discharge plate. Each object is unloaded at an appropriate discharge location by pivoting upwardly the discharge plate therebelow. Pivoting of the discharge plate is caused by the activation of a diverter arm at the discharge location.

Abstract: A conveying system (10) for the classification and sorting of foodstuffs comprising a conveyor (11) comprising at least one endless chain (15) driven by spaced apart drive sprockets (12 and 13), a plurality of chain clips (40) moulded in plastics and clipped to the links (20) of the chain, each chain clip (40) pivotally supporting a least one elongate conveyor finger (60), a conveying surface forming part of the conveyor finger to locate the foodstuff, each elongate conveyor finger having a downwardly extending leg (65) having a latch that cooperatively engages with a projection of the chain link, the conveying system including a series of discharge zones positioned along the conveyor with an ejection means position adjacent to each discharge zone.

Abstract: A conveyor chain carries products at a speed which is higher than the speed at which the chain moves and provides a low backline pressure when it accumulates products. The product-carrying roller is driven by two side rollers which run on rails on the conveyor frame.

Abstract: An improved egg washing, breaking and separating system is constructed of two side-by-side washers feeding a corresponding pair of candlers. From the candlers, a respective pair of conveyor transition ramps lead to corresponding ones of a pair of stacked upper and lower egg breaker/separator units. Each egg breaker/separator unit includes an endless chain of a plurality of individual egg cracker/separator cup assemblies with the upper chain independently driven about a four sided frame in a direction opposite to the lower chain. Eggs are shuttled into the cup assemblies from each of the conveyor transition ramps. The chains of cracker/separator cup assemblies ride via slides operating within tracks extending about the frame. Each washer allows rows of eggs to advance along an egg conveyor which travels beneath a plurality of endless chains of brushes as well as a cleaning water distribution manifold.

Abstract: A transport chain for transporting articles along a guideway includes a plurality of interconnected chain parts. The chain parts are provided with a roll body that allows the transport chain to roll along the guideway. The roll body projects through the underside of the respective chain part to rest upon the guideway. The transport chain can also be provided with accumulating rollers that allow the transport chain to continue moving below the transported articles if the articles should reach a temporary standstill.

Abstract: A conveyor chain having a large diameter load-carrying roller and a small diameter running roller coaxially mounted on a connecting pin which alternately connects an inner link plate with an outer link plate, a cover mounted on said link plate of a configuration to cover a gap between adjacent load-carrying rollers and a gap between adjacent running rollers preventing entrance of foreign matter. Included are chain covers covering sideways the inner and outer link plates and travelling rollers of the conveyor chain, and gap covers for preventing entrance of foreign substances which covers the gap between adjacent loading rollers and also covers the gap between adjacent travelling rollers. The gap covers have a projection portion in a position between adjacent loading rollers having a surface which is lower than an outside diameter of the loading rollers and higher than lower surfaces of the chain covers.

Abstract: A low backline pressure conveyor chain including spaced apart strands of chain interconnected by a plurality of rods each supporting a plurality of freely rotatably rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor frame includes removable rails for supporting a roller chain.

Abstract: A conveyor using roller chain to carry products has a clip for closing the gaps between rollers.

Abstract: A belt includes a plurality of rows of endless chains and can body conveying sections each defined between adjacent ones of the chains. Each of the endless chains are formed includes a plurality of U-shaped unit members each having a bottom fitted in an open end portion of a preceding one in the row, the engaged portions of the preceding and succeeding unit members being connected together by a plurality of rotatable connecting rods common to the chains. Intermediate rods having a length a little greater than the can body diameter are each provided between adjacent ones of the rods of the chains and also being opposed unit members of adjacent chains. The intermediate rods are disposed at a common elevation as the connecting rods beneath the top of the chains. Thus, the conveyer belt can convey can bodies in a plurality of rows in which the can bodies will not touch each other at the open ends of these can bodies.

Abstract: An endless conveyor comprises a sequence of link elements (10) connected to each other in an articulated manner, each of them supporting a plurality of idler rollers (14) disposed on parallel pivot pins (15) for defining a transporting surface at the upper part thereof. Each link element (10) is provided with faced side shoulders (18) having housings (19) designed to receive the pivot pin (15) ends. Shoulders (18) are engaged to the link element (10) by snap coupling means (24).

Abstract: A device for the automatic and rapid inspection of ears of corn to select ears having a predetermined length wherein the kernels meet selection standards and the ear has uniform characteristics which length will be trimmed from the ear to provide cut lengths of corn for subsequent treatment. The device includes a first conveyor and inspection area for segregating ears as to conditions of acceptability and determination of quality for ultimate use including trimming of certain of the ears into predetermined lengths with a second transport station arranged to receive the ears and to sort them for subsequent use and to convey the ears of predetermined quality to a trimming device wherein the ear of corn is cut into at least one acceptable length.