Abstract: A conveyor chain and conveyors using such chain in which a plurality of elongate links are joined together with a plurality of pins and a plurality of spacers. Each pin penetrates terminal end portions of two pairs of links for chaining the links into first and second spaced apart side length portions and the links and pins cooperate for transmitting tensile stress imposed on the chain. Each of the plurality of spacers is penetrated by at least one pin and has a carrier portion projecting laterally from the chain for engaging an object to be moved with the chain. As used in certain specific conveyors, the conveyor chain includes clips for receiving and gripping rod-like axles and grippers for partially encircling a pair of objects to be moved with the chain, all as described more fully hereinafter.

Abstract: Conveyor apparatus includes a main roller conveyor including a plurality of linked, independently rotatable rollers; and a roller accelerator system including an accelerator drive disposed proximate the roller conveyor; and actuator means for moving the accelerator drive into driving contact with the rollers of the main conveyor to vary the peripheral speed of the surface of the rollers relative to the speed of the main conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor comprises a plurality of interconnected cradles and a rotatable member mounted in each cradle. The rotatable members extend above the respective cradle for rolling contact with an object placed on the conveyor to allow the objects to move relative to the conveyor.

Abstract: A visual inspection apparatus wherein a plurality of rollers conveying articles to be inspected are driven linearly at one rate of speed and the rollers are rotated at a pre-selected rate of rotation, infinitely variable at an inspection station, by frictional contact with a loop moving at a controlled rate of speed.

Abstract: A modular compartmentalized conveyor belt system including a plurality of spaced roller bearing pins; a plurality of rollers mounted on the pins; first and second spaced sets of raised link members, each set arranged in first and second rows for coupling adjacent pairs of pins, the link members in each row disposed in close overlapping relationship with those in the other row, each of the link members including two horizontally spaced holes for receiving adjacent pins and at least one hole vertically spaced from the horizontally spaced holes for receiving a flight pin; each of the links in each of the rows meeting with adjacent link members in its row approximately midway of the link member in the other row, and each of the link members having at each edge a flight pin recess which cooperates with that of an adjacent link member in the same row for accommodating a flight pin received in a vertical spaced hole in a link member of the other row.

Abstract: Article transfer mechanism for changing the direction of movement of articles while maintaining the orientation of the articles, including an infeed conveyor conveying articles in a first direction while in a predetermined orientation, a transfer conveyor having a continuous belt with a plurality of groups of rollers thereon with windows therebetween receiving articles from the infeed conveyor, a plate disposed below the lower reach of the transfer conveyor and closing at least one of the windows to provide a container for an article deposited thereon, structure for rotating the groups of rollers to cause the rollers to move an article deposited thereon into the adjacent window, an article conveyor having a plurality of pockets open at the top for receiving articles from the plate of a transfer conveyor for conveying the articles in a different direction from that of the infeed conveyor; there also is shown conveyors for equally spacing randomly spaced articles and for laterally aligning articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for accumulating into a group a series of spaced-apart loaves of bread in a bakery conveying line comprises an entry conveyor and an exit conveyor each including a driven belt of interconnected free rollers. Upon the arrival of the first loaf at the exit end of the exit conveyor, the exit conveyor is stopped, with succeeding loaves accumulating behind the first loaf under the continued action of the entry conveyor to form a contiguous group which fills first the exit conveyor and then successive zones of the entry conveyor. As each zone is filled, a corresponding shoe is moved into engagement with the rollers passing through that zone for rotating them to counteract the movement of the entry conveyor belt and relieve pressure on the accumulated loaves.

Abstract: A holding conveyor system including a conveyor frame; first and second conveyor belts carried by the frame laterally adjacent each other; a drive shaft rotatably supported by the conveyor frame; first and second drive means for driving the first and second conveyor belts, respectively; each of the conveyor belts including a plurality of low-friction rollers interconnected at their ends by links; the first drive means including first drive sprocket means rotatable with the drive shaft and a pinch block above the first drive sprocket means for guiding the first conveyor belt about the top course over the first drive sprocket means which drives the first conveyor belt in a first direction; the second drive means including a second drive sprocket means rotatable with the drive shaft and a pair of pinch rollers disposed one on either side of the second drive sprocket means for guiding the second conveyor belt about the bottom course under the second drive sprocket means, which drives the second conveyor belt in a

Abstract: An improved coiled spring conveyor particularly usable in an egg handling system for movement through stations which include both operations of candling and washing which comprises a plurality of coiled springs positioned about parallel rods which extend transversely to the direction of movement of the conveyor and eggs, the coiled springs being generally cylindrical including a first spring section of narrow diameter for firmly gripping the parallel rods and including a second spring section being slightly concave with respect to the transverse cross-section thereof to cooperate with adjacent similarly configured second spring sections to define a plurality of egg receiving recesses therebetween, the first spring sections and second spring sections being alternately positioned along each coiled spring to define a plurality of rows of egg receiving recesses extending parallel to the direction of egg movement on the conveyor, the respective second spring sections including a generally centrally located opaque

Abstract: An article transport system employs a rail assembly and a holder rotatably mounted on a conveyor. The assembly is comprised of a series of interconnected, axially-aligned, generally cylindrical members, which are relatively free to move independently of one another. Relative movement of the holder and rail assembly causes, through frictional engagement therebetween, the uniform rotation of an article mounted on the holder; the system has particular utility for transporting decorated can shells through ultraviolet curing ovens.

Abstract: A loader including a support for holding at a loading station a container having openings in the bottom, a continuous conveyor having alternating conveyor sections and window sections passing by the loading station and disposed above and in registration with the support, a platen disposed beneath the support and carrying a plurality of pins extending upwardly and having the upper ends disposed in a plane, means for moving the pins to a receiving position with the upper ends extending through the openings in the container bottom and disposed immediately below the loading station and a depositing position wherein the pins are withdrawn from the openings in the container on the support, and structure for feeding a package onto one of the conveyor sections and off the conveyor section at the loading station and into and through the trailing window section to deposit the package gently upon the pins, whereby upon moving the pins to the depositing position the package is deposited in the container; also disclosed i

Abstract: Apparatus for staggering product delivered to multiple product lanes. A merging conveyor receives the staggered product from the product lanes and merges the product into a single lane.A split conveyor is disclosed in which alternate groups of product positioning supports and product conveying supports position and convey the product in staggered relation to a merging conveyor for merging into a single lane without product accumulation.