Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting threads of metal pipes while coating the metal pipes with a protective coating are disclosed herein. Innovative metal couplings are used to protect the threads while a protective coating is applied to the metal pipes. The couplings are reusable and result in multiple efficiency improvements over previous methods and systems. Benefits include elimination of plastic caps and reduced waste, improved flowthrough in the powder coating process, more efficient thermo transfer in the thermal chamber, and an increase in the overall capacity of the powder coating operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting threads of metal pipes while coating the metal pipes with a protective coating are disclosed herein. Innovative metal couplings are used to protect the threads while a protective coating is applied to the metal pipes. The couplings are reusable and result in multiple efficiency improvements over previous methods and systems. Benefits include elimination of plastic caps and reduced waste, improved flowthrough in the powder coating process, more efficient thermo transfer in the thermal chamber, and an increase in the overall capacity of the powder coating operation.

Abstract: An automatic article sorting conveyor apparatus includes a supply unit configured to include first and second oblique roller frames having a plurality of first and second oblique rollers and to convey articles, an arranging unit configured to include third and fourth oblique roller frames having a plurality of third and fourth oblique rollers and a middle belt frame including a middle belt having a front coupled to the first and second oblique roller frames, and an article drop unit configured to include first and second counter-oblique roller frames having a plurality of first and second counter-oblique rollers on the left and right sides of the middle belt, first and second drop chutes having one ends coupled to the first and second counter-oblique roller frames, and first and second conveying belt frames have one ends coupled to the first and second drop chutes and including conveying belts circulate.

Abstract: An apparatus for the conveying of plastics material containers and, in particular, plastics material pre-forms with a first roller arranged so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, with a second roller arranged so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis, wherein the first roller and the second roller are arranged with respect to each other such that the plastics material containers can be conveyed between these rollers, wherein the plastics material container is supported by the two rollers during conveying. At least one roller has a main body produced from a first material and a layer which surrounds this main body in its peripheral direction and which is produced from a plastics material differing from the first material, wherein this layer acts as a contact layer for contacting the plastics material containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting and expanding device for cutting a web of packaging material that is fed to the device via a web inlet into a plurality of individual webs that are conveyed away from the device at a web outlet and spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting substrates and a guide unit are disclosed herein. A guide unit can prevent a substrate from shaking in a side direction when the substrate is transported by the rotation of a transporting roller. The guide unit includes an inner ring and an outer ring. The outer ring includes a ring-shaped guide protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring in a side direction. The outer circumferential surface of the outer ring comes in contact with the bottom edge of a substrate to support the substrate, and a side surface of the guide comes in contact with the side of the substrate to prevent the substrate from traveling in a side direction. The inner ring rotates with the shaft, and the outer ring rotates by a friction force with the substrate.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveying apparatus which guides a conveying target object in the conveying direction while preventing it from falling off from rollers and in which intervals between the adjacent rollers can be narrowed.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a work piece from a beginning point to an end point in a longitudinal direction with at least one process step applied in between to such work piece is provided according to the invention. The work piece is propelled in the longitudinal direction over a combination of grooved rollers and conveyor belt units in series. Grooved guide means with, e.g., V, U, or square shapes that are machined into the surface of the rollers prevent the work piece from moving laterally as it is transported in the longitudinal direction, and maintain precise spacing between a plurality of work piece strands undergoing simultaneous transport by the conveyor system. The conveyor belt unit located between the grooved rollers inhibits rotation of the work piece as it is transported in the longitudinal direction. This conveyor system is good for treating the entire exterior surface area of the work piece in a uniform manner, such as coating the surface of rebar, dowel bar, hollow tube, or pipe.

Abstract: A singulating conveyor for aligning a mass of conveyed articles into a single file. The conveyor includes a first centering conveying zone in which one or more roller-top conveyor mats direct conveyed articles sidewise toward a side or the center of the zone. The rollers on which the articles ride rotate about axes oblique to the conveying direction to provide a sidewise component of motion to the articles. The articles are received downstream in a second separation zone, in which the articles are sped up in the conveying direction to separate them into a single file. The conveyor mats can be realized as endless conveyor belts in motion or as stationary mats overlying a moving belt contacting and rotating the rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus to evenly distribute loose articles within a package. The apparatus includes a conveyor unit to convey and agitate the package and a pressing unit to press on and thereby smooth the package. The conveyor unit includes a plurality of tapered rollers which are tapered on alternating sides.

Abstract: A roll quadrant conveyor for conveying strip material generally includes a plurality of support members for supporting a plurality of rolls around a quadrant roll of any desired wrapping angle and, further, a plurality of rolls journaled for rotation in the support members. The rolls are positioned on opposed sides of a conveyor centerline, with each roll positioned at an angle of less than 90° with the conveyor centerline. The rolls define a chevron pattern around the wrapping angle. The strip material, in motion, is centered on the conveyor by the rolls arranged in the chevron pattern. The rolls are profiled rolls.

Abstract: An intake device of an automated redemption machine is disclosed for returnable containers, the intake device comprising half-conveyors for transporting the container in an essentially horizontal position and rotator assemblies for rotating the container for the purpose of scanning, a bar code. The invention is implemented so that the half-conveyors have slots adapted thereto transverse to the conveyor travel direction, the slots permitting at least partially elevating and lowering the rotator discs via the slots for rotating the returned containers.

Abstract: A shaft support for supporting a shaft end of a conveyor roller is pivotable about an axis extending generally along the direction of conveyance of a conveyor, such that the support may pivot to accommodate a change in vertical positioning of one or both ends of the roller. The shaft support may also be pivotable about a generally vertical axis in order to also accommodate skewed rollers mounted at an angle not perpendicular to the direction of conveyance. Because the shaft support is pivotable about the axis extending in the direction of conveyance, the shaft support simplifies the installation and removal of the motorized roller, while providing for a roller does not require a spring loaded shaft or axle. The roller may thus be a low cost roller which may be easily installed and removed from the conveyor.

Abstract: A feed roller for a recording medium 1 includes a roller shaft 2 supplied with rotating force for feeding the recording medium, a roller body 3 made of an elastic material and provided with a center bore extending in a longitudinal direction through which the roller shaft 2 is inserted, and a pair of holding members 5a, 5b which rotate in association with the roller shaft 2 and hold the roller body 3 in a longitudinally compressed state by clamping opposite ends of the roller body 3.

Abstract: A conveyor roller for motorized conveyors including a lateral friction torque limiting mechanism to drive a roller tube via a rotation driving element. The torque limiting mechanism includes a first friction surface associated with the roller tube and a second friction surface associated with the drive element. The second friction surface is made of a magnetic material. The first and second friction surfaces are applied one against the other through a magnetic field generated by permanent magnets. When the force required to rotate the roller tube is higher than the frictional force between the first and second friction surfaces, slippage will occur between the first and second friction surfaces, stopping the rotation of the roller. The drive element includes ventilation channels to thereby cool the friction surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article feeding apparatus for arraying and feeding articles having nearly spherical shape or nearly elliptical shape such as fruits and balls for sports, and more particularly to an article feeding apparatus comprising support rollers arranged in a conveying direction, with the support rollers being arranged at an angle of a nearly V form large in the opening angle as seen from the plane toward said conveying direction, and rotating means for rotating the support rollers in an article transferring direction, in which the articles are centered in the central part of the conveying route, the articles conveyed in overlaid or gathered state are dispersed back and forth, a transfer force is applied in a direction moving toward the central part of the conveying route, and the articles are transferred to next process accurately and securely one by one while maintaining the centered state of the articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting paper rolls to a pickup point (8) of a crane of a crane-assisted storage area and for transferring a roll from the storage area from the pickup point (8). An upright-oriented roll is centered by a centering conveyor (5) at a point different from the pickup point (8) of the crane and the centered roll is then moved precisely to the pickup point (8). A two-part conveyor comprising the centering conveyor (5) and a delivering conveyor (9) are rotatable about a center axis so that the centering part (5) and the delivering conveyor (9) can alternatingly be aligned with the pickup point (8).

Abstract: A roller apparatus for a corrugator machine comprises a tubular mantle secured to a central core. Circumferential grooves are provided in the surface of the roller. The grooves provided at the centre of the roller are inclined at an angle ".alpha." which is less than the angle of inclination ".alpha." of the grooves provided at the outer regions of the roller.

Abstract: First and second shafts are held on first and second guides and a belt is wrapped on the first and second shafts. A motor is mounted on the first guide and rotationally drives a belt. The belt has a surface inclined from its opposite-side edges downward toward its middle to define a recess at the middle of the belt along a conveying direction of the belt. The lead frame is so conveyed that only its opposite-side edges as viewed along the conveying direction of the lead frame are contacted with the surface of the belt and that a bed and leads placed at the middle portion of the lead frame are not contacted with the surface of the belt.

Abstract: An insertable pallet for unloading or acquiring objects or for loading or piling objects, particularly in a stacked position, comprising at least one live roller for moving an object being unloaded or loaded along the insertable pallet. In the unloading mode of the insertable pallet, the insertable pallet is thrust at an object seam until the insertable pallet is underneath the object being unloaded a sufficient distance to engage at least one live roller of said insertable pallet for moving the object from its initial position along said pallet. In the loading mode of the insertable pallet, an object being loaded is moved to and preferably partially over the front of the insertable pallet by at least one live roller. The insertable pallet is appropriately positioned so that when the object arrives at the front of the insertable pallet an operator can nudge the object off the insertable pallet with a minimum of physical effort.

Abstract: An ink jet printing machine for elongate cylindrical articles such as tubes or straws for biological fluids, includes an automatically controlled ink-jet printing station. The printing station includes a printing head, handling apparatus for the straws or tubes comprising an admission passage for receiving, guiding and feeding straws or tubes, a wall panel, a suction port disposed in the wall panel at a downstream end of the admission passage and connected to a source of vacuum, a transfer plunger mounted for reciprocating along the wall panel between the suction port and a conveyor, the leading straw or tubes being transferred from the suction port to the conveyor by displacement of the transfer plunger toward the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor continuously advances bundles issuing from a manufacturing line while manipulating them into a pattern for shipment. Comprised of three zones, the conveyor sequentially centers, rotates and organizes bundles for inclusion in a pattern in preparation for shipment without manual intervention. The conveyor is insensitive to bundle size within the parameters of the particular embodiment, and performs desired manipulation regardless of initial bundle placement or orientation. As no interruption in the flow of bundles is needed to manipulate bundles into patterns, no jamming of bundles occurs upstream from such patterns as they form. The conveyor increases the overall speed of handling bundles, and makes possible the automation of shipping procedures in manufacturing facilities.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning work objects having a frame adopted to receive the work objects and to direct them along a course, a plurality of work members mounted on the frame in position for engagement by the work objects in the course, and a drive mechanism for rotating the work members while in engagement with the work objects to propel the work objects along the course and substantially into single file with the longitudinal axes thereof disposed in substantially coaxial alignment.

Abstract: A first pair of generally cylindrical rollers are positioned on a run-out table. Each of the rollers has a first section including the first end of the rollers which is of a first diameter, a second section including the second end of the rollers of a second, larger diameter and a third section of changing diameter which forms a slope on the surface of the rollers joining the surfaces of the first and second sections. Each roller has its first and second ends mounted on opposite sides of the run-out table with respect to the other roller in the pair. A strip centered on the run-out table rests entirely on the smaller diameter section of the pair of rollers. The sloped sections of the rollers engage the sides of a strip as the strip veers away from the center line resisting lateral movement of the strip and cambering.

Abstract: A conveyor system that can readily transport I-beams, angle irons, T-beams, channel members, and like components without any modifications to the system being necessary. The system includes a plurality of sets of roller pairs, each roller being contoured so that it has various surfaces that will accept components and properly engage them for transport. Each pair of rollers is mounted for rotation about a common axis, and a power actuated structure is provided for adjusting the spacing between the rollers of each pair to accommodate components of different sizes.

Abstract: A system for transporting tube or bar stock along its horizontal axis comprising conveyor sections and a drive section each section containing a series of rotating drive assemblies. The drive assemblies contain a pair of frusto-conical rollers upon which the tube or bar stock rides. These rollers engage threads of opposite hands disposed on opposing portions of a driven shaft with respect to the axis of transport. Means for rotationally connecting and disconnecting the shaft and rollers such as locking pins or clutches are provided. Means for preventing the rotation of the rollers such as disc brake assemblies or stop bars which contact radially protruding members rotationally connected to the rollers are provided. When the rollers and shafts are rotationally connected and free to rotate, the work piece is transported.

Abstract: The present invention is used in continuous casting machines where a billet is withdrawn from a mould and simultaneously rotated about its own axis. The invention provides a withdrawal roll unit that has withdrawal rolls mounted on oscillating levers or housings cantilevered on a rotating cage. The levers, with the withdrawal rolls, are located in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cage. The ends of the levers are connected in series one to another. In one embodiment, a second end of each lever or housing is connected by an elastic element to a first end of an adjacent lever which, in turn, is secured to the cage.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying metal articles between work stations comprises spaced apart skids which have substantially continuous conveying surfaces composed of rows of rotatable elements. The elements have their rotational axes inclined at a small angle which is in the range 2-10 degrees away from the normal to the conveying surface and have work surfaces which are rotatable so that portions thereof move into and out of the conveying surface.

Abstract: A power roller conveyor has a plurality of rollers forming an article propelling and transporting surface. The rollers are powered from beneath by a continuously driven propelling member which has a width substantially less than the length of the rollers and is located midway between the ends of the rollers. The longitudinal axis of each of the rollers is slightly arched whereby each roller, in one rotational position, has driving engagement with the propelling member and, in a diametrically different position, disengages the roller, permitting the conveyor to serve either as a transport conveyor or as an accumulator having low line pressure and capable of automatically shifting from one mode to the other without the necessity for sensors or any other operating mechanisms.