Abstract: A conveyance belt (12) for a conveyor (1) comprises a plurality of cavities (26a-26c). Each of the cavities (26a-26c) is configured for form-fittingly accommodating a corresponding insert (24a-24f) for connecting the conveyance belt (12) with a conveyance element (20) of the conveyor (1).

Abstract: A conveyor, which has an area in its conveyor line and for adjusting intervals between articles, includes (1) a plurality of zones constituting the area and each having at least one driving motor and an article sensor, (2) structure for measuring either an interval between adjacent articles in the conveying direction or a difference of time points when adjacent articles in the conveying direction pass the sensor, and (3) a motor controller for each of the zones and for varying a rotational speed of the driving motor. When the measuring structure measures either the interval or the difference upon reception of signals from the sensor, the motor controller either accelerates or slows down the rotational speed of the driving motor in a zone where the article is placed.

Abstract: A device for measuring the properties of moving objects includes a station (5) for measuring predetermined properties of an object (100) and a first conveyor (2) for transferring the object (100) towards the measuring station (5). The device (1) includes accelerator means (6) for accelerating the object (100), acting on the object and positioned upstream of the measuring station (5) and slowing means (7) for slowing or stopping the object (100), acting on the object and positioned at the measuring station (5). A method for measuring the properties of moving objects includes the steps of: transporting an object (100) along a first conveyor (2) having a predetermined feed speed (T1); accelerating the object (100) relative to the first conveyor (2) feed speed (T1) then slowing the object (100) relative to the first conveyor (2) feed speed (T1) at least at a station (5) for measuring predetermined properties of the object (100).

Abstract: The conveyor of a travelator comprises a number of shafts and a number of mutually parallel endless belts. The conveyor comprises a number of conveyor modules successively connected to each other with a connecting section between them. The belts in the connecting section are arranged to be loosenable so that at least one shaft over which the belts to be loosened are passed is detachable so as to allow the conveyor modules to be released from each other. To release a conveyor module, at least one shaft on which the belt loops in the connecting section turn over is moved in relation to another shaft to slacken the belt loops. The shaft over which the loosened belt loops are passed is detached and removed from the belt loops. The detached conveyor module is removed for maintenance and/or replaced.

Abstract: A device for transferring nonwoven material from a fleece-laying machine to a consolidation device having an endless circulating output conveyor belt of the fleece-laying machine for accepting card webs which are laid on the output conveyor belt from above by the fleece-laying machine, the laid card webs forming the nonwoven material. A first drive unit drives the output conveyor belt at variable speed. In addition, a second drive unit for driving the output conveyor belt at an essentially constant speed is provided at a point which, relative to the first drive unit, is closer to the consolidation device. A hanging storage buffer of the output conveyor belt is thus formed in a section of the output conveyor belt located between the first drive unit and the second drive unit.

Abstract: A carrier type conveying apparatus capable of solving a problem in a conventional conveying apparatus wherein a conveying carriers (1) stop abnormally, comprising a rear-pushing traveling district (3) having, at its inlet, a rear-pushing drive means (5A) propelling the conveying carriers (1) at a constant speed and, at its outlet, a speed control drive means (5B) for sending out the conveying carriers (1) at the constant speed and a high-speed traveling district (4). The conveying apparatus comprises carrier connection systems (carrier connection means (9), connection engagement means (10), connection release means (11)). When the conveying carriers (1) travel in the high-speed traveling district (4), the connection of the conveying carriers (1) adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction by the carrier connection systems is disabled.

Abstract: A chip transfer apparatus includes a first carrier for feeding chips and a second carrier for carrying works on it. The transfer apparatus also includes a transfer engine including two or more coaxial revolvers, which can revolve coaxially with each other. Each of the coaxial revolvers includes an end-effector for receiving a chip from the first carrier and transferring the received chip onto a work on the second carrier. The end-effectors of the coaxial revolvers are arranged in a circle coaxial with the revolvers. The end-effectors sequentially receive chips from the first carrier at substantially zero speed relative to the first carrier and transfer the received chips onto works on the second carrier at substantially zero speed relative to the second carrier. While the end-effectors are revolving, they undergo periodic speed change control for timing adjustment and speed adjustment for the chip reception and transfer.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling and closing beverage bottles with a packaging device for packaging beverage bottles. The packaging device comprises a beverage bottle handling machine for maintaining separation and spacing of groups of bottles and for compacting bottles into groups having desired outer perimeter shape and outer perimeter size and dimensions.

Abstract: A buffer conveyor (12) for conveying conformable work products (66) includes a collapsible conveyor belt (13) having an infeed section (14), a collapsible intermediate section (16) and an outfeed section (18). The infeed section (14) may be driven at a non-continuous speed, and the outfeed section may also be driven at a uniform, or non-continuous, speed, but the average speed of both the infeed and outfeed sections is the same. The intermediate section of the conveyor is driven at a non-uniform speed that is slower than, but proportional to, the speed of the infeed section.

Abstract: A conveyance path for conveying articles though an accumulation conveyor, then through a carry-out conveyor, and then through a joining station is disclosed. After a flow of articles and at a time when there are no articles present on a portion of the conveyance path, an article spacing control of the carry-out conveyor and the carry-out of an article to the joining station are stopped. In the conveyance path where an article is present on a portion of the conveyance path, the speed control of an article in the accumulation conveyor is conducted at a speed higher than a constant speed, the speed control of the carry-out conveyor is conducted at a speed higher than the constant speed, and the article spacing control is conducted at a spacing narrower than a prescribed spacing.

Abstract: A transporting system and method for use in a high velocity document processing system using lower velocity print technology. The invention including an upstream transport conveying spaced apart documents at a first transport velocity. A deceleration transport decelerates documents from the high speed to a lower print velocity before passing the documents a print transport. A sensor located at the deceleration transport, detects the presence of documents at the deceleration transport, and triggers the deceleration profile to be performed on the document. The deceleration transport is controlled such that a leading portion of a document that is being decelerated overtakes a trailing portion of a downstream document that already traveling at the lower print velocity in the control of the print transport. An overlapping arrangement urges the lead portion of the upstream document to overlap on top of the trailing portion of the downstream document when the upstream document overtakes the downstream document.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting articles is disclosed. The conveyor is for transporting articles having an initial pitch, wherein the initial pitch of the articles is subsequently decreased and/or increased. After the subsequent increase and/or decrease in pitch, the initial pitch can then be restored or a different pitch obtained.

Abstract: A reduction to the traveling motion of bottles along a delivery conveyor in an intermittent motion decorating machine is provided by one of a pair of workpiece feed cams rotatably supported in a side-by-side relation to rotate about spaced horizontal axes lying in a common horizontal plane. The workpiece feed cams have feed cam tracks for receiving cam followers of each of plurality of vertical bottle carriers. One of the feed cam tracks reduces the speed of the bottle carriers from a relatively high entry speed corresponding to the through put speed in the decorating machine to the speed of the deliver conveyor for more densely populating the delivery conveyor with workpieces. Carrier transfer members at each of opposite ends of the workpiece feed cams transfer the bottle carriers from one to the other of the workpiece feed cams. A drive rotates the workpiece feed cams, carrier return cams and carrier transfer members.

Abstract: A conveyor 20 comprising a continuous conveyor belt 35, driven at a constant speed, and configured for compression and expansion along the direction of travel of the continuous conveyor belt 35. The continuous conveyor belt 35 passes over a drive pulley 32 and a secondary pulley 34 that freely rotates. At least one impulse linkage 37 engages the continuous conveyor belt 35, the impulse linkage 37 extends beyond the continuous conveyor belt 35 such that it may be contacted by an impulse striker 49 that is configured to intermittently contact said impulse linkage 37. By so contacting the impulse linkage 37, a displacement of a portion of the continuous conveyor belt 35 relative to the rest of the continuous conveyor belt 35 is caused due to the subsequent expansion or compression of the continuous conveyor belt 35, resulting in a localized acceleration.

Abstract: A transporting system and method for use in a high velocity document processing system using lower velocity print technology. The invention including an upstream transport conveying spaced apart documents at a first transport velocity. A deceleration transport decelerates documents from the high speed to a lower print velocity before passing the documents a print transport. A sensor located at the deceleration transport, detects the presence of documents at the deceleration transport, and triggers the deceleration profile to be performed on the document. The deceleration transport is controlled such that a leading portion of a document that is being decelerated overtakes a trailing portion of a downstream document that already traveling at the lower print velocity in the control of the print transport. An overlapping arrangement urges the lead portion of the upstream document to overlap on top of the trailing portion of the downstream document when the upstream document overtakes the downstream document.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus 10 includes crank arms 22 each of which is pivotally attached to a driving wheel 21, link levers 23 each of which has its one end pin-linked to the tip of the crank arm 22, and revolving sections 30 each of which is pin-linked to the other end of the link lever 23 and held at a distance from the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, wherein: the crank arm 22 is provided with a velocity-changing cam roller 223 protruding therefrom at a position spaced apart from the pivot center thereof; the velocity-changing cam roller 223 is guided while being engaged with the velocity-changing cam groove 44 which is formed to be eccentric to the rotation axis 210 of the driving wheel 21, whereby the tip of the crank arm 22 swings during one complete rotation of the driving wheel 21; and, as a result, the angular velocity of the link lever 23 linked to the tip of the crank arm 22 and the revolving section 30 periodically increases/decreases with respect to the angular velocity of the driving wheel 2

Abstract: A drive device for producing an at least approximately sinusoidal speed pattern for a transport belt provided in a printing machine for transporting printing material selected from the group thereof consisting of sheets and signatures, includes non-round drive wheels rotatable about respective axes thereof, and a tensioning member by which the drive wheels are drivingly connected.

Abstract: A sheet product transfer device includes an elastic belt forming a continuous loop, the elastic belt having an inner surface, a first drive unit contacting the inner surface, a second drive unit spaced apart from the first drive unit and contacting the inner surface of the elastic belt, the second drive unit driving the elastic belt at a different surface speed than the first drive unit, and a plurality of sheet product grippers arranged on the elastic belt. Also disclosed is a method for transferring sheet products comprising gripping a sheet product with a gripper attached to a continuous elastic belt, decelerating the sheet product, and releasing the sheet product.

Abstract: Described is an arrangement for feeding and/or taking away magazines intended to receive individual articles, to and/or from an apparatus for treating and/or handling the articles, wherein the apparatus comprises a first transport element which receives a supply of magazines for feeding articles to be treated, and a second transport element which receives a supply of magazines for carrying away treated articles, with the transport elements being arranged in mutually juxtaposed relationship and movable in a horizontal plane. A third transport element is operatively associated with the first and second transport elements and movable between a first position in which it is towards the first and second transport elements and at least one second position in which it is away from the first and second transport elements. The third transport element has at least one movable carrier for at least one magazine.

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 variable-speed moving walkway includes an array of support rollers (10) provided with a plurality of horizontal drive rollers (11), having upper surfaces arranged to be generally flush with each other and rotated about each axial center, and an endless belt (16), supported by the array of support rollers, for moving continuously by their rotation. An array of accelerating rollers (12), an array of high-speed rollers (13), and an array of decelerating rollers (14) constitute the array of support rollers, and allow rotational speeds of the horizontal drive rollers to gradually increase from a low speed, to be maintained at a constant high speed, and to gradually decrease to a low speed, respectively. In addition, the endless belt (16) readily extends or retracts in the direction of movement and barely extendable or retractable in the widthwise direction. The belt (16) extends and retracts in the direction of movement in response to the rotational speed of the horizontal drive rollers.

Abstract: A moving walk for effecting transport in a longitudinal direction includes a series of belt modules with modules at a center portion running at a higher rate than modules at exit ends. Among the belt modules are at least first and second belt modules, each having a first end and a second end, a endless belt extending from the first end to the second end, and a drive circulating the endless belt. The first and second belt modules are disposed adjacent one another in the longitudinal direction with the second end of the first belt module opposing the first end of the second belt module. The second end of the first belt module is disposed higher that the first end of the second belt module when a passenger is transported from the first belt module to the second belt module to facilitate transition from module to module.

Abstract: A method and novel drive system for use in a continuous block caster for continuously casting metal is disclosed. In particular, a novel worm gear drive system which reduces imperfections that can be created in a cast by movement of a beam chain through a casting cycle is disclosed.

Abstract: A chain conveyor (2), for example a carousel forming an internal revolving stock for a machine (1) for a logistic installation such as for sorting flat objects or a baggage conveyor for an airport environment or similar, the chain of the conveyor (2) being composed of stretches of chain implemented from at least one fixed-length link, distinctly self-conveyed and guided in a guide rail (3), two adjacent stretches being connected notably by a link with variable and/or adjustable pitch, this conveyor having adjustment means (10) and detection means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a moving walk which can transport users in opposite two directions. A number of pallets 3 are arranged for rounding or circulation on annular rails 11 having two linear sectors 1A and 1B. Screw rods 16 are arranged on the linear sectors 1A and 1B of the rails 11. The adjacent pallets 3 are interconnected through string members 22. The pallets 3 are moved in opposite directions on the linear sectors 1A and 1B, respectively. Each pallet 3 is inserted at its front end under a read end of its preceding pallet 3 to provide a continuous walk surface so that many users are transported safely.

Abstract: A variable-speed passenger conveyer comprises: endless driving chains which disengage the pallets at an acceleration zone and high-speed zone; a screw shaft which has a pitch that changes step by step so as to accelerate or decelerate the palettes; high-speed driving chains which engage the palettes at the high-speed zone to transport the palettes at high speed; and a driving system.

Abstract: In an apparatus and method of decorating articles which are transported on article carriers through a treatment station along a transport path which is linear at least over a portion of its extent, the article carriers are transported through the linear portion of the transport path by a screw having a screw flight adapted to engage with a respective article carrier required to move along the linear portion of the transport path. Rotation of the screw advances the respective article carrier along the linear transport path portion. The screw preferably rotates at a constant speed so that changes in the speed of movement of the article carrier along the linear portion of the transport path are implemented by variations in the screw flight pitch over the length of the screw.

Abstract: A speed-variable conveyor includes a belt-formed fibrous body deformable in a moving direction and a width direction, a plurality of rollers mounted on both ends in the width direction of the fibrous body, and a pair of guide rails for movably supporting the rollers and differing in spacing according to the moving speed of the fibrous body. The moving speed of the fibrous body is low where the width of the fibrous body is large, and high where the width is small. A support moving body contacting a lower surface of the fibrous body for driving the fibrous body is provided. This reduces a load applied to the fibrous body.

Abstract: A travelling walkway for conveying of persons, comprises sections with different speeds and with varying speeds, is formed from pivotably interconnected and driven carriers, wherein the length distances between the carriers are variable and step elements, which overlap one another in running direction of the travelling walkway and are displaceable relative to one another, are present on the carriers. Link chains, which are arranged parallel in longitudinal direction and which are transversely connected at the joints by means of step plates to form an articulated lattice variable in length and width, are used as carriers. Lateral guides and guide rollers produce the stretching and pushing together of the articulated lattice required by changes in width. Grooved and smooth drive belts move the articulated lattice at different speeds as necessary. The articulated lattice is horizontally deflected at both ends of the travelling walkway by means of a circulating device.

Abstract: The conveyor comprises a conveyor belt (5), two main drums (R1,R4) around which the conveyor belt forms a main loop, two auxiliary drums (R2,R3) mounted between the main drums and around which the conveyor belt forms a secondary loop, and two auxiliary rolls (R5,R6) close together and forming a return for the upper strand of the conveyor belt towards each of the auxiliary drums. The main drum (R1) located at the end where objects begin to be conveyed is shifted as one back and forth parallel to the conveyor belt in such a way that as it shifts backward, the conveyor belt has a section (S1) with zero speed. The forward travel is such that an object placed on the zero-speed section catches up with the objects lying on that section of the belt that is traveling at constant speed.

Abstract: A bucket conveyor apparatus includes one or more conveyor chains, and a plurality of conveyor buckets which are pivotally mounted on the conveyor chains. While the buckets are positioned in spaced apart relationship along the chains, the present apparatus includes an arrangement for relatively reducing this relative spacing at an infeed station of the apparatus. An arrangement of guide members is provided for relatively reducing the effective length of the conveyor chains thereby relatively reducing the spacing between the conveyor buckets at the infeed station. Efficient loading of material into the buckets is thus facilitated since spillage of material between the buckets during loading is substantially abated.

Abstract: A plant preferably a freezer tunnel for temporary storage of items having an inlet and a discharge station. The plant includes a conveyor for carrying items therethrough. The conveyor loops around fixed turning rolls located opposite each other in the plant and around movable turning rolls located on at least one trolley. The trolley can be slid freely as a result of the speeds of the drives. A buffer storage is established when drive members for the conveyor is provided at both at the inlet and discharge station. The two drive members are constructed to be able to operate mutually independent at mutually variable speeds. The drive at the discharge station may be reversed in order to move the items on the conveyor at the discharge station back into the freezer tunnel.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a plurality of liquid-filled containers each having an open top is set forth. The conveyor system comprises a conveyor for supporting the plurality of liquid-filled containers. The conveyor is driven by a servomotor. A programmable servomotor control system is connected to control movement of the servomotor in indexed steps in accordance with a programmed motion profile. The programmed motion profile includes a move portion and a dwell portion, the move portion being substantially non-jerk limited. The non-jerk limited motion profile may take on many different characteristics.

Abstract: A high-temperature, conveyer-type furnace includes a selectively flexible-inflexible conveyer belt for transporting articles through the furnace. The belt, which is preferably made of ceramic, includes a plurality of longitudinally-extending, pivotally-interconnected links and a locking mechanism for locking the links into a relatively inflexible mode when the belt is subjected to longitudinal compression so that the belt can be pushed through the furnace.

Abstract: A food processing system comprises a food processor, a food product conveyor belt associated and constructed of segments that are longitudinally displaceable relative to one another and linked together to form an endless conveyor belt that extends through the food processor. The conveyor belt is arranged to travel from a lineal course into and through an arcuate course. A conveyor drive drivingly engages with the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for use in a mass production is provided, which includes a first transport belt for transporting objects at either regular or irregular intervals and for discharging such objects at a zone of transfer. A second transport belt is included for receiving the objects at the zone of transfer from the first transport belt and for discharging the objects with equal spacings between such objects. An endlessly revolving articulated link chain, having chain links connected to one another by articulated links, has drivers mounted on every second articulated link. A first guide rail has a guide edge for displaceably guiding the articulated links upon which said drivers are mounted, while a second guide rail extends in a line deviating from the course of the first guide rail so that a spacing between the first guide rail and the second guide rail increases within the zone of transfer for temporarily reducing the spacing between the drivers.

Abstract: The bucket conveyor system is made up of buckets which are pivotally suspended between two chains and run around an endless circuit. The claims are made up of links being connected by pins in elongated holes. This chain can be compressed to make its length less than when it is under tension. The chain is compressed at the loading station to force the buckets into direct contact with each other and allow continuous 10 loading. At the discharge station the chain is put under tension to space the buckets and allow them to be rotated through 360.degree. to empty out their contents. Guides are positioned at the areas where the chain is under compression to stop buckling from occurring. The system is driven by a motor and sprockets which also control the compression or tension of the chain.

Abstract: The transporting apparatus has a guide which forms a closed loop and in which transporting members circulate. The transporting members are driven at the beginning and end of the effective conveying zone by in each case an independently controllable drive mechanism. Between successive transporting members there are in each case spring elements, which are designed exclusively for the transfer of compressive force. The drive means of the drive mechanisms driving the transporting members are preceded by controlled blockers, by which the transporting members are prevented from being taken along by the drive. As a result it is ensured that each transporting member seizes a printing product, even if there are gaps in the printing products as they are fed to the transporting members, the printing products preferably being fed in imbricated formation. At the delivery point, the delivery of printing products may also be delayed by one or more cycles without stopping the drive.

Abstract: A conveying system has at least two equidistant conveyor chains. In order that the chain links of the conveyor chains also move synchronously on conveying path portions in which the radii of curvature of the individual chain paths differ from one another, the chain link spacings can be adapted by corresponding control means to the ratio of the radii of curvature of the individual chain paths.

Abstract: The variable-speed conveyor element applied to a handrail is made up of individual handles linked together by elements of variable length which themselves function like elements of the handrail. Each of these variable-length elements is formed from a continuous flexible link, such as a belt or cable, to which are fitted contiguous blocks which stop or limit the bending of the elements in one direction. The blocks have projections and recesses allowing them to mutually interlock and ensure the transmission of forces.

Abstract: Retainer grooves are formed widthwise at a constant pitch on the external surface of a timing belt to retain the lead terminals of an electronic component therein. A magnet is mounted to a rail for guiding the timing belt to attract the lead terminals of the electronic component to the retainer grooves. The electronic component can be prevented from falling off or being displaced due to an inertia force generated at the time of intermittent feed so as to be stably conveyed not only horizontally but also in vertical or circular arc directions.

Abstract: An improved chain conveyor includes drive sprockets for the chain, and second sprockets for guiding the pallets between the upper and lower runs. The second sprockets rotate at a different rate of speed than the drive sprockets to adjust for misalignment between the pallet and the second sprocket as the pallet approaches the turns. The pallet includes an alignment groove which connects onto a link on the chain to properly position the pallet relative to the chain, and a plurality of teeth which are then engaged by the second sprocket. The second sprocket and the alignment groove thus provide plural positive engagement points between the pallet and the conveyor as the pallet moves between the upper and lower runs. This is an improvement over prior art systems which relied on frictional contact for such turning. In a further feature of the present invention, the chain and pallet are dimensioned such that the pallet is unlikely to jam as it is being turned.

Abstract: In an apparatus for transporting packaged food products from a product loading station to an unloading station, series of containers are entrained by a drive arrangement along a closed-loop path and temporarily halted at the loading station and the unloading station for loading the products onto the containers and unloading the products from the containers, respectively; each container has a hitch member arranged to rest on the drive arrangement in a freely slidable manner therealong and, disposed in the closed-loop path, there is at least one accelerating device applying a force to each container effective to impose on the container an acceleration with respect to the speed of the drive arrangement.

Abstract: A conveying device, especially for pedestrians, merchandise or the like includes an area through which an accelerator assembly loads a main conveyor and an area through which a conveyor unloads onto a decelerator assembly. The accelerator assembly is slightly elevated with respect to the loading area of the main conveyor and the decelerator element is slightly lowered with respect to the main conveyor.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt of a belt conveyor system in a plant for air treatment of food products follows a helical path section preceded by a straight path section and followed by another straight path section. In the preceding straight path section, the conveyor belt remains collapsed and in the following straight path section, the conveyor belt remains expanded. At the transition between the preceding straight path section and the helical path section, the conveyor belt is expanded along the outer lateral edge of the belt. At the transition between the helical path section and the following straight path section, the conveyor belt is expanded along the inner lateral edge of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the length of a chain path having cookie or cracker divider assemblies attached thereto. A continuous series of edge-stacked cookies or crackers may be divided into groups by the divider assemblies. Adjustment of slide bars in the path of the roller chain allow for adjustment of the length of chain intermediate the slide bars. Also provided is an articulating finger configured to work in cooperation with a vibrating chute.

Abstract: An endless ammunition conveyor includes a set of laterally moveable carriers and a set of laterally fixed carriers arranged in alternating relation with the moveable carriers. Incident with conveyor movement, the moveable carriers are cammed between laterally offset positions relative to the fixed carriers for respective round exchanges with a pair of ammunition storage bays and interleaved, longitudinally aligned positions with the fixed carriers for round exchanges with a gun-feeding transfer unit. Concurrently, the pitch between adjacent fixed and moveable carriers is changed between a maximum pitch at the gun end of the conveyor and a minimum pitch at the bay end of the conveyor.

Abstract: A variable-speed pallet conveyor has a moving body, a plurality of rotary shafts rotatably mounted on the moving body so as to extend horizontally and transversely of the direction of travel, tapered rollers and pallet feed rollers fixedly mounted on the rotary shafts, and rails laid under the path of the tapered rollers to support them. Pallets are supported by the pallet feed rollers. The travel speed of the pallets can be changed by changing the position of the rails along the axis of the tapered rollers. There may be provided rail-missing areas so that the pallets can be stopped in this area.

Abstract: A conveyor belt designed to operate about lateral curves is disclosed. The conveyor belt is comprised of transverse rods interconnected by links disposed along opposite transverse edges of the belt. The links along at least one transverse edge are dual pitch links. The links along the other transverse edge are preferably U-shaped single pitch links for connecting adjacent rods. When the belt proceeds about a lateral curve, the pitch along the inside edge of the curve is held the same as in straight line motion, while the outside edge of the belt is expanded to a second greater pitch by pivoting motion of the dual pitch links. In one embodiment single pitch links and support links are disposed along the inside edge of the belt to provide support for the inside edge of successive tiers of the belt as the belt travels a helical path. A specific link construction which uses a work-hardened curved bearing surface is also disclosed.

Abstract: The transport apparatus comprises an endless guide device extending in a closed path and at which there are guided a number of entrainment elements. These entrainment elements are interconnected by a toothed belt deformed into a substantially wave-shaped configuration by attachment elements secured at the entrainment elements. At each of the starting region and terminal region of the conveying-active path of the transport apparatus, there are rotatably mounted two parallel cam discs rotatable in a predetermined direction of rotation by related drives. Recesses in the cam discs act upon the entrainment elements such that the latter are driven at the starting region and terminal region of the conveying-active path and are dispositioned in a predetermined mutual position. The spacing between the entrainment elements at the conveying-active path and at the non-conveying active path is compensated by the resilient action of the wave-shaped deformed toothed belt.