Abstract: A sorting installation, in particular for transporting and/or sorting items to be conveyed, includes a transport path, a stator arranged adjacent to the transport path and a transport unit configured to move on the transport path in a movement direction. The transport unit includes a conveyor element for loading and/or unloading an item, and a conveyor rotor for driving the conveyor element. The conveyor rotor includes a permanent magnet and interacts electromagnetically with the stator for rotation about an axis of rotation. A latching apparatus applies a detent torque on the conveyor rotor, when the conveyor rotor interacts electromagnetically with the latching apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fitment holder that includes a base, a hub extending from the base, and a fitment positioning structure comprising a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins may be configured to engage a wing of the fitment and the plurality of pins may include a plurality of heads residing in a plurality of countersunk areas formed in the base. The plurality of pins may also include a plurality of ends extending from a top surface of the base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a one piece blank of a corrugated cardboard sheet material designed for forming a belt intended to form a box having a length L, a width W and a height H, wherein this blank includes a main rectangular body (10) extending along a longitudinal direction and two protruding rectangular parts (11, 12) extending in a transverse direction and symmetrically with regard to the main body, so as to define two perpendicular branches, a first branch being defined by the main body and a second branch defined by the protruding parts, the main body (10) having a width (D1) larger than the length L and a length (D2) larger than at least twice the width W plus the height H (2W+2H) and each of the protruding parts having a length (d1) larger than the height H or the width W and a width (d2) larger than the width W or the height H.

Abstract: A conveyor that includes a conveyor frame, a first guide rail assembly, a divert unit having a switch assembly, and an alignment key is described. In this regard, the first guide rail assembly is positioned on a first portion of the conveyor frame such that rails of the first guide rail assembly extends along a length of the conveyor. In some examples, the first guide rail includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail positioned parallel to the first guide rail. Further, the first guide rail defines a groove along a length of the first guide rail assembly. Furthermore, according to some examples, the switch assembly defines a key slot. The key slot is adapted to enable the alignment key to pass through the key slot and further into the groove of the first guide rail, thereby, aligning the switch assembly on the first guide rail.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are provided to accept a delivery through an opening such as a window in a wall of a package that is transported by any aerial vehicle such as a drone or other similar device. The system is completely installed on the inside of the building and extends out through the portal to receive the package from the aerial vehicle. Once the package has been transferred to this system from the aerial vehicle, it moves the package into the building through the same opening and sufficiently distances itself and the package from the opening so that the window or portal can close. The package is then placed on the floor in front of the window or portal and the apparatus moves the package to a position that allows for a space to place another package following a future delivery.

Abstract: In embodiments, a conveyor apparatus can include a conveyor ribbon having a length, a width, a thickness less than the width, and a plurality of receiving apertures located along the length and extending through the thickness of the conveyor ribbon. The plurality of receiving apertures are dimensioned to receive and hold a plurality of glass articles. A conveyor drive and guidance system directs the conveyor ribbon along a predefined conveyor path. The predefined conveyor path can include an immersion section and a drain section. The immersion section can be oriented to direct the conveyor ribbon into and out of an immersion station and the conveyor ribbon is rotated about a horizontal axis in the drain section after being directed out of the immersion station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trough conveyor, which is designed and configured for transporting fish transversely to the longitudinal extent thereof in the transport direction TM, comprising a transport chain which can be rotationally driven and is formed from chain links and has a transport run, which defines the transport plane E1, and a return run, wherein the continuous transport chain is guided about at least two deflection elements, which can be rotated about an axis of rotation Du, for driving and guiding the transport chain, and the transport chain has arranged thereon troughs each intended to receive one fish, which trough conveyor is distinguished in that each trough is arranged on the transport chain so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation DM extending transversely to the transport direction TM and comprises at least one guide body, and in that at least one guide rail for receiving the guide body and for guiding the same is arranged at least in the transition region Ü from the transport run t

Abstract: A material handling machine for transferring discrete loads of excavated, uncrushed waste from an excavator or other excavation equipment to a dumping location beyond the reach of the excavator. The material handling machine may include a mobile bridge supported by two or more crawlers. The material handling machine may further include at least one skip that is selectively moved between a first end and a second end of the mobile bridge. The at least one skip may receive material from excavation equipment at the first end and deposit the received material proximate the second end. When the material handling machine includes two skips, one skip may be positioned above the other skip, or the skips may be positioned to be side-by-side.

Abstract: A device for handling a sample containing liquid components comprises a housing, a retaining part-unit for holding a storage unit containing the sample, a drive unit for moving the retaining part-unit, and at least one sample-taking body located in the housing. The drive unit has a drive member and a movement-transfer part-unit connected tHereto, and the movement-transfer part-unit has at least one rotation axle. The drive member of the drive unit has a single drive motor, while the movement-transfer part-unit is adjacent to a carrying structure that rotates around the rotation axle(s) of the movement-transfer part-unit. A drive-transfer unit is inserted between the carrying structure and the drive motor, the carrying structure having first and second moving elements which have first and second control bodies, respectively, falling outside of first and second rotation axles, respectively. The first and second moving elements have a periodical, movement-transfer positive coupling link with each other.

Abstract: A pipetting device (2) for removing fluid from a sample vessel (52) includes a pipetting needle (4) and an auxiliary cannula (18) for piercing a septum, designed to guide the pipetting needle axially through the auxiliary cannula. The pipetting device has a guide arm (6), on the lower end (10) of which is arranged an end plate (12) that is axially displaceable along the guide arm against a resilient resistance. A centering device (14) inserts into the end plate of the guide arm, and at least three centering fingers (26) with conical bevels (34) are constructed on the radial outside of the centering device, distributed around the circumference thereof, and forming a holding-down device for the sample vessel. The disclosed construction makes possible to reliably pierce the septum of a sample vessel and to easily pull the pipetting needle out of the septum again even with thin pipetting needles.

Abstract: A packaging device includes a conveyance mechanism configured to convey a base and an object, a guide portion configured to guide a film, and a processor. The conveyance mechanism includes pulleys, an endless belt routed around the pulleys, a drive portion configured to rotationally drive the belt and a conveyance portion. The conveyance portion includes a first conveyance portion and a second conveyance portion provided in a position separated from the first conveyance portion in a direction in which the belt extends. The first conveyance portion includes a first protruding portion protruding outward from an outer side surface of the belt and a first extending portion extending toward the second conveyance portion. The second conveyance portion includes a second protruding portion protruding outward from the outer side surface of the belt and a second extending portion extending toward the first conveyance portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the surface treatment of objects, comprising a treatment cabinet having an entry and an exit and a conveyor system comprising pulling or pushing means, by means of which an object can be conveyed in circulation in a transport direction through the treatment cabinet, thereby covering a transport distance. The object provides a transport length in the transport direction associated therewith, and the pulling or pushing means provide a drive distance in the transport direction. The conveyor system comprises a coupling device, by means of which the object can be coupled to the pulling or pushing means along the drive distance. The drive distance is shorter than the transport length of the object in the transport direction, and the coupling device is aligned so that the transport distance that can be covered by the object is longer than the drive distance.

Abstract: A dual position chute for parcel handling. In one embodiment, the device comprises a conveying track, an unloading station and a transition zone dual-position chute that is adapted to divert a package from an adjacent conveying track and between at least two substantially vertical discharge positions. In some examples, the chute includes an inlet, a positionable diverter door and at least one spatially-separated stationary diverter door that is downstream from the positionable diverter door. The system and chute provides for discharge of small parcels from an adjacent packing sorting conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor comprising a conveyor belt having rollers with metallic or magnetic rotors. A magnet or metallic element next to the conveyor belt is positioned to rotate the rotor. A magnetic field produced by the magnet or by the magnetic rotor rotates the rollers as they pass the magnetic field or as the magnetic field is changed.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for conveying objects (6) along a path, the path including an upstream portion (17) and a curved portion (13), the upstream portion (17) defining a direction of entry into the curved portion (13), the curved portion (13) defining a radially outward direction transverse to the direction of entry into the curved portion; the conveyor apparatus comprising suspension means (4) adapted to travel along the path and to carry an object (6) to be conveyed suspended at the suspension means (4); and deflection means (10) arranged to deflect an object (6) suspended at the suspension means (4) in the radially outward direction when the suspension means (4) travels along the upstream portion (17) towards the curved portion (13).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first operating machine arranged for processing objects, a second operating machine positioned downstream of the first operating machine and arranged for further processing the objects, an accumulating arrangement interposed between the first operating machine and the second operating machine and arranged for receiving the objects, and a command and control arrangement arranged for detecting a parameter indicating the quantity of the objects contained in the accumulating arrangement and regulating the operation of the second operating machine on the basis of the parameter. A method includes dispensing synthetic plastics in a pasty state, compression-moulding the plastics to obtain a perform, blowing the perform to obtain a container, and filling the container with a product. Each step maintains its own regulated temperature so that the dispensing temperature is greater than the blowing temperature and the blowing temperature is greater than the filling temperature.

Abstract: A device for transporting articles within a packaging machine is disclosed. The device includes at least one conveying system for the articles to be packaged or for the packaging units for the articles to be packaged. The conveying system includes a continuously circulating transport track. The at least one conveying system has several trays that can be connected to each individual transport track. Each conveying system is configured with an upper level and a lower level. A first lifting unit is associated with each conveying system at the beginning and a second lifting unit is associated with each conveying system at the end, said lifting units moving the trays at the beginning and at the end of the conveying system between the upper level and the lower level.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for stocking semifinished products for manufacturing tires for vehicle wheels, wherein a semifinished product is supplied on a roller conveyor along a supplying direction. Between the rollers of the conveyor at an unloading station, there are arranged arms of a lift. When the semifinished product reaches the unloading station, the arms are rotated around an axis parallel to the supplying direction in such a way as to lift the arms and slide the semifinished product by gravity on the arms along an unloading direction that is perpendicular to the supplying direction and to first ends of these arms. The semifinished product drops through gravity from the first ends onto a resting plane of a supporting bench positioned below the first ends and spaced apart therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a transferring arrangement for transferring objects obtained by compression-molding doses of synthetic plastics from a forming arrangement of a forming unit and a supporting arrangement for rotatably supporting the transferring arrangement. In order to avoid blows and/or damage between the transferring arrangement and the forming arrangement, the apparatus includes a moving arrangement connected to the supporting arrangement and configured for moving the transferring arrangement at least between a first operating position nearer the forming unit, in which the transferring arrangement interacts with the forming arrangement to transfer the objects, and a second operating position, in which the transferring arrangement is spaced away from the forming unit so as not to interact with the forming arrangement.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus for a vehicle assembly plant having a base element that is displaceable on a transporting plane, at least two pedestal elements connected to the base element, where each pedestal element is rotatable about a rotational axis perpendicular to the transporting plane. In addition, a support element for holding a vehicle body is connected to each of the at least two pedestal elements, where the support element is moveable eccentrically with respect to the rotational axis of each pedestal element.

Abstract: A conveying means (1) is described having running rollers (7) which can be supported on a guide (2). At least one running roller (7) is mounted on a roller lever (12a) which can be pivoted between a first and a second position with the aid of a pivoting mechanism (13, 33) and can be locked in a position. In order to make a conveying means of this type simpler in structural terms and less susceptible to wear, it is proposed to equip the pivoting mechanism (13, 33) with a toggle lever (14) which is connected to an actuating element (21), wherein the toggle lever comprises a first and a second lever element (14a, 14b) which are connected to one another via a joint (15).

Abstract: An endless dough conveyor 16 is provided with a resin endless toothed belt 18 instead of a metal chain. A toothed pulley 22 around which the endless toothed belt is wound is also made of resin. A rail 64 is disposed adjacent to a horizontal path of the belt, and a roller 46 attached to the belt is adapted to roll on the rail. At least two induction motors are provided for driving the endless toothed belt. The induction motors are supplied with electric power from a single inverter 35. At least a pulley is provided with a detecting unit 80. The detecting unit 80 detects a state in which teeth of the endless toothed belt climb onto that of the pulley, thereby predicting breakage of the belt. Thus, it is possible to prevent contamination of dough in a proofer.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier device intended to be placed loosely on friction conveyors comprises a motion element. The motion element has a friction surface contacting a friction conveyor for the transfer of movement by means of friction forces. The motion element is connected with a carrier element through a connecting element. The connecting element further comprises a pressing element which exerts a contact pressure force from the carrier element on the motion element in the direction of the friction conveyor when the motion element is moved in the direction of transport.

Abstract: A food transport system and method are provided for transporting a packaged food item from one floor of a restaurant, such as a cooking or preparation floor, to another floor of the restaurant, such as a serving or dining floor. The food transport system includes a conveyor that transports a food-item supporting carrier along a closed-loop pathway. The carrier includes a rack with a plurality of spaced-apart food-item support members. On an upward portion of the pathway, the carrier passes a pick-up station having a pick-up rack with a plurality of spaced-apart food-item support members, the carrier support members passing between the pick-up support members to pick up the food item. On a downward portion of the pathway, the carrier rack passes through a drop-off rack in a similar manner, thus depositing the food item on the drop-off rack.

Abstract: A transport device having a preferably flat transport element and at least one basic carrier which is mounted on the basic carrier by rollers. At least one article carrier can be mounted. The transport element is driven stops along the transport element allow halting of at least some of the basic carrier.

Abstract: An endless dough conveyor 16 is provided with a resin endless toothed belt 18 instead of a metal chain. A toothed pulley 22 around which the endless toothed belt is wound is also made of resin. A rail 64 is disposed adjacent to a horizontal path of the belt, and a roller 46 attached to the belt is adapted to roll on the rail. At least two induction motors are provided for driving the endless toothed belt. The induction motors are supplied with electric power from a single inverter 35. At least a pulley is provided with a detecting unit 80. The detecting unit 80 detects a state in which teeth of the endless toothed belt climb onto that of the pulley, thereby predicting breakage of the belt. Thus, it is possible to prevent contamination of dough in a proofer.

Abstract: An off-loading conveyor of produce having utility in the discrimination and separation of watermelons includes a support structure defining a conveying path, an endless flexible element mounted on the support structure to extend and to move along the conveying path and support elements mounted to pivot from the conveying path and to move with the endless flexible element along the conveying path. The support elements are mounted to mounts which are attached to the endless flexible element. These elements are pivotally mounted to the mount and extend transversely across the conveying path of the conveyor from pivots in alternation from opposite sides of the conveying path. The support elements include elongate bodies which are pivoted adjacent one end and employ a rotatably mounted wheel adjacent the other end. The wheels define a conveying channel and are able to be lifted by cams upwardly to off load produce from either side of the conveyor.

Abstract: A positive displacement sorter includes a plurality of interconnected slats defining an endless web, an upper run of the web defining a conveying surface conveying articles in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of pusher shoes move along the slats to laterally displace articles on the conveying surface. The pusher shoes include a base and a member extending from the base below the conveying surface. At least one diverting rail extends diagonally under the conveying surface and at least one diverter is associated with the at least one diverting rail. The at least one diverter includes an actuator that selectively actuates the member toward at least one diverting rail. The at least one diverting rail has a terminal portion opposite the at least one diverter. The terminal portion includes an upper surface engaging an upper portion of the member and a lower surface engaging a lower portion of the member. The upper and lower surfaces direct the member in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A powered carousel shelving unit is configured to bring individual shelves to a standard handicap accessible height at a front access opening for viewing and selection of product on the shelves. Stationary guide tracks and complimentary tracking elements connected to the shelves are cooperative to tip the shelves forward as they approach and leave the access area so as to organize the product to the front of the shelves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chamber and a method for continuous thermal processing of products being conveyed through the chamber. The thermal processing could be quick-freezing of fish or similar food items. The invention relates more specifically to a device and a method for processing the food items by means of thermal convection directly from a conveyor belt combined with thermal convection from an additional thermal source such as from the surrounding air. The combination of thermal induction provides a good performance e.g. for freezing products fast. The invention further relates to a conveyer belt for form stabilising the food items during the thermal process.

Abstract: An articulating cabinet support assembly for a moving conveyor system includes a base assembly, fixed to the conveyor, and a movable support arm. A cabinet traveling down an assembly line is arranged on the support arm as the cabinet proceeds through various assembly stations. The support arm can articulate relative to the base assembly from a home, normally horizontal position to a position angled with respect to the direction of travel in order to enhance assembly procedures. An adjustable arm assembly including a cam roller and roller guide structure are provided to establish the home position and to counterbalance the weight of the cabinet. A tilt stop mechanism is employ to enable adjustments in the degree of pivoting of the support arm and provisions are made to automatically reposition the cabinet in the home position following various assembly stages.

Abstract: A separator and stacker apparatus and method for separating a completed stack of web product from a stack of product being built thereafter. Preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize a stack building carriage having a forked or slotted floor cooperating with a load finger assembly to discharge the completed product stack from the stack building carriage. The load finger assembly preferably has a set of load fingers which mesh with the carriage floor so that when the load finger assembly is actuated, the load fingers pass substantially unobstructed through the stack building carriage. The load finger assembly and the stack building carriage can therefore pass through their motions independently of one another, permitting the stack building carriage to return to a stack building position without waiting for the load finger assembly to retract.

Abstract: A bucket on a bucket conveyor has a movable member or wall movable to a laid down position for receiving a horizontally disposed item. The member or wall is moved to reorient the item into an upright position for loading into a carton with another item later introduced into the bucket on another side of the movable member from the first item. Multiple items, inserts and/or multiple products can be handled. Methods and apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A transport device in a packaging machine, in particular a tube filling machine, comprises an endless belt guided via at least two deflection pulleys on the outer side of which a plurality of supporting devices are disposed. One end of each supporting device is borne for pivoting on the endless belt via a bolt extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the endless belt with the opposite end engaging with the neighboring supporting device in a pivoting manner and also in a displaceable manner in the longitudinal direction of the endless belt. For precision bearing thereof, the supporting device is connected to the neighboring supporting device via at least one joint plate, connected to the supporting device for pivoting about a first axis and connected to the neighboring supporting device for pivoting about a second axis which is parallel thereto.

Abstract: A belt-type carrier system is described, that comprises a guide rail structure having straight and curved sections. The guide rail structure has at least one track extending therealong. A belt extends along the guide rail structure. A drive device is provided for driving the belt along the guide rail structure. A spring plate is put on and fixed to a part of the belt. A flexible mounting member is mounted on the spring plate. The flexible mounting member is flexed when an external stress is applied thereto. A carrier base structure is provided which has at least one follower that runs on the track of the guide rail structure when the carrier base structure moves along the guide rail structure. A universal joint structure is arranged between the flexible mounting member and the carrier base structure.

Abstract: A transportation arrangement includes a closed track with a chain running along the closed track. A plurality of base frames are arranged on the chain and move along the track by the chain which is powered by a motor. A plurality of counter frames are each pivotally connected to a pivot edge of one of the base frames where the pivot edge of the base frames is arranged at a radially inside edge of the base frames with respect to the closed track. A lifting station is arranged at the closed track, with the chains moving the base frames into and away from the lifting station. A lifting jack in the lifting station raises a lifting edge of the counter frames located at the lifting station. The lifting jack pivots the counter frame about the pivot edge of the base frame. The base frames are attached to a portion of the chain, and are rotatable with respect to the portion of the chain to which the respective base frames are attached.

Abstract: An as molded thermoplastic container (10) having a body portion (12) and a moil (16) extending outwardly from a rim (14) of the container, the moil and the body portion being molded integrally with one another. The moil has an opposed pair of outwardly projecting shoulders (18, 20) by which the container is supported from a spaced apart pair of rails (22, 24) as the container moves along a path of travel (A). The lateral extent of the moil along the path of travel is substantially equal to and aligned with the lateral extent of the body portion along the path of travel, whereby a plurality of like containers will move along the path of travel with the longitudinal central axes of the containers parallel with one another.

Abstract: A separator and stacker apparatus and method for separating a completed stack of web product from a stack of product being built thereafter. Preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize a stack building carriage having a forked or slotted floor cooperating with a load finger assembly to discharge the completed product stack from the stack building carriage. The load finger assembly preferably has a set of load fingers which mesh with the carriage floor so that when the load finger assembly is actuated, the load fingers pass substantially unobstructed through the stack building carriage. The load finger assembly and the stack building carriage can therefore pass through their motions independently of one another, permitting the stack building carriage to return to a stack building position without waiting for the load finger assembly to retract.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for transporting and reorienting items between two locations. The apparatus includes first and second upstanding members each having a first end and a second end. The first and second upstanding members are joined together at the first ends by a third member to form a frame. A track is formed in the first, second and third members which defines a path which spans at least 180 degrees and a set of four sprockets interact with the track. A movable member is positioned within the track and is looped around the set of four sprockets. An integral carrier is secured to the movable member. The integral carrier includes first and second members each having a first end, and a third member affixed to the first ends of the first and second members to form a nonadjustable, approximately C-shaped configuration wherein the first and second members are permanently spaced apart from one another and aligned in a parallel relationship.

Abstract: A high efficiency mechanical transducer assembly including a primary drive assembly defined by at least one but preferably a plurality of synchronized conveyors being vertically oriented and structured to travel in a continuous path which is defined in part by a downward path segment and an upward path segment. A plurality of elongate arms are movably coupled at proximal ends thereof so as to move with each of said conveyors and relative thereto such that the arms automatically assume a collapsed position when travelling along the upward path segment and an outwardly extended position when travelling along the downward path segment.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt has a plurality of link members interconnected so that the conveyor belt is movable along a path (22) curved essentially in the plane of the conveyor belt and also about a guide roller whose axis is parallel to the plane of the conveyor belt. Product carriers (17) are supported successively by the link members and are essentially rigid in the plane of the conveyor belt; however, they are movable, together with the conveyor belt, about the guide roller. Each product carrier is longer, in the longitudinal direction of the extension of the conveyor belt, than each link member.

Abstract: A dolly for use in a straight sided flat bottom conveyor pan. The dolly is comprised of a frame, a pair of inner wheels and a pair of outer wheels. The inner wheels travel on an inner track of a conveyor pan and the outer wheels travel on an outer track of the conveyor pan. The leading wheels are secured to the frame along an axis which is coincident with a radius R. The trailing wheels are secured to the frame along an axis which coincident with a radius R.sup.1. The radii define an acute angle which will vary depending upon the actual dimensions of a curve through which the dolly will travel.

Abstract: A material handling system includes a depalletizer comprising a tower frame and a tilt bed which extends into the tower frame and is tilted to a predetermined angle. A lift bed raises a loaded pallet to the level of an exit conveyor. A back dam is disposed opposite the exit conveyor and is movably mounted to the frame to exert a stop against a layer of articles to be removed. An endless collector belt, mounted to the tower frame, extends over a slidable frame provided with a polygon shaped roller. The endless belt simultaneously rotates and moves between a position adjacent the exit conveyor and a position adjacent the back dam to remove the entire layer of articles.

Abstract: A material handling system includes a depalletizer comprising a tower frame and a tilt bed which extends into the tower frame and is tilted to a predetermined angle. A lift bed raises a loaded pallet to the level of an exit conveyor. A back dam is disposed opposite the exit conveyor and is movably mounted to the frame to exert a stop against a layer of articles to be removed. An endless collector belt is mounted to the tower frame and simultaneously rotates and moves between a position adjacent the exit conveyor and a position adjacent the back dam to remove the entire layer of articles.

Abstract: A tipping arrangement in a sorting system includes a carriage body, a shaft connected to the carriage body, a projection secured to the carriage body, and a component pivotally connected to the shaft to be tippable out of a locked base position into at least one tipped position. An actuating apparatus is provided for tipping the component and includes at least one resilient yoke having a first end rigidly secured to the component, and a second end displaceable within a limited range relative to the component. The yoke includes a latching lug defining a stop surface and being located between the first end and the second end. The stop surface engages with the projection for latching the yoke to lock the component in the locked base position. At least one actuating rod is hinged to the second end of the yoke. The at least one actuating rod unlatches the yoke and tips the component into the tipped position.

Abstract: An improved snubber assembly for interconnecting a driving conveyor assembly to a driven conveyor assembly. The snubber assembly includes a shield tube adapted to be attached to the driven conveyor assembly, a cylinder structure, a piston, and a piston rod. The cylinder structure includes a hollow inboard end portion defining a cylinder bore and slidably received in the bore of the shield tube and a solid outboard end portion closing the outboard end of the cylinder bore and positioned outside of the tube bore for attachment to the driving conveyor assembly. The piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder bore and a clevis is secured to the outboard end of the piston rod and fixedly mounted within the bore of the shield tube by a pin passing through the walls of the tube and through the clevis.

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a lower surface and a number of article supporting surfaces, each of which is tiltably attached to the lower surface. Inflatable chambers are defined in the belt, the article supporting surfaces being disposed to tilt upon inflation of the inflatable chambers. An article conveyor system includes a belt having a lower surface and article supporting surfaces tiltably attached to the lower surface, a conveyor bed for supporting the belt during motion along a predetermined path, and an apparatus for selectively introducing pressurized air between the lower surface and each of the article supporting surfaces for tilting the article supporting surfaces, thereby causing an article on the selectively tilted article supporting surfaces to be discharged.

Abstract: A tiltable tray apparatus of a sorting conveyor installation for depositing unit loads by a swiveling movement from a horizontal transporting position into a tilting position with a conveyor device, on which the tray is arranged by a supporting member which extends in a vertical direction in the transporting position. A ball joint is provided at the supporting member for swiveling movement of the tray, and two knee levers are arranged between the tray and the conveyor device adjacent to the supporting member at both sides thereof as seen in the conveying direction and connected with the conveyor device and the tray by a joint in each instance. The joints at the knee levers have one end constructed as ball joints and another end as hinge joints, each hinge joint having a swivel axis which is aligned parallel to an opposite tilting axis extending through an articulation point of the ball joint of the supporting member and an articulation point of the other knee lever.

Abstract: The sorting plant has two loops (2,102) on which endless cart chains (4,104) circulate. The loops (2,102) extend parallel and adjacent to each other at a transfer station (100). The cart chains (4,104) are driven by synchronized drives (6,106) in such a way that two carts (5,105) move exactly adjacent to each other at the transfer station (100). The second loop (2) is extended along a somewhat lower elevation at this location. By tipping the receptacles (113,114) of a cart (105) on the first loop (102), unit load (10) occupying the same is directly transferred onto the cart (5) of the second loop (2) that moves exactly adjacent to it. This arrangement makes it possible to load one gross distribution facility (101) and two fine distribution facilities (1,1a) in a mail distribution center in a reasonable manner and with small spatial requirements.

Abstract: A turret assembly is movable in X and Y and a turret of the assembly is rotatable to position a selected one of a plurality of spindles at a transfer station of the turret. The selected spindle is telescopic to pick a component from a supply point and to place the component at a placement point on a circuit board or the like. An assembly for squaring, centering, orienting, and/or testing a component being held by another spindle of the turret is actuated generally concurrently with extending of the selected spindle. Alternatively, the spindle at the transfer station may be retained in the retracted position during actuation of the squaring assembly. Much time is saved by loading components on the plurality of the spindles of the turret at one or more supply stations and then placing all of these components without the need for transferring back and forth between the supply and P.C. board.