Abstract: A V-belt pulley includes a plurality of rib guides projected along a circumferential surface of the V-belt pulley; and an alignment corrector that moves a V-belt in a direction towards an inside of the V-belt pulley when a rib of the V-belt is positioned outside of an outermost rib guide of the plurality of rib guides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of cleaning a lipseal and/or cup bottom of an electroplating device by removing metal deposits accumulated in prior electroplating operations. The methods may include orienting a nozzle such that it is pointed substantially at the inner circular edge of the lipseal and/or cup bottom, and dispensing a stream of cleaning solution from the nozzle such that the stream contacts the inner circular edge of the lipseal and/or cup bottom while they are being rotated, removing metal deposits. In some embodiments, the stream has a velocity component against the rotational direction of the lipseal and/or cup bottom. In some embodiments, the deposits may include a tin/silver alloy. Also disclosed herein are cleaning apparatuses for mounting in electroplating devices and for removing electroplated metal deposits from their lipseals and/or cup bottoms. In some embodiments, the cleaning apparatuses may include a jet nozzle.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.

Abstract: A belt-drive device includes a roller, a belt, and a meandering prevention member. The roller is rotatable about an axis. The belt is wound on an outer circumferential surface of the roller. The meandering prevention member is attached to an end of the roller and abuts a side of the belt in the direction of the axis. The meandering prevention member is elastically deformable and has an annular shape. The meandering prevention member has an inner circumferential surface whose diameter is less than an outer diameter of the roller before the meandering prevention member is attached to the roller.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multi-piece shaft for an idler roller. The method includes providing a tube having a first end and a second end, mechanically crimping the first end of the tube to a first stub to secure the first stub to the first end of the tube with a mechanical interlock, and mechanically crimping the second end of the tube to a second stub to secure the second stub to the second end of the tube with a mechanical interlock. The first stub extends from the first end of the tube and the second stub extends from the second end of the tube.

Abstract: A tracking apparatus and method for urging a mistracking conveyor belt back towards a correct travel path are provided. The apparatus and method both utilize downstream shifting of an end portion of an idler roller due to mistracking of the conveyor belt for directing or steering the belt back toward its correct travel path and a reaction force from the belt due to the steering thereof for energizing a tilting action of the idler roller to raise the downstream end portion thereof. In this manner, the tilting of the idler roller is not mechanically coupled to the downstream shifting of the roller end portion allowing the belt tracking apparatus herein to be bi-directional for use with conveyor belts that may be run in opposite travel directions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple suspension bridge type belt conveyor, which includes a simple suspension bridge body, a conveyor belt, a trough support roller apparatus and a circular support roller apparatus. There are multiple supporting pillars beneath the simple suspension bridge body. The trough support rollers apparatus and the circular support roller apparatus are fixed on the simple suspension bridge body. The conveyor conveys materials on the conveyor belt, which is moving through the trough support rollers apparatus and the circular support roller apparatus. By means of aforementioned way, the simple suspension bridge type belt conveyor with respect to the present invention, is able to make the conveyor belt pass over the pillars of simple suspension bridge without overstressing the conveyor belt, and has lower manufacturing cost and higher conveying efficiency.

Abstract: An alignment system for a conveyor having a conveyor belt trained over rollers on a conveyor frame where the system includes a support bracket including a center support and pivoting members each including a torque arm, the pivoting members being pivotally mounted to opposing ends of the support bracket. Two tracking rollers are independently mounted to the support bracket, where each of the tracking rollers includes a shaft with an inner end and an outer end, the outer ends of the shafts being coupled to the pivoting members and the inner ends being coupled to the center support such that pivoting movement of the pivoting members causes the tracking rollers to pivot relative to the center support. A guide control bar having two ends is pivotally connected at each the end to a corresponding torque arm connected to the corresponding pivoting member, where the guide control bar includes guide rollers positioned at both edges of the conveyor belt for lateral control of the belt.

Abstract: A center loading assembly for a conveyor belt having a carriage support attached to a belt conveyor main frame and having a carriage within the carriage support. The carriage has a center member with side members extending at an angle therefrom, each having an upward extension. The upward extensions have side rollers and conveyor belt covering skirts and keep the conveyor belt centered between the conveyor belt covering skirts. The carriage support has vertical bearings to support the carriage and side bearings to hold the carriage on the vertical bearings. The carriage and conveyor belt covering skirts follow a trough angle of the conveyor belt as the conveyor belt shifts. Material deposited onto the conveyor belt is deflected to the center portion of the conveyor belt by the conveyor belt covering skirts.

Abstract: A conveyor device with an elastic load-bearing means guided between a drive and a return roller which are spaced apart parallel to and opposite one another, wherein the load-bearing means circulates endlessly in a carrying run and a lower run, is flexible in all directions and is configured to receive articles to be conveyed, and which can be driven in a conveying direction by drive trains disposed on longitudinal edges of the load-bearing means, characterised in that a support means for the carrying run is located between the carrying run and the lower run, wherein the drive trains are stretched to a greater extent than a region of the load-bearing means located between them.

Abstract: A conveyor alignment system including pivoting members that support tracking rollers at corresponding shaft ends. Each shaft end being pivotally and non-rotatably attached to corresponding pivoting members by a rotating bushing mounted in a corresponding one of the pivoting members. A guide control bar is pivotally connected at each end to a corresponding torque arm, where the bar includes guide rollers positioned at both edges of the conveyor belt for lateral control of the belt. A spacer is mounted to the support bracket and has a designated height. The spacer deflects the support bracket by the height so that a first end of the shaft is closer to the a first side of the belt than an opposing, second end of the shaft to increase the tension of the rollers on the first side of the belt and reduce the tension of the rollers on another side of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for supporting a flat belt member. The apparatus includes a drum member rotatable about a longitudinal axis of rotation and comprising an outer support surface that generally increases in diameter from a first end region to a central region and decreases in diameter from the central region to a further end region. The central region includes a groove in the support surface which extends circumferentially around the drum member. A ring member is located in the groove.

Abstract: An alignment system for a conveyor having a conveyor belt trained over rollers on a conveyor frame, is provided and includes pivoting members each mounted on a corresponding support bracket, the pivoting members configured for supporting tracking rollers at corresponding tracking roller shaft ends, each shaft end pivotally and non-rotatably attached to corresponding pivoting members by a rotating bushing mounted in a corresponding pivoting member; and a guide control bar having two ends being pivotally connected at each end to a corresponding torque arm connected to the corresponding pivoting member. The bar includes guide rollers positioned at both edges of the conveyor belt for lateral control of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt training idler comprise a mount, a roller support frame, a roller, and a locking mechanism. The roller support frame is pivotally attached to the mount about a support frame axis for pivotal movement relative to the mount. The roller is rotatably attached to the roller support frame for rotation about a roller axis. The roller axis is pivotal with the roller support frame about the support frame axis relative to the mount. The locking mechanism has a plurality of discrete settings, each setting being configured and adapted to maintain the roller support frame at a discrete angular setting relative to the mount.

Abstract: A roller assembly for supporting a moving belt and including at least one roller mounted for rotation about a roller axis; and a support arrangement, the roller assembly being mounted on the support arrangement for pivotal displacement about a pivot point, characterized in that the belt tracking regulator includes guide means operable, in use, to constrain the pivotal displacement of the roller assembly to move in a plane containing the pivot and tilted at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal plane defined through the pivot point.

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: The present invention relates to a conveyor belt alignment system comprising pivoting members mounted on a support bracket adaptedly operating through a guide control bar having guide rollers for controlling lateral movements of the belt, the control bar activating the pivoting members through torque arms thereby continuously monitoring the axis of the belt and thereby re-positioning as needed.

Abstract: A conveyor system comprising an endless conveyor belt (5) having a plurality of mechanical conveyor means (12) projecting from a top surface thereof and a delivery tube (1) having an intake end and a discharge end for receiving a delivery portion of the endless belt and a return tube (10) extending along the delivery tube for receiving a return portion of the endless belt. A drive assembly (6, 7) is mechanically connected to the endless belt for rotating it for moving it in the tubes. Means (9) are arranged to guide the endless belt into the return tube with a bottom surface (14) of the belt following at least the upper portion of the return tube when moving through the return tube. The return tube is designed and dimensioned with respect to the width of said belt so as to support transversal end portions of the belt by return tube portions from below when the belt moves through the return tube while following the upper portion thereof.

Abstract: A device for automatic centering of a conveyor with belts supported by chain flexible rollers is disclosed. The device includes a central attachment receiving rollers with a V-shaped angular orientation. The device also includes a rocking lever subjected to a displacement along a curved trajectory according to variation in altitude. The lever cooperates at its lower end with a fixing lug secured to a tensioning cable mounted to the frame bearing the conveyor. The invention is characterized in that the rollers (20) of the central attachment are mounted for rotation on their independent shafts (21) and the shafts are detachably secured to the central attachment by a central fastening device or stirrup (22). The central fastening device (22) is attached to a fastening device (23). Fastening device (23) is adapted to receive rocking lever (24), which is mounted to the cable by fixing lug (25).

Abstract: A device for automatic centering of a conveyor with belts supported by chain flexible rollers is disclosed. The device includes a central attachment receiving rollers with a V-shaped angular orientation. The device also includes a rocking lever subjected to a displacement along a curved trajectory according to variation in altitude. The lever cooperates at its lower end with a fixing lug secured to a tensioning cable mounted to the frame bearing the conveyor. The invention is characterized in that the rollers (20) of the central attachment are mounted for rotation on their independent shafts (21) and the shafts are detachably secured to the central attachment by central linking means (22). Linking means (22) is attached to fastening means (23). Fastening means (23) is adapted to receive rocking lever (24), which is mounted to the cable by fixing lug (25).

Abstract: A troughing idler for use in supporting a conveyor belt of a troughed belt conveyor system in which the troughing idler includes a pair of spaced center rolls and a pair of angled side troughing rolls. The pair of center rolls are mounted to a pivot bracket and their axes of rotation are spaced from each other by a span length. The center rolls are selected such that each center roll has the same outer diameter. The size of the center rolls is selected such that the outer diameter of the center rolls is greater than the outer diameter of each side troughing roll. The increase in the outer diameter of the center rolls relative to the outer diameter of the side troughing rolls reduces the amount of indentation resistance for the troughing idler. The troughing idler further includes a pivot limiting mechanism that limits the amount of clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the pivot brackets used to support the pair of center rolls.

Abstract: A conveyor belt alignment device comprises an idler roller mounted relative to a conveyor belt, the idler roller having a first cylindrical portion extending over the conveyor belt proximate an edge thereof, and a second cylindrical portion abutting against an edge of the conveyor belt for preventing lateral movement of the conveyor belt relative thereto. The idler roller is biased toward the conveyor belt in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by an upper surface of the conveyor belt to allow debris to pass between the idler roller and the conveyor belt and thus reduce damage to the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt idler support includes a fixed frame having support idlers for a return path of the belt. A movable frame is mounted on the fixed frame and is tiltable to support the carrying portion of the belt with a varying degree of tilt to allow the belt extend in a curved path around corners. The fixed frame has a projecting bracket carrying support rollers which extends into a hollow box portion at the center of the movable frame adjacent the middle to support most of the load on the movable frame. The movable frame has a center section and outwardly and upwardly sloping side sections each carrying idlers to define a trough for the belt. At one side, the movable frame carries a upwardly extending guide roller to limit lateral movement of the belt and allow the belt to apply a lateral force to the movable frame to tilt it about the support roller.

Abstract: During an initial setting period, if there is a tendency for a belt to move sideways due to tolerance when components are assembled in the initial setting, inclination in the axial direction of a driven roller can be changed after the components are assembled, to adjust degree of tension at both end portions in the transverse direction of the belt wound at a driven roller. Accordingly, the tendency for the belt to move sideways caused during assembly of the components can be corrected. Further, when there are changes over time (reduced elasticity of the belt, changes in the positioned state of rollers, or the like), sideways movement may occur during operation. However, in these cases, since a tapered auxiliary roller is attached at each of end portions in the axial direction of the rollers so as to be able to rotate relatively to the respective roller that is the base body thereof, when the belt moves sideways onto the auxiliary rollers the belt can be promptly returned to its original position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for correcting the run of a belt automatically, in particular, for item sorting systems, having a rotatable adjusting roller which can be adjusted in its inclination, wherein, via a lever arm of the adjusting roller mount and a spring force acting on the lever arm, a torque is generated at the rotary axis to adjust the inclination of the adjusting roller. This torque compensates for the torque which is exerted on the adjusting roller mount via the adjusting roller by the belt tension during a centered run of the belt.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for training a troughing conveyor belt are provided. The apparatus includes a training roller enclosing a concentric shaft. The training roller is rotatably connected to the shaft. In addition, the training roller is pivotable relative to the shaft about a pivot axis that is transverse the longitudinal axis of the shaft. The training roller engages the conveyor belt so that the conveyor belt rotates the training roller. When the conveyor belt is properly aligned, the force of the belt against the training roller is equally distributed on both sides of the pivot axis of the training roller. When the belt becomes misaligned, the training roller pivots in response to the unequal force of the conveyor belt on opposite sides of the pivot axis. The belt then travels down the pivoted roller, thereby realigning the belt. The shaft is rotatable between two positions. Rotating the shaft also rotates the pivot axis of the training roller.

Abstract: A tracking assembly for mounting to a support frame of a conveyor belt installation in order to keep the conveyor belt which travels thereon centrally aligned includes a sub-frame adapted to be mounted to a support frame of a conveyor belt installation. A plurality of independently rotatable idlers are mounted for rotation on the sub-frame to support the conveyor belt of the installation in position. The idlers are aligned generally parallel to each other spaced apart from each other across the width of the belt, with the sub-frame and idlers being mounted to the support frame generally transverse to the length of the belt. Each of the idlers include a support shaft, an outer drum rotatably supported on the shaft, and a pivot assembly located within the drum defining a pivot axis about which the drum is pivotable relative to the shaft, the pivot axis being perpendicular to the belt which in use travels on the idler.

Abstract: A belt steering assembly for centering of conveyor belts (5) comprises a mechanism with steering rollers (1) and guide rollers (9). In the event of a lateral misalignment of the belt (5), the belt's movement will be transferred from the guide rollers (9) to the steering rollers (1), with the result that the steering rollers return the belt to a neutral position. Preferred ratios are described between different lengths of a lever arm (6) for transfer of the movement. A method for loading of a conveyor belt comprises moving the conveyor belt (5) laterally before loading to a position where the centre of gravity of the loaded material (15) falls on the conveyor belt's central portion (12), and after loading steering the conveyor belt laterally to its neutral position.

Abstract: An improved enclosed belt conveyor system for transferring material with a minimum of dust and energy consumption. An alignment device having an external adjustment mechanism to adjust dynamically balanced spools, which are mounted on a shaft is terminated in the alignment devices. The belts for the conveyed material are in an enclosed structure while the bearings and the bearing adjustment mechanisms are external of the enclosed structure, which encloses the spools and the belts thereby limiting the debris or dust to which bearings are subjected. The balanced flared spools have closed and sealed ends, thereby totally eliminating air turbulence, within the structure. Turbulence will accentuate dust movement within the enclosure. This invention permits the alignment of each individual roller while maintaining the cones of the spools and bearings in a dust free environment as possible.

Abstract: A conveyor belt support maintains a conveyor belt in a central position. Support rollers for the conveyor belt are provided. Additionally, an underside, edge portion of the conveyor belt acts on at least one conical alignment roller that extends transversely to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt, and acts to hold the conveyor belt in the central position. The rollers are supported by a rotary frame that is pivotable relative to a stationary base frame when the conveyor belt shifts sideways out of the central position. A hydraulic drive is provided for pivoting the rotary frame when the conveyor belt shift sideways. Two hydraulic pumps are provided, each driven by one of the alignment rollers to provide a pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic drive via a two-pressure valve. One of the pumps is driven with a rotational speed that depends on the amount of shifting of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A return roller assembly for the return flight of a continuous belt of a bulk conveyor, the return roller assembly having a center roller and a pair of end rollers, the center roller being mounted horizontally and the end rollers being mounted such that the upper most portion of the inner ends are at the same vertical level as the uppermost part of the center roller and the uppermost part of the outer ends of the end rollers are below the vertical level, the center and end rollers defining a shallow, inverted, trough-like supporting shape for the return flight.

Abstract: A twist correction device for a pipe conveyor having an endless transfer belt whose at least part is rounded in a pipe shape enclosing therein a material to be transferred. The device includes a plurality of correction rollers obliquely inclined relative to the transfer direction of the transfer belt and in pressure contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe-shaped transfer belt to apply correcting force to the belt for correcting twisting of the belt. The device further includes two roller support frames supporting the plurality of correction rollers and pivotally connected to a stationary support frame rotatably about axes perpendicular to the transfer direction of the transfer belt. The device includes an angle adjusting device provided on the stationary support frame for adjusting rotated angles of the roller support frames about the axes, thereby correcting twisting of the pipe-shaped transfer belt. The angle adjusting device is manually driven or automatically power driven.

Abstract: A belt conveyor having an automatic centering device for a conveyor belt supported on flexible rollers has a central fastening for moving the rollers in curved trajectory by rotation of a pivotable lever around a fixed axis. This movement along the curved trajectory allows the toe-in of the rollers to be altered as a function of the load on the belt, to reduce the toe-in when the load increases and increase the toe-in as the load decreases.

Abstract: A twist correction device for a pipe conveyor having an endless transfer belt whose at least part is rounded in a pipe shape enclosing therein a material to be transferred. The device includes a plurality of correction rollers obliquely inclined relative to the transfer direction of the transfer belt and in pressure contact with the outer circumferential surface of the pipe-shaped transfer belt to apply correcting force to the belt for correcting twisting of the belt. The device further includes two roller support frames supporting the plurality of correction rollers and pivotally connected to a stationary support frame rotatably about axes perpendicular to the transfer direction of the transfer belt. The device includes an angle adjusting device provided on the stationary support frame for adjusting rotated angles of the roller support frames about the axes, thereby correcting twisting of the pipe-shaped transfer belt. The angle adjusting device is manually driven or automatically power driven.

Abstract: A training idler assembly for a self-unloading train including a first hopper car, a second hopper car, a connector extending between the first hopper car and the second hopper car, a conveyor having a supply run and a return run underlying the first and second hopper cars, and a conveyor training assembly rotatably mounted to the connector. The connector allows relative angular movement of the first and second hopper cars. The conveyor training assembly supports the conveyor. The conveyor training assembly causes an angular adjustment of the conveyor relative to the angular movement of the first hopper car with respect to the second hopper car. The conveyor training assembly is an idler assembly which is rotatably mounted to the connector between the first and second hopper cars. The idler assembly includes a first training idler assembly which supports the supply run of the conveyor and a second training idler assembly supporting the return run of the conveyor.

Abstract: A one-piece replacement sleeve is provided for installation on a conveyor belt roller to prolong the roller's wear life. The cylindrical, split sleeve has a central bore to receive the roller and circumferential grooves in the outer surface to receive fastening circlets to fasten the sleeve to the roller. The sleeve has two radial slits oppositely disposed and extending axially along the entire length of the sleeve to facilitate easy installation and replacement of the sleeve. The slits allow the sleeve to be installed on the roller without the need to remove the roller from its journal mountings. The slits also allow the worn sleeve to be quickly and easily removed by cutting or otherwise removing the fastening circlets. Since the sleeve is formed of one piece of material, the sleeve wears concentrically, reducing vibrations in the conveyor belt assembly. The sleeve provides significant improvements over roller discs and two-piece roller sleeves in the prior art.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveying method and a conveyor apparatus for the inclined conveyance including the vertical conveyance of materials by superposed two belts and pinching and holding the material to be conveyed between the belts. The present conveying method is characterized by the fact that two belts which are oppositely arranged are superposed. Tensile forces in the direction of the width of the belts is applied to the said superposed belts. Pinching and holding forces for pinching and holding the material to be conveyed between the belts is generated in the superposed belts by the tensile forces, and the material to be conveyed is conveyed by moving the superposed belts in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The invention involves flanged rollers which engage the lateral sides of the upper and lower runs of an endless, flexible belt conveyor which traverses a curved path to control movement of the belt laterally of the path of travel.

Abstract: A flexible support for supporting a conveyor belt of a conveyor having a frame. The flexible support includes at least one flexible element extending beneath a portion of the width of the conveyor belt, which flexible element is attached in the region of the ends thereof to the frame of the conveyor. The length of the flexible element is greater than the linear distance between the attached ends of the flexible element and the flexible element delimits support areas for supporting a portion of the width of the conveyor belt extending at least on opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal median plane of the conveyor. The at least opposite side support areas of the flexible element are responsive to the travel of the conveyor belt for being drawn in the travel direction independently of one another.

Abstract: A self-centering idler assembly is disclosed for a troughing conveyor belt. The idler assembly comprises a support frame and a gravity influenced pendulum cradle rocking supported on the frame for pivotable movement about a generally horizontal axis. A pair of rollers is rotatably mounted to the pendulum cradle along inclined axes above the horizontal axis. So constructed, bidirectional movements of a troughing conveyor belt supported upon the pair of rollers cause the cradle and inclined rollers to swing and bidirectionally train the belt.