Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly loading vehicles or other load carrying compartments has an extensible conveyor attached to a base frame by means of a wheel and track design. The load may be applied to the extensible conveyor from any direction by a variety of means. Items are applied to the extensible conveyor until the load is substantially equivalent to the maximum load capacity of the load carrying compartment. The conveyor is then extended into the compartment and retracted. As it retracts, the load remains within the compartment. The device preferably has a number of safety features to avoid accidents.

Abstract: The invention concerns an accumulator device having a general U-shape consisting of two parallel endless belt conveyors, communicating through an endless belt conveyor with semicircular trajectory borne by a mobile carriage driven by a translation movement parallel to said parallel conveyors.

Abstract: Storage apparatus has a carriage which can be displaced along a conveying plane, while deflecting rollers subdivide an endless conveyer into a storage strand and an idle strand. A first deflector deflects the idle strand from the conveying plane into a parallel plane spaced apart therefrom while a second deflector is used to transfer the deflected idle strand into the storage strand. The storage apparatus provides space-saving and high-capacity storage without belt crossovers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a deflecting arrangement having a first deflecting element (34) for deflecting conveyable-article carriers (7), and having a second deflecting element (50) for deflecting an endless drive belt (9) for driving the conveyable-article carriers (7) in an overhead conveying arrangement, the deflecting arrangement (3′) forming one of two deflecting stations around which the endless drive belt (9), which is driven for movement, runs as a loop, and the endless drive belt (9) being guided along the route region from deflecting station to deflecting station for carrying along conveyable-article carriers along the conveying route of the overhead conveying arrangement. For the purpose of adjusting the tensioning of the drive belt (9), the second deflecting element (50) is arranged on a mount (30) such that it can be displaced relative to the first deflecting element (34).

Abstract: An outer extendable boom or extension is implemented on an extendable conveyor of conventional design, which includes at least two extendable units, each of which is nested within the next inwardly positioned unit and adjustably positioned between an extended position and a retracted position. The outer boom includes a pair of opposite side members which extend within an outer conventional extendable unit and a conveying surface. A support system is provided to support the outer boom as it extends and retracts within the outer extendable unit. A forward support member of the support system is laterally aligned with the side members and a cantilever support member is vertically spaced from a rearward end of the side members, such that a reduced range in width and a reduced range in height of the extendable units may be achieved.

Abstract: An elongated bridge-like member which normally assumes an operative position in which it prevents access to a track for the advancement of finished or partly finished cigarette packs between two successive stations in a packing machine is designed to have its length reduced prior to being movable—without colliding with parts at the stations—from the operative position to an inoperative position in which the track and the cigarette packs in the track are accessible. To this end, the bridge-like member has two carriages each of which includes one of the two end portions of the fully extended bridge-like member; each carriage is movable toward the end portion forming part of the other carriage. A locking device must be disengaged in order to permit movement of the bridge-like member from the operative to the inoperative postion.

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 feed conveyor is operable in a first direction to deposit a stream of articles across a width of a downstream conveyor operating along a second direction, the second direction being at an angle to the first direction. The feed conveyor is an extendable conveyor that is accurately controlled for circulating speed, extension speed and retraction speed, to deposit articles transversely onto the downstream conveyor in a tightly spaced, grid pattern. The extension and retraction speed are controlled by a first servomotor and the conveying speed of the feed conveyor is controlled by a second servomotor.

Abstract: An outer extendable boom or extension is implemented on an extendable conveyor of conventional design, which includes at least two extendable units, each of which is nested within the next inwardly positioned unit and adjustably positioned between an extended position and a retracted position. The outer boom includes a pair of opposite side members which extend within an outer conventional extendable unit and a conveying surface. A support system is provided to support the outer boom as it extends and retracts within the outer extendable unit. A forward support member of the support system is laterally aligned with the side members and a cantilever support member is vertically spaced from a rearward end of the side members, such that a reduced range in width and a reduced range in height of the extendable units may be achieved.

Abstract: A storage apparatus for storing goods (G) conveyed along a conveying section from an entry station to an exit station has a flexible conveying means (1), which is subdivided into a storage strand (10, 10′) and an idle strand (11, 11′, 12, 12′), and a carriage (2) which can be displaced along a conveying plane. The carriage (2) serves for changing a storage capacity of the storage apparatus, it being the case that the carriage (2) has a first deflecting roller (21) for deflecting the storage strand (10, 10′), and a second deflecting roller (21′) for deflecting the idle strand (11, 11′), in the at least one conveying plane.

Abstract: An outer extendable boom or extension is implemented on an extendable conveyor of conventional design, which includes at least two extendable units, each of which is nested within the next inwardly positioned unit and adjustably positioned between an extended position and a retracted position. The outer boom includes a pair of opposite side members which extend within an outer conventional extendable unit and a conveying surface. A support system is provided to support the outer boom as it extends and retracts within the outer extendable unit. A forward support member of the support system is laterally aligned with the side members and a cantilever support member is vertically spaced from a rearward end of the side members, such that a reduced range in width and a reduced range in height of the extendable units may be achieved.

Abstract: An extensible conveyor system that uses idler shuttles that include a base with sides, a front section and a rear section, and a mechanism that allows the frame to be moved along a support, these mechanisms may be wheels, slides, bearings, bushings, or other carriers, the sides of the base being generally symmetrical. The idler shuttles also include an idler support frame that extends from the base at an angle, the angle may be perpendicular or any other angle, the idler support frame being mounted between the front portion and the rear portion, the front portion of the base being adapted for nesting within the rear portion of the base, so that several of the support frames can be nested against one another to reduce the overall space taken up by the shuttles when the conveyor system is in a retracted position.

Abstract: A livestock loading/unloading system for transporting livestock from/to a confinement area to/from a transport vehicle to allow transport from farm-to-farm, from farm-to-processing plant or from processing plant-to-farm. The livestock loading/unloading system includes a mobile conveying apparatus whereby the livestock ride a conveyor from/to the confinement area to/from a transport vehicle. Such a transport vehicle may be specially adapted for use in conjunction with the conveying apparatus, or may be of the conventional livestock transporting type. The conveying apparatus includes a telescoping end that extends into and retracts from the coops of the transport vehicle. A system of hydraulics controls the speed of the conveyor, aids in the transverse leveling of the machine, adjusts both the angle and tier of loading, and levels and controls the telescoping end of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously transferring orderly sequences of preforms includes a closed-loop conveyor belt and a plurality of support and forward carrying elements. A loading station is provided for loading the preforms, while an unloading station is provided for separating the preforms from the elements. A temperature conditioning station is provided between the loading station and unloading station.

Abstract: In the store at the inlet of the transport sector (11) is situated the first drive mechanism (21) of the conveyor (8) which is controlled by and connected to a fullness sensor (22) assembled in the input station (16) via a control unit, and at exit of the transport sector (11) is situated a second drive mechanism (23) of the conveyor (8) which is controlled by and connected to a fullness sensor (24) assembled in the output station (17) via a control unit, while the transport sector (11) is defined by two, active and passive, identical support guide mechanisms (10, 15) for the conveyor (8), consist of independent disc modules (6) rotary assembled on the axes (5, 14), moreover the return sector (9) consists of two, active and passive, identical support guide mechanisms (7, 13) of the conveyor (8), that consist also of independent disc modules (6) rotary assembled on the axes (4, 12), while the axis (5) of the active support guide mechanism (10) in the transport sector (11) is fixed to the axis (4) of the active

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles includes an infeed conveyor and an outfeed conveyor spaced apart from the infeed conveyor to define a space therebetween. A movable transport member is disposed across and movable along the space. Transport member includes a rotatable member drivingly engaged by the infeed and outfeed conveyors so as to rotate as either of the infeed and outfeed conveyors move. The transport member travels along the space if a relative speed difference exists between the infeed and outfeed conveyors. An article transfer member is carried by the transport member and is disposed between the infeed and outfeed conveyors to transfer articles between the conveyors as the rotatable member rotates.

Abstract: A portable telescoping radial stacking conveyor for stacking bulk material such as aggregate, sand, coal, wood chips, grain, and similar materials has a fully extended length of 150 feet and a towing length of 80 feet or less. The unit may be converted from a highway transportable configuration to an operating configuration by one individual in approximately twenty minutes. Hydraulically operated radial drive wheels, elevating struts and stinger positioner can be manually controlled or controlled with a programmable logic controller (PLC) to position the discharge point at the desired location at the desired time. Segregation of stacked material according to particle size can be controlled by appropriately relocating the conveyor discharge point at frequent intervals so that the material is deposited in small piles that form layers of stockpiled material instead of the usual single large stockpile.

Abstract: A device for removal of trimmings obtained from cutting of logs of web material by means of a log cutting machine which include a cutting blade for log cutting and a supporting surface downstream of the cutting blade to support cut out rolls. The device for removal of trimmings is disposed downstream of the supporting surface and at least one pair of conveyor belts for conveying the rolls toward an unloading station, the lower conveyor belt having a back-up horizontally movable roller able to move toward or away from the supporting surface thus creating a gap between the supporting surface and the conveyor sufficient for the trimmings to pass through and fall beneath the machine, while the cut out rolls pass form the supporting surface to the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor for transferring products has a belt looped about two pulleys; a first and a second conveying branch extending between the pulleys in a given direction; and an actuating device for activating the pulleys and defined by gear trains to impart to the pulleys a concordant reciprocating motion in the aforementioned direction according to a first law of motion; the belt being fed about the pulleys according to a second law of motion; and the first and second law of motion being so determined that the first branch is operated intermittently, and the second branch is operated continuously and uniformly.

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: A conveyor construction includes a frame, a drive section stationarily mounted to the frame, and a tensioning section mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the frame. The drive and tensioning sections each include a spindle, and a belt is engaged with the spindles. The frame defines an upper support surface disposed below the upper run of the belt, and mating engagement structure is provided on the belt and the upper support surface for preventing lateral movement of the belt relative to the upper support surface. The drive and tensioning sections include spaced side members, each of which defines an inwardly opening cavity for receiving a bearing assembly for rotatably supporting the spindle. The bearing-receiving cavity faces the spindle, and each side member defines outer wall structure which engages and supports the belt outwardly of the spindle.

Abstract: An extendable conveyor has an extendable conveyor section supported in a cantilevered manner including at least one extendable conveyor unit that is extendable between an extended position and a retracted position nested within the extendable conveyor section. The conveyor further includes a user interface section supported in a cantilevered manner from the extendable conveyor unit.

Abstract: An adjustable conveyor for conveying a printed circuit board includes a frame, a first track including a first conveyor belt, a second track including a second conveyor belt, wherein the first track and the second track are mounted on the frame so that the first track and the second track are parallel to each other. Each of the first track and the second track includes a first element and a second element that are slidably connected to each other so that a space between the first element and the second element is adjustable so as to change a length of the respective track. Each of the first elements includes a plurality of slide blocks. The slide blocks are slidably mounted on the first elements in an overlapping manner so that an amount of overlap between the slide blocks is adjustable as the space between the first element and the second element is adjusted. The conveyor also includes a device for simultaneously driving the first and second conveyor belts.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles from an upstream delivery station to a downstream receiving station and for temporarily storing the articles on a pair of parallel conveyors with a substantial run of the conveyors being in a vertically extending spiral made up of an incoming conveyor and an outgoing conveyor. A movable transport member is used for transferring the articles from the incoming conveyor and the outgoing conveyor at a rate dependent upon the relative speed of the two conveyors.

Abstract: An extensible support apparatus for extending the length of an endless conveyor belt system including a set of roller supporting frames arranged in a row with each having a vertically extending framework with rollers for the conveyor rotatably mounted thereon and a horizontally extending elongate frame member. Connectors are mounted on the frame members so that each is movable horizontally along the frame member of an adjacent supporting frame. A loading apparatus is also provided for arranging this support apparatus in the conveyor belt system. The loading apparatus includes a base frame, a loading frame pivotably mounted on one side of the base frame and a horizontally movable supporting frame capable of supporting the extensible support apparatus.

Abstract: A belt handling system has a belt storage subassembly, a testing pulley subassembly, and a belt transfer subassembly. The testing pulley subassembly has first and second spaced, rotatable pulleys around which a belt to be treated can be trained. The belt transfer subassembly is operable to transfer a belt at the belt storage subassembly into an operative position trained around the first and second pulleys. The testing pulley subassembly has a belt removal unit which is repositionable between first and second positions. A belt trained around the first and second pulleys is movable from an engaged state with the first pulley wherein a belt trained around the first and second pulleys follows rotational movement of the first pulley and a disengaged state wherein the first pulley can be rotated without causing a belt trained around the first and second pulleys to follow rotational movement of the first pulley.

Abstract: A collapsible conveyor system includes a plurality of nestable conveyor components. Each component includes a plurality of wheeled vertical ground supporting members. The conveying portion of each conveyor component includes a pair of spaced apart, longitudinal members or side rails. Positioned vertically between each pair of spaced apart side rails and providing connection therebetween are a plurality of cross-members or roller assemblies. The top side of one rail is slidingly matable with the bottom side of another side rail through a channel-male component arrangement. The rails are composed of a polymerized material. Optionally, one or more elements of the roller assemblies are composed of a polymerized material.

Abstract: A reservoir system for rod-like articles such as cigarettes has a first-in, first out buffer conveyor with a variable capacity. The capacity of the reservoir is varied by moving a pair of guidestoward or away from each other. The guides support the conveyor belt in a spiral fashion from a lower input level to a higher output level to compensate for temporary fiddefences in flow rates.

Abstract: A support assembly for supporting an extendable frame that is telescopically mounted on a base frame. The support assembly includes a number of support rollers for supporting the extendable frame. The support rollers are supported by lever devices such that the load applied by the extendable frame on the support rollers is proportionately distributed over all of the support rollers. The lever device includes a pivot plate device pivotally mounted to the base frame to pivot about a primary pivot axis. At least two support rollers are connected to the pivot plate to rotate about rotational axes located on opposite sides of the primary pivot axis. Also provided is a telescopic conveyor system having such a support assembly.

Abstract: A storage unit for the temporary storage of rolls, arranged between a first section and a second section of a production line, is described which includes an endless flexible member defining a closed path within the storage unit and bearing a plurality of seats for the rolls, the seats being subdivided into a first group of empty seats and a second group of full seats; an input feeder for controlled distribution of rolls arriving from the first section to the seats of the first group; an output feeder for controlled discharge of rolls from the seats of the second group toward the second section; a first motor for advancing the seats of the first group toward the input feeder and; a second motor for advancing the seats of the second group toward the output feeder. The first and second motors have first and second independently adjustable continuous speeds, respectively. Further, the first and second motors move the flexible member at a continuous but variable speed.

Abstract: An enclosed movable tripper belt conveyor includes an elongated trunking having an endless conveyor belt carried by troughing idlers along an upper path leading from a tail pulley to a head pulley. The belt returns from the head pulley to the tail pulley in sliding contact with a floor of the trunking. A movable tripper unit includes a tripper that discharges the material being conveyed to a valve that is configured and arranged to selectively discharge the material to one side or the other of the movable tripper unit. A cover is received over the trunking and the movable tripper unit so as to form with the trunking an enclosure containing the belt, the tail pulley, the head pulley, all of the troughing idlers and the movable tripper unit.

Abstract: A check out stand (20) having a telescoping take-away conveyor (26) extending between a front module (22) and a rear module (24). Retraction of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) allows an area located beneath the leading end of the conveyor to be exposed. The exposed area can support a single bag (85) for bagging groceries and other items. If the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) is retracted only a limited amount, the single bag (85) may be inserted between the leading end of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) and the trailing end of the scanner (32). The telescoping take-away conveyor (26) utilizes a friction roller (66) that permits the powered roller (60) for the telescoping take-away conveyor (26).

Abstract: A conveyor for an endless, closed-loop conveyor belt (1), which is flexible transverse to its extension, has a guide (11) keeping conveyor belt on a substantially rectilinear main path (3) and on a generally perpendicular branch. A branch device (9) is movable along the main path. There the belt takes two branch paths (19, 20), both parallel with a branch line (26) which is generally transverse to the main path. The branch device (9) comprises two first deflection rollers (14, 23), which are offset in opposite directions laterally from the main path (3). The axes of the two deflection rollers are each perpendicular to a respective deflection plane. Each deflection plance passes through the center of the respective deflection rollers and intersects the main path and the respective branch paths (19, 20) at respective distances from the deflection rollers.

Abstract: A variable capacity reservoir for cigarettes or similar rod-like articles comprises a pair of fixed upwardly extending helical guides located above the normal plane of conveyance of a laterally-flexible mass flow conveyor, and a drive carriage carrying wheels engageable with the conveyor and rotatable about the axis of the helical guides so as to reversibly deflect a variable length of conveyor around said guides. As the conveyor is advanced into or retracted from the helical guides, it is correspondingly transferred from or to a store arranged below the guides.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly (11) for attachment to a conveyor belt boot end (10) for use in a mine. The conveyor assembly (11) includes two conveyor modules (12) and (13) which are towed by the boot end (10). The two conveyor modules (12) and (13) enable assembly of a conveyor structure (16) to support the conveyor belt (17). The conveyor structure (16) is constructed during movement of the boot end (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an accumulating device for providing a buffer. The accumulating device includes a frame and a guide structure reciprocally movable in opposite first and second directions with respect to the frame. A continuous chain configured for conveying pieces of product is mounted on the guide structure. The accumulating device also includes a plurality of driven gears constructed and arranged to both rotate the chain about the guide structure and reciprocate the guide structure in the first and second directions relative to the frame. A buffer is generated when the guide structure is moved in the first direction. The buffer is cleared when the guide structure is moved in the second direction.

Abstract: A method of providing a temporary support for a length of belt added to extend an existing fixed conveyor belt having a tail roller. A plurality of separate discrete conveyor belt support stands are provided. The stands are collapsed together as a group and are moveably supported on a moveable support structure. The stands are joined to adjacent stands by a load bearing connector incapable of supporting vertical loads which permits separation of the stands to a predetermined distance. The tail roller is advanced. The moveable support structure is advanced toward the tail roller. At least one support stand is advanced on the support structure toward the tail roller thereby providing support for any additional length of conveyor belt that is added to the system.

Abstract: A poultry loading apparatus for transporting poultry from a confinement area such as a poultry house to a transport vehicle to allow transport of poultry from farm-to-farm or from farm-to-processing plant. The mobile poultry loading apparatus includes a conveyor system whereby poultry ride from a confinement area to the transport vehicle during loading. The conveying system includes a telescoping end that extends into and retracts from a coop during the loading process. A system of hydraulics controls the speed of the conveyor, aids in the transverse leveling of the machine, adjusts both the angle and tier of loading, and levels and controls the telescoping end of the conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel extension apparatus and method for providing a selectively adjustable conveying path for sheet articles between sheet processing apparatuses. The extension apparatus includes a base bracket with a pair of rotatably movable spring-loaded bracket arms attached to a shaft extending therethrough. A pair of bracket arm rollers are attached to each of the bracket arms. An extension plate is positioned above and slidably movable on the base bracket, and a pair of rotatable extension rollers are rotatably attached to a shaft extending through the extension plate such that slidable movement of the extension plate simultaneously and identically moves the extension rollers. A pair of rear rollers are utilized and are operatively aligned with an extension roller and a pair of the bracket arm rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extensible endless conveyor belt support structures and systems. A support structure has vertical support members (8) connected by V-shaped arrangements of pivotally connected (17, 19) link members (7, 9). By mounting at least the upper belt run rollers (4) on the vertical supports (8) the load can be more effectively supported whilst providing a relatively high ratio of extended to contracted length. By using telescopically extendable (14, 15) vertical supports (8), any increase in overall height of the support structure upon contraction thereof is minimized or avoided. By also having detachable lower belt run rollers (23) the support structure can be inserted into an endless conveyor belt installation without dismantling or even stopping running thereof. The invention also provides systems including setting devices for holding the support structures in their contracted form and deploying and collecting them into and from their extended conditions.

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: The conveyor (1) includes a telescoping conveyor (2) with a boxlike basic body (9), above which a separating conveyor (3) and a weighing device (4) are located, thereby saving space which would be necessary if the separating conveyor (3) and the weighing device (4) were set up separately.

Abstract: An apparatus particularly suitable for the suspended storage of foodstuffs in any available space, comprising a frame consisting of at least one basic module (30) with four vertical posts (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) joined together in pairs by upper (35) and lower (34) longitudinal coupling members and upper (37) and lower (36) transverse coupling members. The lower ends of the posts comprise four lower connecting members (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) and four upper connecting members (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d), the connecting members being provided with coupling devices for mounting horizontally or vertically adjacent modules.

Abstract: A check out stand (20) having a telescoping take-away conveyor (26) extending between a front module (22) and a rear module (24). Retraction of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) allows an area located beneath the leading end of the conveyor to be exposed. The exposed area can support a single bag (85) for bagging groceries and other items. If the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) is retracted only a limited amount, the single bag (85) may be inserted between the leading end of the telescoping take-away conveyor (26) and the trailing end of the scanner (32). The telescoping take-away conveyor (26) utilizes a friction roller (66) that permits the powered roller (60) for the telescoping take-away conveyor (26).

Abstract: Sheet-like products are fed to the transfer location by a first conveyor. A detector arrangement determines the spacing between the products and controls the first predetermined speed of a second conveyor correspondingly, with the result that, at the transfer location, the formation of the products have a predefined spacing. If the second conveyor is driven, at the stationary transfer location, at the first predetermined speed which differs from a second predetermined speed at the stationary discharge location, the conveying length of the second conveyor changes, thereby displacing a deflection wheel. Different spacings between fed products can thus be evened out.

Abstract: An extendible conveyor for conveying material to be loaded or unloaded from a trailer includes a telescoping boom supporting an endless conveyor belt for rotation about the telescoping boom at any extension length. A belt take-up is provided external to the telescoping boom for releasing or taking-up excess belt corresponding to the movement of the telescoping boom. A belt tension control arrangement which includes a control circuit and an extension sensor is provided to coordinate the release or take-up of excess conveyor belt corresponding to the telescoping boom movement while maintaining the conveyor belt at a desired belt tension. The extendible conveyor is pivotally supported for accommodating varying trailer bed heights and material loading conditions.

Abstract: There is provided an idler carriage assembly for use on a conveyor belt storage system having a device for aligning the idler carriage assembly when the idler carriage assembly becomes disengaged from a connecting assembly. The connecting assembly may be an adjacent idler carriage assembly or the pulley carriage assembly. There is also provided a conveyor belt storage system incorporating the idler carriage assembly.

Abstract: A plant (1), preferably a freezer tunnel for temporary storage of items and comprising an inlet station (3) and a discharge station (2) and a conveyor (4) for carrying the items through the plant, may be provided with a buffer effect in a simple manner. The conveyor (4) loops around fixed turning rolls (9) and around displaceable turning rolls (8) positioned on a trolley (17) which can be displaced back and forth between the fixed turning rolls (9). The buffer storage is established in that a drive member (14) for the conveyor (4) is provided both at the inlet and the discharge station (2, 3). Any one of these two drive members is constructed to be operated at a speed that is different from the speed of the other drive member. As the trolley (17) is in a freely displaceable position, a difference in speed will mean that the conveyor section (24) between the trolley (17) and the fixed turning rolls at one side of the plant may be enlarged and reduced.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting a workpiece from a first position to a second position along a curved path. The conveyor includes side members including a plurality of individual members arranged adjacent one another and allowing for such that individual members may move in a longitudinal direction relative to adjacent individual members to change the overall length of the side member. The side members are interconnected through use of slots and fasteners such that the slots in adjacent individual members are offset to allow for longitudinal adjustment between the adjacent members. Such adjustment results in an adjustable flexible conveyor enabling the conveyor to be adjustable in either direction along a particular curved path or configuration.

Abstract: A conveyor system particularly adapted for feeding vehicle tires to a shredder mechanism includes telescopic conveyor sections supported to removably, adjustably position an outlet end of a first conveyor section relative to an inlet opening of the shredder mechanism and to adjustably position an inlet end of a second conveyor section at a convenient elevation for tire loading purposes.