Abstract: A chain tension maintenance device for use with the bowl loading elevator of the excavating scraper variety which is adjustable to vary the slack in the chain and paddle structure. At least one idler arm having bell crank geometry is pivotally mounted to the elevator frame through a first pivot point. An idler wheel axially mounted at a second pivot point of the idler arm, is urged into tension maintaining contact with the elevator chains by force exerted through the third pivot point of the idler arm by an adjustable turnbuckle grounded to the elevator frame.

Abstract: A self-compensating constant-tension drive system for a belt conveyor used in a cryogenic freezing tunnel or other elongated thermal processing apparatus, comprising a hydraulic motor driving the drive pulley of the conveyor, a hydraulic pump driven by the tensioning pulley, and a pressure relief valve connected to the outlet of the pump to inhibit flow from the pump and thus inhibit rotation of the pump and tensioning pulley until a predetermined tension is established in the upper run of the belt; the belt is longer than the inter-pulley spacing to allow for substantial thermal expansion and contraction, and the excess belt length is stored in a catenary sag adjacent the drive pulley.

Abstract: A calender for the thermal treatment of laminar material utilizes a band of inert material carrying a design to be transferred to the laminar material. The calendar includes a cylindrical drum, and an endless belt or "messenger" is arranged to hug the surface of the drum so as to force the laminar material and the inert material against one another. Means are provided for driving the messenger in translatory movement along its length and/or for driving the drum about its axis. The messenger is constituted by a plurality of endless bands whose longitudinal edges are positioned side-by-side. A separate regulating means is provided to regulate the tension of each band.

Abstract: An aerial conveyor system comprises a pair of spaced apart cables extending from a first vehicle including material delivery apparatus across a material receiving zone, across an open area, and across a material discharge zone to a second vehicle. The cables support a plurality of conveyor support frames each comprising a pair of tubular members extending substantially parallel to the cables, a plurality of hook rollers for supporting the tubular members on the cables, and a plurality of transversely disposed conveyor support rollers. An endless conveyor belt is mounted for movement around a course defined by the conveyor support rollers of the conveyor support frames and functions to transport material received from the delivery apparatus of the first vehicle in the receiving zone across the open area to the discharge zone.

Abstract: A mining machine having a body portion mounted on propelling tracks includes an endless conveyor mechanism that extends longitudinally on the body portion. The conveyor mechanism is rotatably supported at the front and rear end portions thereof by roller assemblies. The rear roller assembly is longitudinally movable and driven by a hydraulically operated motor to advance the conveyor mechanism from a receiving end portion to a discharging end portion. The discharging end portion is supported for lateral swinging movement relative to the main conveyor portion. Hydraulically operated take-up devices are connected to the rear roller assembly and maintain a preselected tension on the conveyor to prevent slack developing therein. Each take-up device includes a cylinder with a rod having a shoulder portion of a preselected differential area against which fluid pressure is applied to extend the rod from the cylinder.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for a cable conveyor system having a channel formed adjacent to a drive wheel for receiving a partial loop of excess cable for the purpose of preventing the cable from becoming too tight or too loose for the proper functioning of the system. A switch assembly is positioned adjacent to one end of the channel for sensing an enlarged partial loop of cable and shutting off the power to the drive apparatus in response to such condition.

Abstract: An apparatus to effect longitudinal plow folding and subsequent heat sealing of previously computer printed continuous business forms stationary includes a folder and a plurality of elongated heating ribbons disposed parallel to the direction of web travel in spaced apart parallel relationship and being convexly curved for supporting the continuous web passing thereover. Hot melt adhesive applied during manufacture of the stationary is disposed between the plies of the folded-over web, to be locally heated through the web as it lays against, and advances directly over, the multiplicity of parallel heating ribbons. Upon exiting the heater bed, a sandwich platen is provided to maintain the plies in intimate contact, while removing heat from the web and adhesive to bond the plies at each of the multiplicity of spots so heated. The folded and sealed web may then be processed by conventional bursting into individual sealed documents, for mail processing or confidential distribution.

Abstract: A system for obtaining mechanical power from a driven belt conveyor which services a remote area such as a coal mine where delivering electrical power is difficult and/or hazardous. The system includes apparatus selectively driven by the return flight of the mined material conveyor belt to provide mechanical driving power to an auxiliary device, such as a pump. A pair of driveable rollers are coupled together on the same side of the belt and a tensioning roller, for urging the conveyor belt into driving engagement with the driveable rollers, is adjustably positioned on the opposite side of the belt.

Abstract: A longwall conveyor composed of channel sections arranged end-to-end and a scraper-chain assembly moved to transfer material along the channel sections has a main drive station at one end and an auxiliary drive station at the other end. Each drive station has a frame rotatably supporting a drum around which is entrained the scraper-chain assembly. Drive motor and gearing units are carried by the frames and drive the drums. At each drive station there is a housing in which a sprocket wheel drivably engages with a chain used to haul a plough or a similar machine along the conveyor. Drive motor and gearing units are supported by the housings and drive the sprocket wheels. The housing and sprocket wheel at the main drive station is slidably mounted on the frame and a piston and cylinder unit effects slidable displacement of the housing to vary the tension in the drive chain.

Abstract: In a dough panning device, the dough piece orienter and intermediate guide sheet are mounted to permit longitudinal sliding movement along guide bars so that when the delivery end of the conveyor belt is moved to tension the belt these apparatus will maintain a proper relationship thereto. Also provided are adjustable side guides for the baking pans which may be individually adjusted laterally by means of parallel mounting links which are maintained in adjusted positions by friction clutches.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for elevating loose bulk material from one level to another, as in self-unloading ships, and more particularly a dual belt conveyor-elevator having a relatively long horizontal feed section, and further including a belt take-up apparatus and system including a normal pressure mode for tensioning the outer belt of the dual belt conveyor-elevator under normal operating conditions, the belt take-up apparatus and system also including a high pressure mode which is connected in tensioning relation to the outer belt of the dual belt conveyor-elevator upon loss of motive driving power to the dual belt conveyor-elevator. The high pressure mode is capable of substantially immediately taking up slack which develops in the outer belt, particularly in the horizontal feed portion thereof, with consequent prevention of spillage of load material, when the driving power for the dual belt conveyor-elevator is interrupted.

Abstract: A modular conveyor particularly adapted for food processing installations including a plurality of pedestals arranged along a single line and removably connected to a plurality of aligned beams and laterally-spaced side rails to support a plurality of belt-supporting rollers. The conveyor can be adjusted to a cleaning position where the conveyor belt is opened for interior cleaning while still permitting the belt to be driven by its usual driving mechanism.

Abstract: A finishing process for magnetic half-core members of the pot core type, comprising a base, a cylindrical part and a central annular part. The half-core members are carried by a belt moving past at least one machining apparatus, the half-core members are placed in the belt such that, in the machining apparatus, the cylindrical part moves against two parallel fixed abrasive surfaces, between which is disposed an abrasive cylinder, which projects with respect to said abrasive surfaces, in order to machine simultaneously the central annular part, whereby an air gap is formed when two half-core members are assembled.

Abstract: A belt guide roller for a baler having a wheeled frame with front, top, rear and bottom portions. A plurality of spaced apart driven belts extend around the frame and are designed to roll the hay into a large cylindrical bale in conventional fashion. The belt guide roller is rotatably mounted on the lower forward portion of the frame means and exerts pressure against the driven belts. The belt guide roller has a plurality of spaced apart annular guide members mounted thereon which extend between the driven belts to keep the driven belts from laterally shifting. The pressure which is exerted against the driven belts permits the driven belts to engage a greater portion of the periphery of the drive roller on the frame means thereby decreasing belt slippage.

Abstract: A conveyor especially adapted for use in environments where strict sanitary standards must be met. The conveyor includes a quick belt release whereby the belt and the conveyor may be cleaned without removing the belt from the conveyor.