Abstract: A conveyor belt including a series of predefined sections and elevated support structures at the edges of each section for supporting items on the belt above the belt at each section.

Abstract: A diverter assembly includes a frame and first and second driven conveying surfaces, which are supported by the frame. Each of the conveying surfaces is adapted to move between two positions. The first driven conveying surface is pivoted about an input end when moved between its first and second positions, while the second driven conveying surface is pivoted about an output end when moved between its first and second positions. The driven conveying surfaces are aligned when in their first positions and define a conveyor path for transporting articles from a first conveyor to a second conveyor. When in their respective second positions, the driven conveying surfaces define two separate conveyor paths—one aligned between the first and third conveyor to divert articles to the third conveyor, and the second driven conveying surface being generally horizontally aligned with the second conveyor.

Abstract: A bolt-together powered belt conveyor assembly includes adjustable tail assemblies which facilitate adjustment of the overall length of the conveyor, while positively securing the position of the end rollers relative to the conveyor sections. The conveyor assembly further includes an adjustable nose-over assembly, which is adjustable to accommodate a change in angle between adjacent conveyor sections. The conveyor assembly further includes a drive assembly which is connectable between end assemblies or slider bed conveyor sections and which is adapted to be installed on a horizontal, inclined or declined conveyor section. The position of the rollers, length of the conveyor sections and angle of incline of the conveyor section may be easily adjusted via adjustment of one or more fasteners of the conveyor assembly, thereby avoiding the need of welding various components of the conveyor assembly together.

Abstract: A wall element incorporating idle rollers, presenting a body with seats into which stationary pins carrying idle rollers are snap-fitted; said body presents two parts (22, 30), of which one is the lower base part (22) and the other the upper base part (30), these being structurally separate, but connected together by just the pins (10, 21), which present end portions (15, 15A) transversely wider than adjacent portions (11a, 21a) provided for their snap-fitting into seats (12a,b,c; 22a,b,c) in said two parts (22, 30), said wider portions (15, 15A) abutting against said seats to prevent any movement of said parts (22, 30) in the axial direction of the pins (10, 21).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor and packaging apparatus, as well as packaging conveyance and packaging methods for irregularly shaped articles and packages, such as for packaged food products as in the case of conical packages for ice cream confections and the like. In the present invention, pairs of manufactured articles having irregular profiles are moved along a conveyor system. Each of a given pair of articles moves along an independent conveyor path toward a predetermined destination. Each article may undergo a change in alignment along its path such that it is in a preferred orientation upon leaving the conveyor system. In a preferred embodiment, pairs of conical articles are oriented with the narrow ends in opposing directions (interlaced) upon leaving the system so as to minimize the amount of space required for packaging of the two articles when placed adjacent one another.

Abstract: A clamping assembly for mounting an apparatus on a side rail of a conveyor has one or a pair of parallelepiped shaped blocks, each having a tenon extending outwardly from one planar side thereof. The tenon has a shape similar to one-half of a dovetail shaped groove, one or two such grooves are formed in one of the side rails of a conveyor. A pair of fasteners clamp each of the blocks against the outer surface of the side rail with the tenons thereof extending into a respective dovetail groove and engaging one-half of the groove. The outer width of the tenon is less then the entrance opening of the dovetail groove enabling the tenon to be placed directly into the groove without being slid inwardly from an end opening.

Abstract: A guide rail spacer is provided that can be adjusted among a plurality of predetermined fixed positions with respect to the guide rail which it supports. The can spacer can also be secured when not in use such that it does not interfere with conveyor line operations while remaining readily available for use.

Abstract: An adjustable railing support system has a conveyor and a railing extending along each side of the conveyor. The conveyor is used to transport containers of various sizes and shapes in different runs. For each size and shape of container, the support posts must be adjusted and the actuators are connected to a programmable logic controller that is operable and connected to sequentially adjust the support posts relative to the conveyor until all of the support posts have been adjusted as required to transport container of one particular size and shape. The controller has a memory so that the precise location of the support posts for a particular product line can be stored. When switching from one known product line to another, the adjustments can be made automatically from the memory of the controller.

Abstract: A conveyor belt skirt assembly adapted to be attached to a conveyor mechanism to retain conveyed material on a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt skirt assembly includes a mounting mechanism having first and second clamping members and a conveyor belt skirt adapted to be attached between the first and second clamping members. The conveyor belt skirt includes a relatively thin upper portion and a relatively thick lower portion. The upper portion of the skirt includes an offset wall forming a pocket adapted to receive the first clamping member.

Abstract: A positioning system of guide elements of a conveyor of articles comprises: at least one guide positioning unit comprising a guide positioning element adapted to be operatively associated with a respective guide element for the positioning thereof; a system of traction-transmitting cables operatively associated with the guide positioning unit, for transmitting traction forces; at least one traction unit associated with the system of traction-transmitting cables for exerting traction forces on the system of traction-transmitting cables. The guide positioning unit is either a driven guide positioning unit (133), wherein the guide positioning element is caused to be moved by the traction forces transmitted by the system of traction-transmitting cables, or a driving guide positioning unit, comprising a motor group associated with the guide positioning element.

Abstract: A belt conveyor system using a mechanism that can either create a seal between the skirt and the belt or allow the skirt to make floating contact with the belt regardless of the directional movement of the belt.

Abstract: The combination of a conveying surface that is movable to advance material supported thereon, a wall projecting upwardly from the conveying surface to confine material on the conveying surface, a sealing element to block passage of material between the conveyor surface and wall, and a clamping system for the sealing element. The clamping system may consist of a) a locking assembly having a bearing portion that is mounted for movement relative to the wall between i) a mounting position and ii) a holding position, with the sealing element residing between the wall and the bearing portion with the locking element in the holding position, b) a fixing element on the wall, and c) a wedge assembly having a body that cooperates with the fixing element and that is movable slidably and guidingly relative to the locking assembly between first and second positions.

Abstract: A guide rail spacer is provided that can be adjusted among a plurality of predetermined fixed positions with respect to the guide rail which it supports. The spacer can also be secured when not in use such that it does not interfere with conveyor line operations while remaining readily available for use.

Abstract: A method for positioning side panels during manufacture of a pant includes positioning the side panels on side panel transfer devices. The side panels move perpendicular to a pant transport plane as the pant is transported in the machine direction and the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices. The side panels can include refastenable fastening components. The method and apparatus can move the fastening components closer together in the cross-machine direction or maintain the fastening components at a constant cross-machine position while the side panels reside on the side panel transfer devices.

Abstract: An endless conveyor belt has a thermal fluid (gas or liquid) sprayed against a portion of its underside to define a temperature-controlled region of the belt. To prevent the lateral escape of the thermal fluid, stationary seals are provided which contact the belt underside adjacent respective longitudinal edges of the belt. To keep the seals in continuous contact with the belt, despite warping that might occur, the seals carry magnets, and the belt is formed of a magnetizable material. Hence, the magnets force the belt and seals together.

Abstract: A sideboard assembly for an infeed system of a waste processing machine includes a sideboard for attachment to a sidewall of the infeed system of the waste processing machine. The sideboard assembly also includes a plurality of fasteners for removably attaching the sideboard to the sidewall of the infeed system of the waste processing machine.

Abstract: The combination of a conveying surface that is movable to advance material supported thereon, a wall projecting upwardly from the conveying surface to confine material on the conveying surface, a sealing element to block passage of material between the conveyor surface and wall, and a clamping system for the sealing element. The clamping system may consist of a) a locking assembly having a bearing portion that is mounted for movement relative to the wall between i) a mounting position and ii) a holding position, with the sealing element residing between the wall and the bearing portion with the locking element in the holding position, b) a fixing element on the wall, and c) a wedge assembly having a body that cooperates with the fixing element and that is movable slidably and guidingly relative to the locking assembly between first and second positions.

Abstract: A connection element for at least two components (15, 7) of a conveyor support or guide structure, of the type comprising a body (1) presenting a first element (2) having first (3) for removably fixing a portion (15A) of one (15) of said components, and a second element (5) having second part (6) for removably fixing a tubular portion (7A) of said other component (7), in which the first and second fixing (3, 6) are distinct and separated from each other, the first fixing (3) having a plurality of slotted apertures (3A-D), and the second fixing (6) having an expansion member (8) able to expand within said tubular portion (7A) to fix it to said second element (5).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a support railing for a curved conveyor path. The support railing is of the type which follows the radius of the curved conveyor path. The support railing is secured in brackets, with at least one bracket in each end of the support railing. The support railing further displays a flexible intermediate section with fixed end pieces in each end of the intermediate section. The flexible intermediate section with its fixed end pieces is telescopically secured in the brackets.

Abstract: A system for transporting articles. The transport system includes a conveyor system which includes a transport carrier for carrying one or more articles between workstations and a drive rail and a support rail for supporting the transport carrier. The drive rail includes a drive system for propelling the transport carrier between workstations. At least one shoe carried by the transport carrier rides on the support rail for movably supporting the transport carrier on the support rail. The transport system may also includes a protective container including a housing having an interior compartment for supporting one or more articles. The bottom surface of the housing is configured to engage the drive system such that actuation of the drive system propels the housing along the drive and support rails. At least one shoe carried by the housing is configured to ride on the support rail of the conveyor system to movably support the housing on the support rail.

Abstract: A belt conveyor for conveying granular material comprises a tube and a hopper. Guide members guide the belt from a flat orientation as the belt leaves the lower roller into a cupped orientation as the belt enters the hopper. The cupped orientation is maintained by sliding contact at an interface between the lower surface of the belt and the hopper walls as the belt passes through the hopper. Left and right baffle members are attached along the hopper side walls and thereby prevent the granular material from sliding down the hopper walls into contact with the interface between the lower surface of the belt and the hopper walls. The belt has a width that is substantially fully exposed to granular material entering the hopper. A method of increasing the capacity of a belt conveyor comprises reducing the width of the flashing covering belt side portions.

Abstract: A convertible flange insertion machine for the insertion of a pair of internally threaded flanges into a drum head of a shipping container is disclosed. The machine includes a pair of continuously moving drum head conveyor chains running along conveyor supports and between a pair of tooling dies that upon compression insert flanges into the drum head. A pair of flange conveyors run along side the drum head conveyor and include a pair of side rails with two lips for guiding the lips of flanges according to two different flange styles. The flange conveyors terminate at a lateral transfer mechanism. One lateral transfer mechanism includes an indexer with two pawls that sequentially indexes flanges in a two step procedure over a pair of spring loaded stops and into the receiving pocket of a tooling block. The tooling block places the flanges over the tooling die where a release assembly forces the flanges out of the tooling block and onto the die.

Abstract: A flexible guard is provided that can be easily attached to the side skirt of an escalator or other moving walkway or conveyor system, the attachment of the guard occurring either during initial manufacture or during subsequent system modification. The flexible guard minimizes the possibility of side step entrapment without unduly limiting the usable width of the escalator/walkway/conveyor. Additionally, the flexible guard can be mounted close enough to the moving portions of the escalator/walkway/conveyor to minimize the possibility of guard entrapment. The flexible guard includes one or more bristle strips integrated into a flexible base. The base is attached to the escalator/walkway/conveyor using any of a variety of mounting means such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc. One or more light sources can be integrated into the flexible base in order to provide additional illumination of the escalator steps walkway/conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fixedly locking support railings (2) along a conveyor path. The support railings (2) are of the type which has a circular cross section and are mounted in brackets (1) in one or more rows. The fixedly locking takes place by means of a tool (4) with two shanks (5) which enter into engagement with the support railing (2). A locking pin (8) is placed between the upper side (9) of the tool (4) and the bracket (1). The tool (4) is thereafter turned so that the locking pin (8) follows the periphery of the support railing (2) until the upper side of the tool (4) abuts against the bracket (1). The locking pin (8) has then reached a locking position. The method is re-usable.

Abstract: A paper handling system includes an acceleration conveyor having an acceleration belt operating at an acceleration speed. The system includes a pinning structure operably positioned to pin paper to the acceleration belt. The pinning structure is a rotary feeder which includes a plurality of flexible bristles extending radially from a roller into engagement with the acceleration belt. The speed of the acceleration belt is sufficiently high to create a suction phenomena such that when paper is pinned to the acceleration belt with the rotary feeder, the paper will be accelerated to a paper speed substantially equal to the acceleration speed. The system also includes a blower system operative to facilitate carrying the paper off of the acceleration belt across a transition gap between the acceleration belt and a product belt.

Abstract: Am element (S) for walls (A, B) supporting a plurality of idle rollers, particularly for accumulation stations for conveying lines for products in general, comprises two components (1, 1; 1, 2) coupled together, said components being identical (1, 1) in the case of central walls, and different (1, 2) in the case of side walls, one of said different components (1, 2) being identical, i.e. “common”, to those relative to the central walls (1).

Abstract: Rotationally symmetrical containers (10) are transported under backup pressure on a conveying surface (12) limited laterally by railings (14). For rotating the containers (10) at a predetermined site along the conveying surface (12), one of two consecutive containers (10) is arranged stable against one railing (14) and the other stable against the other railing (14) in the direction of conveyance after the site at which the containers are to rotate.

Abstract: A two axis bottle guide rail change over apparatus for an air conveyor supports a pair of guide rails and is operable to simultaneously adjust a lateral spacing between the pair of guide rails and/or simultaneously adjust a vertical positioning of the pair of guide rails relative to the air conveyor.

Abstract: In a clean room having a plurality of floors of different levels, an escalator is disposed between the plurality of floors for transporting an article between the floors. A self-propelled vehicle is used for transporting an article between floors. The self-propelled vehicle and the article are loaded on a step of the escalator. The vehicle and the article are held on the step from above the article by means of a holding section. The holding section assists loading of the vehicle onto the escalator through the article in the vicinity of an entrance gate of the escalator and assists unloading of the vehicle from the escalator in the vicinity of an exit gate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fixedly locking support railings (2) along a conveyor path. The support railings (2) are of the type which has a circular cross section and are mounted in brackets (1) in one or more rows.

Abstract: A skirt board and mounting plate for sealing the side edges of a conveyor belt to prevent spillage of material being transported. The skirt board comprises an elastomeric sheet having regularly spaced parallel ribs integrally formed on one major surface thereof and adapted for insertion within regularly spaced parallel slots formed in a metal mounting plate that is adapted for attachment to a frame disposed above or along side the conveyor belt.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for combining randomly oriented containers on a conveyor into single file. The apparatus includes a pressureless combining conveyor having at least two or more conveyor sections adjacent to one another, and angled about the axis of a guide rail. The substantially linear guide rail extends at an angle across the combining conveyor. The guide rail is constructed such that the lower part of a container which starts to fall toward the guide rail contacts the guide rail first, then tilts toward the guide rail, touching the guide rail at a height of the container near the center of gravity of the container, and then returning to its stable position. The container's center of gravity always remains within its stability region. The apparatus includes an input conveyor to supply a plurality of containers having no specific orientation, and an input guide rail section to guide moving containers to one side of the input conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor for conveying bulk material includes a conveyor loop (2) having an upper section forming a transport deck (5) extending along a transport path and a lower return section. The conveyor loop (2) includes an array of pins (7) and connections (8, 9) interconnecting the pins (7) and an array of carrier beams (10) each extending transverse to the array of pins (7) and connections (8, 9). A side barrier (11) above and along a side of the transport deck (5) for restraining bulk material from moving laterally off the is formed by an array of side barrier plates (24; 124). The side barrier plates (24; 124) are each fixedly connected relative to axes (35) of a pair of the pins (7). Leading and trailing ends (36) of successive side barrier plates (24; 124) are in at least close proximity of each other.

Abstract: A method and apparati of automatic sexing of a one-day-old chick which includes inducing the chick to lose its equilibrium and voluntarily spread its wings. An example of an apparatus which causes chick disequilibrium includes a cup with a rim, a funnel removably seated on the rim, and a free-rolling ball inside the cup. A second example of such an apparatus includes a conveyer belt, a mechanical vibrator attached to the surface of the conveyer belt, and two poles for supporting the spread wings. A third example of such an apparatus includes a passageway enclosed on both sides whose bottom is attached to an oscillator. The wings are caused to be spread so that chick sexing can be performed by photographing the chick, applying appropriate image processing to the photograph, identifying the sex of the chick from the processed photograph, weighing the chick, and processing chicks based on sex and weight. Preferably, the chick is photographed in blue light, using a digital camera.

Abstract: Rotationally symmetrical containers (10) are transported under backup pressure on a conveying surface (12) limited laterally by railings (14). For rotating the containers (10) at a predetermined site along the conveying surface (12), one of two consecutive containers (10) is arranged stable against one railing (14) and the other stable against the other railing (14) in the direction of conveyance after the site at which the containers are to rotate.

Abstract: A lane arrangement has pairs of elongated partitions joined in parallel side-by-side disposition by adjustable fasteners to form lanes of adjustable width. The lanes so formed are in turn joined to one another by additional adjustable fasteners to form additional lanes interposed between the first set of lanes.

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: The en masse bulk material conveyor apparatus of the present invention is essentially comprised of a length of formed trough having a generally U-shaped cross-section configuration with a substantial horizontal center section, a flexible endless bulk material-moving conveyor belt frictionally supported by the formed trough, a conventional drive roll, idle roll, belt tension roll, and drive motor combination co-operating with the endless material-moving belt, and a bulk material enclosure positioned above and in spaced-apart relation to the endless belt. Bulk material loading chute and discharge chute features may optionally be combined with the conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: A guide rail splice sleeve provides for adjustable housing, gripping, and connecting of sequential guide rail segments. The device includes an elongated central member, first and second tension bars detachably connected to the central member at opposite ends thereof, and fastening elements for securely connecting the first and second tension bars independently to the central member. The independent connection of each tension bar to the central member permits sequential guide rail segments to be gripped or adjusted independently of the other. Additionally, the sleeve may include a hand tightening device so that the fastening elements may be adjusted without the need for tools. Also, the sleeve may include an extension for spanning any gap between non-abutting ends of adjacent guide rail segments.

Abstract: An elongated channel for the assembly of successive increments of a continuous tobacco stream and for lengthwise transport of the tobacco stream in a cigarette making machine is composed of a foraminous belt having a lower reach overlying the channel and located beneath a suction chamber, and of two additional belts having recessed surfaces which flank the channel. Those tobacco particles which enter the recesses in the surfaces of the additional belts form part of densified sections of rod-like fillers of discrete cigarettes and the recesses further serve to receive the teeth of one or more driven pulleys which are employed to move the additional belts lengthwise.

Abstract: A length-variable sliding rail element enables a roller chain to be easily guided. Two complementary sliding rail elements fit together. Each of the sliding elements may be comprised of two or three segments. These various segments interengage each other to form a sliding rail element that is shiftable between collapsed and extended position.

Abstract: A conveyor includes a support element (4), that defines a running surface (5), and an endless dragging belt (9,10). The belt (9,10) has seats (3) made, with inwards decreasing section, along one longitudinal edge located over a corresponding section of the surface (5). Containers (1) to be moved rest on the surface (5) and are kept in engagement with the belt (9,10) and in the seats by a lateral striker (7). The belt can be made of synthetic material with cogs (11), or of metallic material with smooth surfaces. The lateral striker (7) is a bar parallel to the straight active run (8) of the belt (9,10), and is moved in relation to the containers (1) size. The support and running surface (5) has indentations in one or more points (4), where there are plates (13) for moving the containers clear of the belt so as to allow additional operations on the containers.

Abstract: A transporting installation (10, 110) comprises at least one conveyor belt (11, 111) on which are mounted at intervals carriages (12, 112) each equipped above with a horizontal roller (13, 113) for support of transport members (14) and side guide wheels (19, 119) running inside parallel opposing and facing C rails (20, 120). For support of roller and wheels the carriage has a U bracket (15, 115) fastened on the belt and with seats opening upward on the U arms for support of a support pin in a zone at the sides of the roller. The ends of the pin project on the two sides of the bracket (15, 115) to each support one of said guide wheels with there being between the wheels and the bracket spacers (22, 122) removable transversally to the pin to free a space for axial running of the guide wheels towards the center of the carriage. In this manner the wheels can be shifted in the direction of withdrawing them from the C guide rails upon removal of the spacers.

Abstract: A guide rail splice sleeve device provides for adjustable housing, gripping, and connecting of sequential guide rails. The device includes an elongated central member, a first and second tension bar detachably connected to the central member at opposite ends thereof, and fastening elements for securely connecting the first and second tension bars independently to the central member. Advantageously the central member and tension bars have integral flanges to aid in support of the guide rails. The independent connection of each tension bar to the central member permits sequential guide rail segments to be gripped or adjusted independently of the other. Additionally, the sleeve may include a hand tightening device so that the fastening elements may be adjusted without the need for tools. Also, the sleeve may include an extension for spanning any gap between non-abutting ends of adjacent guide rail segments connected by the sleeve.

Abstract: A system for applying a rotary force to strips of varying widths. The system includes a plurality of adjacent tracks of progressively greater width, each of the tracks disposed at a height above all tracks of lesser width. A plurality of rotating members are provided, one rotating member extending into one of the tracks and extending to the surface of the associated track. An adjustable drive disc is adjusted to be disposed over a preselected one of the rotating members and is movable toward the rotating members to apply a rotary force to a strip disposed between the rotating member and the disc. Each of the tracks is defined by a pair of spaced apart surfaces with all of the rotating members being on a common rotating shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels to articles being moved in a single-file along a conveyor assembly by a primary conveyor belt. Articles such as video cassette containers or CD containers are conveyed in an upright singulated fashion along a conveyor assembly. Each individual article enters a labeling station where the article contacts a biasing assembly that includes a biasing belt. The biasing belt exerts a lateral force on the article to press the article into contact with a stationary guide assembly. The biasing belt is operated at substantially the same speed as the primary conveyor belt such that the article is held in contact with the stationary guide assembly as the article moves along the labeling station. A labeling unit applies a label to the article as the article is held in contact with the stationary guide assembly by the biasing belt.

Abstract: A side seal assembly is provided in a conveyorized work supporting table with vacuum holddown for conveying work material covered with an air impermeable overlay sheet. The table has first and second longitudinally extending side members and has a plurality of bristle blocks forming a work supporting surface which are movable by a conveyor undersurface. The work supporting surface has first and second longitudinally extending side edges spaced laterally inwardly of the first and second side members respectively. The bristle blocks include a set of bristle blocks positioned side by side along the length of the table and define one of the side edges of the work supporting surface.

Abstract: A flexible drive tape conveyor system for conveying items between at least two spaced apart stations includes a carrier member and at least one tape guide track having a tape guide. The drive tape is substantially inflexible in a direction transverse to its width, and is at least partially housed in the tape guide. At least a portion of a tape guide track and tape guide are twisted about their longitudinal axis so that the drive tape and its affected carrier member can be turned in a direction transverse to the width of the drive tape. A drive mechanism is used to selectively reciprocate the drive tape and the carrier member between the spaced apart stations.

Abstract: A structure with idle rollers is intended for guide walls of goods conveyors comprising a surface for conveying the goods and at least one plate-like wall element extending longitudinally along the conveyor surface, adjacent to at least one of its edges, following its path. Roller-carriers each having a predetermined number of rollers mounted idly on axles and rotatable about rotation axes are snap-fitted on the plate-like wall element. The ends of the axles are supported by plates carried by the roller-carrier. The length of each roller-carrier depends on the minimum radius of curvature encountered in the path of the goods-conveying surface of the conveyor. The roller-carriers are connected to one another by snap-engagement members. The ends of the axles of the rollers are also snap-fitted in respective seats in the plates of the roller-carrier.

Abstract: Apparatus request for debarking logs comprising a generally horizontal rotary drum debarker having an inlet end, power drive device for continuously rotating the drum of the debarker generally about a horizontal axis, generally horizontal main conveyor element for conveying groups of tree length logs toward the drum, the main conveyor element having a discharge end below the axis of rotation of the drum, drive apparatus for continuously driving the main conveyor element, and auxiliary feed mechanism below the axis of rotation of the drum and between the discharge end of the main conveyor element and the inlet end of the drum for assisting the movement of groups of logs fed by the main conveyor element into the inlet end of the drum. The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/003,655, filed Dec. 7, 1994, 90/003,826 filed May 8, 1995, and 90/004,552 filed Feb.