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: 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 method for transferring book blocks or the like into a transport device of a bookbinding machine. The book block is first clamped in a force-locking manner. At least one corner of the back edge or of the front edge of the book block is aligned with a position, which can be set in a predefined manner, by relative displacement of the two sides of the book block in the plane of the book block. The book block is then clamped in a force-locking manner by the transport device.

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: A clamp system for use on a belt conveyer for securing and supporting rubber skirtboards from the skirt plates of the conveyor. The clamp system includes first and second stationary supports secured to the skirt plates, a press bar hinged to the lower end of each stationary support, and pressure adjustment means for applying force against the press bar to bias the press bar against one of the skirtboards. As the lower edge of the skirtboard wears away, the clamp can be loosened to enable the skirtboard to be moved downwardly toward the conveyor belt.

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 part (2) comprising first means (3) for removably fixing a portion (15A) of one (15) of said components, and a second part (5) comprising second means (6) for removably fixing a tubular portion (7A) of said other component (7), in which the first and second fixing means (3, 6) are distinct and separated from each other, the first fixing means (3) comprise a plurality of slotted apertures (3A-D), and the second fixing means (6) comprise an expansion member (8) able to expand within said tubular portion (7A) to fix it to said second part (5).

Abstract: A conveyer device for bookbinding machines having a number of processing stations and having plate or cleated chains or the like which take over book blocks and convey them intermittently to the processing stations. The plate or cleated chains are driven in a circulating manner and have chain beams that act in opposite directions to one another. The chain beams include longitudinal bearers and longitudinal guides on which strands of the plate or cleated chains are supported. In order to shorten the set-up time, the distance of the chain beams of the plate or cleated chains from one another is varied by a setting drive via setting members for the purpose of adapting to different thicknesses of book blocks. The thickness of a particular book block is automatically determined in the setting-up operation via a measuring arrangement in the intake.

Abstract: A variable-width spacer for use in a conveying apparatus includes a first link and a second link on opposite widthwise side of the spacer. The links can move relative to each other in a widthwise direction of the spacer to vary its width. The spacer can be used to fill a gap between adjoining members of a conveying apparatus, such as between two conveyor belts.

Abstract: A braking system is provided along one of a pair of guide rails of an air conveyor that transports plastic bottles along a pathway between the pair of guide rails. The braking system is selectively actuated to move into the pathway defined by the guide rails decreasing its width and positioning a stop of the braking system in the pathway where it will engage with bottles conveyed by the air conveyor slowing and eventually stopping the bottles.

Abstract: A system for remote adjusting of guide rail positions along a conveyor. The guide rails are adjusted to allow the conveyor to accommodate product packages of various shapes and sizes. A moveable guide rail assembly is positioned along a conveyor and is in mechanical connection with the piston rod of an actuator cylinder. A guide rail control device is fluidly connected with the actuator cylinder and it translates a mechanical input to a fluidic output that is communicated with the piston of the actuator cylinder to thereby move the guide rail assembly into a new adjustment position. The system can provide simultaneous adjustment of numerous guard rail segments from a remote guide rail control device while providing accurate non-drift infinitely-adjustable positioning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured to be mounted to a conveyor body. The support bracket is preferably formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected at one end to the mounting segment and at another end, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob.

Abstract: A modular conveyor beam assembly is disclosed using readily removable stock components comprising a conveyor beam having an upper surface; a plurality of brackets mounted on the upper surface; a wearstrip mounted to the plurality of brackets; an endless chain having a conveying portion and a return portion, the conveying portion supported by the wearstrip; a plurality of support segments to receive the return portion of the endless chain; and an apex formed in the upper surface of the conveyor beam to drain the conveyor beam after washing. In a preferred embodiment, the modular conveyor beam assembly further comprises a first member contained in at least one bracket for mounting a guide rail section and a first mount element wherein a position of the guide rail section is adjustable, and wherein the support segments join substantially flat, planar side surfaces of the conveyor beam and are freely removable.

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: For steering a conveyor belt (11) and centring the same relative to the intended path of travel of the belt, use is made of a belt position detecting means (22, 23) and belt readjusting means (24). The belt readjusting means (24) is a belt support roller (24) which is adapted to engage and roll against the belt and which is pivotable relative to the belt. According to the invention, the belt position detecting means (22, 23) and the belt support roller (24) are arranged on a roller cradle (21) which is connected with a frame (29) by means of inclined links (30) for pivoting and setting the belt support roller (24) in a pivoting position, in which the belt support roller by engaging the belt exerts a readjustment force thereon.

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 clamping member for a support pin of components for belt conveyors, for example guide elements. The clamping member having a cylindrical housing and a throughbore extending through the housing for receiving the pin. The clamping member includes a spring loaded movable element coaxially arranged within the housing and being adapted to securely retain the pin within the clamping member. The movable element is selectively movable within the housing from a locked position in which the pin is securely retained in the housing to a clearance position in which the pin can be manually removed from the housing.

Abstract: A conveying device for book binding machines having continous plate or cleated chains or similar conveying machanism. The conveying device includes oppositely disposed logitudinal guides which support the plate or pleated chains for clamping inner books or books therebetween. In a defined subsection of the conveying device, apparatus are provided for opening and closing the subsection for releasing and capturing the book or inner book. Such apparatus includes working cylinders which act on sections of the longitudinal guides, and thereby the plate or cleated chain, to increase or decrease the distance between the longitudinal guides in the subsection.

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: An adjustable guide rail system for guiding containers transported on a conveyor in a container processing production line that allows adjustment of the distance between the opposing guide rails to accommodate containers of different dimensions and configurations. The adjustable guide rail system comprises sections of guide rail, a reversible motorized actuator and a motion converter driven by said reversible motorized actuator which is coupled to the sections of guide rail to automatically adjust the width of the path of the containers being transported on the conveyor.

Abstract: A strand guide, in particular for a continuous slab-casting plant for steel, with supporting segments in which frames are arranged that have rows of guide rollers and driving rollers arranged opposite one another, wherein the frames are held opposite one another by tie rods. Two guide members are provided at one end of a frame at equal distance from the center axis. The guide members are fastened to at least one fixed point via holding elements and are arranged conically at an opening angle relative to one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the relative position of side-walls (11,11a,12,12a,13,13a) delimiting channels for receiving containers (2) in machines (1) for forming arrays of containers, the apparatus comprising actuating devices (21,22,23) arranged in a substantially transverse direction with respect to the direction of feeding of the containers (2) and connected to the side-walls by associated coupling mechanism (61,62,63), a device (30) also being provided for operating the actuating devices (21,22,23).

Abstract: The present invention provides a guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured to be mounted to a conveyor body. The support bracket is preferably formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected at one end to the mounting segment and at another end, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob.