Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with a conveyor belt that is arranged between a driving roller and a driven roller, and a regulating member that is arranged in parallel at the end of at least one of the driving roller and the driven roller. The regulating member includes a first regulation surface that makes the end edge of the conveyor belt contact and slide in horizontal direction when the conveyor belt runs and regulates the snaking of the conveyor belt, and a second regulation surface that protrudes from the first regulation surface so as to regulate the movement of the end edge of the conveyor belt in vertical direction.

Abstract: A conveyor track or path for piece goods, and in particular for luggage containers, including at least two conveyors carrying the piece goods. The conveyors are approximately parallel to one another in the transporting direction and separated by a distance from one another. At least one of the conveyors has a driven endless conveyor belt which is guided over deflecting wheels. The conveyor belt is supported by carrying rollers which are arranged successively, one behind the other, between the deflecting wheels, as viewed in the transporting direction. In a preferred arrangement, the conveyor track comprises a toothed belt with teeth arranged on the side of the conveyor belt facing away from the piece goods and the driven deflecting wheels are toothed disks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a curved belt conveyor, which comprises a curved belt between rollers, guide rollers supporting the inner peripheral edge of the curved belt, a driving roller set in the outer peripheral section of the curved belt, a pinch roller for pressing the forward run side of the curved belt against the driving roller, and a pinch roller for pressing the return run side of the curved belt against the driving roller. The pinch rollers are supported with their axial centers inclined with respect to the reference line. With the pinch rollers inclined to contact the curved belt, the outer peripheral section of the curved belt is driven towards the outside of turning, thereby preventing bulging and zigzag movement of the curved belt.

Abstract: A support rail for a table top chain abraded powder or similar substances which intervene between top plates and support rails of a table top chain. A support rail is secured to a conveyor frame by means of threaded screws so as to support both sides at the lower surface of a top plate of a table top chain. The support rail has a plurality of circular concave recesses formed on the sliding surface relative to the top plate in a zigzag pattern for trapping obstacles such as abraded powder, liquid or lubricant on the sliding surface. The concave recess does not penetrate through the surface to the rear face, but serves to accumulate the abraded powder or similar therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a curved belt conveyor, which comprises a curved belt between rollers, guide rollers supporting the inner peripheral edge of the curved belt, a driving roller set in the outer peripheral section of the curved belt, a pinch roller for pressing the forward run side of the curved belt against the driving roller, and a pinch roller for pressing the return run side of the curved belt against the driving roller. The pinch rollers are supported with their axial centers incline with respect to the reference line. With the pinch rollers inclined to contact the curved belt, the outer peripheral section of the curved belt is driven towards the outside of turning, thereby preventing bulging and zigzag movement of the curved belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor comprising a frame and an endless conveyor belt describing a bend, said conveyor belt near its ends being passed over reversing rollers which are journalled in the frame and which are rotatable about axes of rotation. On the outer side of the bend the endless conveyor belt is provided with a projecting collar, with which guide rollers make contact. A guide roller present under said belt and a guide roller present above said belt are connected to a supporting member, which freely rotatably supports a supporting roller for the conveyor belt. Spring means are provided, which act on the supporting member, in such a manner that the guide rollers connected to the supporting member transfer a force directed away from the inner side of the bend to the belt.

Abstract: An elongated low profile sheet metal tray has a bottom panel adapted to seat on the bolster plate of a stamping press under a die set. The panel supports adjacent upper and lower runs of an endless belt directed around guide rollers and a drive roller supported by cast support members removably connected to opposite ends of the tray. A motor and gear reducer unit is mounted on one support member and drives the belt drive roller, and the sheet metal tray has opposite integral side rails forming inclined surfaces and channel portions enclosing opposite edge portions of the belt. A sheet of plastics material extends between the bottom panel and the bottom run of the belt, and a detector senses belt stoppage for stopping the motor and stamping press.

Abstract: A guiding device is disclosed for a conveyor chain for transporting objects adapted to be carried by load-carriers which are connected or connectable to the conveyor chain, which is formed by a plurality of carrier elements arranged in a row and a connector for connecting the carrier elements to each other so that the chain may be deflected simultaneously both vertically and laterally. The guiding device comprises a channel including grooves in which the conveyor chain is intended to run and an inwardly facing sliding surface for guiding the conveyor chain, the inwardly facing sliding surface is adapted to the cross-sectional shape of the carrier elements, and the guiding device further includes a profile beam enclosing the channel, and including a longitudinal slot opening outwardly whereby the load-carriers connected to the conveyor chain are carried thereby, and the inwardly facing sliding surface comprises a plurality of slide elements including strip protrusions extending into the grooves in the channel.

Abstract: A guide track for use with a chain drive having roller chains is provided with a plurality of components assembled in end-to-end relation. The transition joints between the individual components are characterized by the component arranged upstream in the running direction of the chain drive having a substantially concave end face and the component arranged downstream in the running direction of the chain drive having a mating substantially concave end face thereby providing a substantially chatter-free junction.

Abstract: A color sorting apparatus for beans includes a transferring device for transferring beans to be sorted to a detection position, an illuminating device for illuminating the bean at the detection position, a light receiving device for receiving a transmitted light transmitted through the bean and outputting a detection signal, a control device for operating the detection signal, comparing the detection signal operated with a predetermined threshold value to determine whether the bean is a good or defective one, and outputting an ejection signal when the bean is determined as a defective one, and a sorting device for removing the defective bean based on the ejection signal. The transferring device includes two endless belts defining therebetween a parallel gap on which the beans are held and a driving motor for driving the endless belts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for stabilizing a thin, relatively frictionless conveyor belt against lateral movement. The typical belt is made of fiberglass and Teflon-coated and is mounted on rollers, one of which is a drive roller. The drive roller is equipped with at least one ridge disposed circumferentially adjacent an end thereof and the belt forms a track which receives the ridge as the roller rotates. The track, in turn, has mutually spaced holes along its length. The holes are disposed at least so that two contact the roller during each revolution, and the diameter of the ridge is less than one-half of the diameter of the hole. This tracking device then will maintain the belt during operation against lateral movement relative to the rollers.

Abstract: An improved, long-life grate bar for use in the traveling grate bar mechanism of a solid-fuel-burning furnace apparatus and having hard wear pad inserts which are disposed within the end portions of the grate bar which ride along support rails. The wear pad inserts can be fabricated from a hard nickel-steel alloy material and can be integrally formed in the grate bar.

Abstract: A bowling alley pit assembly for transferring bowling pins and balls to a pin elevator and ball return includes a base member having a forward and rear portion and a pair of laterally-spaced walls. The base member is disposed in a pit area of the bowling alley with the forward portion adjacent to the pin deck and the rear portion adjacent a pin elevating mechanism. A pair of rollers are disposed between the spaced walls and a motor is operatively connected to one of the rollers. A pit-wide endless belt passes around the rollers for moving fallen pins rearwardly away from the pin deck. The pit assembly also includes a one-piece or unitary, generally hollow, plastic bounce board disposed between the upper and lower portions of the endless belt and between the pair of rollers. The bounce board is transverse to the alley and defines two side-by-side, relatively flat portions which slope downwardly to form a shallow trough with a recessed area at one end thereof.

Abstract: A sealed linear motion apparatus and method are disclosed. The moveable surface of the apparatus is sealed to side members spaced across the moveable surface and adjacent to the opposite sides of the moveable surface. The seal comprises sealing members which make contact with both the side members and the moveable surface. The sealing members are typically made from polyurethane impregnated with polytetrafluorolethylene. In one embodiment, the apparatus is used as a linear position table. A controlled motor precisely positions a plate mounted to the moveable surface. In another embodiment, the apparatus is used as a conveyor in which the moveable surface moves continuously in one direction at a constant rate of speed. Because the apparatus is sealed, it may be used in certain applications such as clean room environments and those requiring wash down of equipment with high pressure, high temperature liquid or environments with abrasive contaminants in the air.

Abstract: A tandem belt conveyor system comprising an endless primary conveyor belt, an endless support conveyor belt and a synchronous drive for synchronously driving the primary and support conveyor belts. The primary conveyor belt is a flat wire belt having a carrier flight for transport of articles and a return flight. The support conveyor belt has a support flight for supporting the carrier flight of the primary conveyor belt, and a return flight. The support conveyor belt includes a pair of chains interconnected by transverse cross bars for supporting the primary conveyor belt. The synchronous drive includes an AC motor for driving one of the belts, a DC motor for driving the other belt, and a DC motor controller for controlling the AC and DC motors in master-slave relationship to synchronize the speeds of the belts.

Abstract: With a conveyor, in particular a positioning conveyor, having a driven chain system, higher transporting speeds, together with longer service life and less noise nuisance, are made possible by supporting the chain system on an endless runway.

Abstract: An metallic band apparatus, particularly for the conveyance of heavy loads. At each lateral edge of the band (1) is disposed a conveyor chain (2), each of the metallic plates (1') being connected to at least one of the links (2') of each conveyor chain (2). Sprockets (13) driving the roller chain or chains (4) are disposed, at each end of the apparatus, between the sprockets (11) driving the conveyor chains (2) and on the same shaft (8) as these latter, the drive connection between the two types of sprockets (11, 13) being such that the linear speed of the endless metallic band (1) is equal to twice the linear speed of the roller chains (4).

Abstract: A conveyor has a pair of conveyor rails and a conveyor belt supported on and guided by the conveyor rails. At least one of the conveyor rails includes an upper surface and opposite side surfaces. The at least one conveyor rail further includes a guide portion for guiding an outer side edge and the lower surface of at least a work conveying portion of the conveyor belt on which workpieces are supported to be conveyed. The upper surface and at least one of the side surfaces of at least one conveyor rail are provided with respective longitudinal T-grooves formed therein, extending along the length of the conveyor rail and having a cross section resembling the letter T.

Abstract: The mechanism for expelling residue from regions of entrapment within the baler includes a series of flat, peripherally corrugated, powered rotary elements projecting edgewise into the spaces between adjacent belts that bound the region in which the residue collects. The elements are mounted on a transverse shaft outside of the residue collecting region and across the outer face of the belts and are driven in such a manner that the residue engaging portions thereof move in a direction generally opposite to that of the proximal belts. Cylindrical hubs projecting laterally from opposite sides of each element underlie the adjacent belts to control slack in such a manner that any such slack is caused to accumulate on the upstream side of the axis of rotation of the elements rather than in the immediate vicinity of the elements, thus preventing injurious climbing of the belts onto the expeller elements.

Abstract: A conveyor chain trackway to receive a chain. The chain has first and second links, the latter alternating with the first. Each first and second link comprises a pair of spaced side members. There is a pivotal joint between neighbouring links. Spikes are formed on a plurality of first links to receive and locate a load. The trackway comprises a base member in the low friction layer on the base member and dimensioned to receive the second links. Side plates are spaced from each side of the base member. The side plates extend upwardly to be alongside the chain when the chain is in position. The side plates can be adjusted on the base to vary the distance from the base. Low friction distance pieces on the inner side of the side plate extend to contact and locate the chain. The chain is thus held on a fixed course and movement inwardly of the low friction distance pieces can compensate for wear in the chain.

Abstract: A bucket distribution system for receiving products at an infeed station and selectively discharging the products at a plurality of distribution stations. A plurality of buckets travel in a continuous path and each receive a predetermined portion of products at an infeed station. Bucket trip apparatus at each of the discharge stations selectively pivots the buckets in a direction opposite to the direction of bucket travel to cause the buckets to discharge products therein. Feeders at primary distribution stations are adapted to roll in and out of position for servicing. Products may recirculate within the system to thereby reduce the amount of products taken off-line.

Abstract: A drive frame (1) for a scraper chain conveyor comprises a pair of spaced-apart parallel sidewalls (2), interconnected by a cross-member (3) welded to both sidewalls (2); a sprocket barrel assembly (18) provided with at least one sprocket ring (19) adapted to engage at least one endless chain assembly of the conveyor; mutually engageable seating surfaces (23, 5) provided respectively on the sprocket barrel assembly (18) and on the cross-member (3); at least one abutment face (7) provided on the cross-member (3); at least one abutment face (26) provided on the sprocket barrel assembly (18) in close but spaced proximity from the cross-member abutment face (7) to define at least one upwardly open pocket (27); and a releasable fastener (28) for securing the sprocket barrel assembly (18) to the drive frame (1) via the seating surfaces (5, 23) that is lowerable into, and raisable from, the pocket (27), and that is also actuable and accessible from above.

Abstract: Attachments for a power turn which power turn has a frame having arcuate inner and outer sidewall portions and support plates forming extensions of the arcuate outer side wall portion and on which are rotatably mounted a driving roll and an idler roll. An endless belt is journaled around the driving and idler rolls and is moved thereby. A cover is mounted on the arcuate outer sidewall portion to cover the outer portion of the endless belt and an endless chain secured thereto and has a main body portion and two removable end portions. One end portion covers a sprocket of the driving roll and portions of the endless chain and the second removable end portion covers a sprocket of the idler roll and portions of the endless chain so that the removable end portions may be readily removed when it is desired to inspect these portions of the driving and idler rolls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feeder apparatus for timber harvesters, said apparatus being intended to pull the log in for trimming and preferably featuring a three strand roller chain rotating around a turning wheel and a cog wheel with log grabbing members attached to the outer plates to the roller links of the roller chain. It is the intention of the present invention to realize a track-operated feeder apparatus simpler yet sturdier than conventional designs. In a feeder apparatus in accordance with invention, the chain is powered by a cog wheel driving the center strand of roller links, and all strands of roller links are supported essentially for a grab length sufficient to provide a firm contact to the logs by rolling beds supporting the rollers.

Abstract: A conveying apparatus comprises a conveyor belt and a housing disposed atop a conveying surface of the belt to form a chamber communicating with that surface. A fluid sealing assembly extends between the housing and the belt and comprises a profile cord engaging the belt surface. The profile cord is free to change its shape to conform to the belt configuration. The profile cord is mounted at the free ends of spring fingers which are anchored to the housing. The regions between adjacent fingers are sealed by a sealing strip which engages the fingers. The spring fingers are formed by providing parallel slits in a spring steel plate.

Abstract: A guide height adjuster comprises a block consisting of a plurality of steps of different heights integrally joined together and having a slot formed to allow the passage of a screw across all the steps, a guide holder having a through hole for the insertion of the screw, and a guide to formed as to cover substantially a channel through which components being handled pass, the guide being secured to, and supported by, the guide holder. The guide holder rests on one of the steps and is fastened to the block by the screw so that the guide can be held above the channel. The height of the guide above the channel can be changed by loosening the screw and moving the block with respect to the screw, thereby shifting the guide holder to another block step of a desired height.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feeder apparatus for timber harvesters, the apparatus being intended to pull the log in for trimming and preferably featuring a three strand roller chain rotating around a turning wheel and a cog wheel with log grabbing members attached to the outer plates of the roller links of the roller chain. It is the intention of the present invention to realize a track-operated feeder apparatus simpler yet sturdier than conventional designs. In a feeder apparatus in accordance with invention, the chain is powered by a cog wheel driving the center strand of roller links, and all strands of roller links are supported essentially for their total grab length by rolling beds supporting the rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor belt made of plastic modules capable of being integrally driven by sprocket wheels. The modules are elongated molded bodies having projections extending integrally from the opposite sides thereof. The projections of adjacent modules are interdigited and connected by rods. The modules are provided with cylindrical driving surfaces in transverse openings therethrough which openings are each aligned with a different projection on one side of the bodies. The combination of projections and driving openings provides a foraminous belt, upon interconnection of the modules, allowing free circulation of gases and liquids through the belt for processing of products carried thereby and for cleaning and sterilization of the belt. The belt may be adapted to traverse a curved path.

Abstract: A food conveyor apparatus includes a frame, a cross support structure, and a platform. A plurality of rows of oblong holes are cut along the lengths of the platform, each row being offset from the adjacent rows of holes. The platform supports an endless mesh conveyor belt and containment clips mounted along the edges of the platform hold the conveyor belt on the platform. A plurality of vertical tubular supports are secured between the bottom of the platform and a plurality of horizontal tubular supports that extend across the width of the platform between the frame struts. A sideboard is mounted to the frame struts and positioned above the edges of the conveyor belt along the length of the platform.

Abstract: A chain conveyor in which two chains are connected together by scrapers and circulate in a casing, which are guided around rollers. In the direction of movement of the chain, in front of and above the entry of the chain into a roller, a shaped component is provided. The latter penetrates into the roller over a portion of the roller circumference. On its side remote from the roller, the shaped component is equipped with a deflector surface pointing towards the interior of the casing, the front edge of which surface is aligned with the shaped component.

Abstract: In order to protect the longitudinal edges of a link belt against damage or undue wear it is proposed to provide an edge guard comprising a multiplicity of guard elements engaged with the coils of the belt, the elements each comprising a body part for disposition adjacent the edge of the belt and a mounting element for engagement with a respective coil. The body part is preferably flexible, and the body parts of adjacent elements may partially overlie one another in providing a reinforcing wear resistant edge to the belt for protecting the ends of the coils.

Abstract: A retainer for preventing a conveyor drive chain from jumping off its sprocket is presented. The retainer comprises a shoe having a lining with an arcuate working surface of anti-friction material disposed over a lower run portion of the chain that is disposed over a drive sprocket. Coils springs bias the lining into engagement with the drive chain. Means are provided for maintaining the center of the working surface of the lining substantially concentric with the center of rotation of the drive sprocket.

Abstract: Vibrations in a taut flight of a photoconductive belt moving through the image projection zone or another processing zone of an electrostatic copying machine are suppressed by means of a closed flat plate surface disposed parallel to the belt flight at a small distance therefrom, such as a distance of 1 to 2 millimeters.

Abstract: The flat belt tire tester which permits mounting a wheel and tire to be tested about an axis positioned above a flat belt, and has framework and controls for lowering the tire into contact with the belt under desired loads, using desired adjustments for camber and steering. The belt is powered, and can thus be used for testing the tire under simulated road conditions. The mounting framework and belt mounting construction of the present invention provides substantial rigidity through having the mounting frame geometry properly oriented in relation to the contact surface of the belt and also by providing a stiff frame for the belt mounting drums or pulleys.

Abstract: In a fowl-feeding machine of the cable and spaced disk type, the improvement consisting in that pressing and positioning spacers urge from the top the disks as they travel on the trough bottom wall so as to maintain such disks in position. By so doing, no fodder build up can be experienced locally and it is possible to prevent fodder spillage.

Abstract: A filter is provided for removing particles entrained in a liquid, this filter comprising an endless fine mesh filter belt which is relatively short and which moves slowly over a supporting plurality of generally cylindrical rolls. This belt is a single layer of generally delicate woven metallic mesh and is provided with special means for moving and tracking the belt. This moving and tracking structure includes a link belt endless chain outside of each longitudinal side edge of the belt, these chains being rigidly attached over the adjacent edge of the belt. The belt can be held to its desired path around all of the supporting rolls and, preferably, over a suction box and past a cleaning point and returning to a starting point with no sensing devices, no special tracking rolls or tenter rolls, without powered devices, and with a minimum of close tolerance machining.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a belt stabilizing apparatus for maintaining a belt stable about a pair of rotating drums in response to lateral forces applied thereto. One of the drums is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the normal axis of rotation thereof and contained in a plane perpendicular to the planes containing the loaded and unloaded spans of the belt such that as the drum pivots in response to lateral forces the belt tends to move in a direction opposite thereto and resilient means is provided to limit the pivotal movement of the drum and prevent the belt from riding off the drums in such opposite direction.

Abstract: A conveyor belt guide comprises a plurality of guide sections, each including an integral polyurethane elongated rib and base web having a width substantially greater than the rib at its juncture with the web. The base web has a fabric backing molded thereon, upon molding of the rib and base web, at the side of the base web opposite the rib. Each section has tapered ends for cooperating with the ends of adjacent sections to prevent guide stripping. The base web has a greater thickness at its juncture to the rib than at its edges, thereby providing a predetermined primary wear area adjacent the rib and a low coefficient of friction between guide section and supporting slide bed. The sections are laid end-to-end into elongated relieved portions of multiple ply conveyor belts so the base web edges are within the belt plane, but the thicker portion of the belt supports the rib above the belt plane.

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 closed loop conveyor system comprising a cylindrical drive pulley and a cylindrical return pulley, each including at least one groove having a generally W-shaped transverse cross section, and a conveyor belt disposed around the drive pulley and return pulley and having a carcass with an exterior load-carrying surface and an interior surface that includes at least one groove-engaging rib formed in the direction of belt travel. The bottom surface of the rib has a transverse cross section in the shape of an inverted V serving to bifurcate the rib into two wedging portions which engage and are spread apart by the bottom wall of the groove, thereby causing the rib to lockingly mate with the groove.