Abstract: An improved spiral conveyor comprising a rigid integral central tubular core member which is arranged vertically dependent upon the desired height of the conveyor system. A continuous conveyor chain is moved over a pair of continuous spaced tracks which are mounted in a generally spiral path about the central member. The tracks are constructed and arranged to include flat surfaces disposed for minimizing frictional contact with the conveyor chain whereby the capstan affect is reduced. The chain is driven at its infeed and outfeed ends by an electric motor disposed at one of these locations and is reversible depending upon the desired direction of flow. The chain returns upon itself. The infeed and outfeed ends of the conveyor chain are arranged in tangential relationship with respect to the adjoining portion thereof to facilitate side transfer, if desired, of the conveyed product.

Abstract: An endless conveyer or drive belt reaches with a portion of its cross-sectional configuration facing toward respective guide or drive rollers, into corresponding ring grooves in the rollers. The projecting portion includes an endless helical spring partially embedded in the drive belt. The ends of the helical spring are connected to each other. The spring keeps the belt trained on the rollers.

Abstract: A conveyor belt roller having a pair of opposed double tracks or threads formed on the surface thereof. Each pair of tracks spirals around the roller a plurality of times to provide a respective double helix pattern track running left and right from the midpoint of said roller. Each respective double helix pattern track commences upon the roller surface at starting points positioned 180.degree. apart about the circumference of the roller, and extends to the respective ends of the roller. The roller also is provided with interchangeable bearing and shaft housings for mounting at the respective ends of the roller to maintain the same in desired disposition during operation of the conveyor belt associated with the roller.

Abstract: A self-tracking roller comprised of a plurality of individual elements is presented. These elements alternate between evenly distributed idler rings and spacer rings arranged in two groups having a central space therebetween. This central space permits two superimposed dual belts to form a sandwich for conveying solid material therein. Each idler or tracking ring has a conical shaped configuration which acts to urge a conveyor belt thereon toward the center of the roller. The relative dimensions and number of rings may be flexibly varied depending on the application. The result is a self-tracking roller aptly suited for use in conjunction with dual or sandwich conveyor belt systems.

Abstract: An apparatus in which lateral movement of a moving belt is controlled so that the belt moves in a pre-determined path. The apparatus includes at least one rotatably mounted roller having an elastic membrane entrained thereabout. The coefficient of friction between the elastic membrane and the roller is low so as to form a low friction interface therebetween. A pair of opposed, spaced flanges constrain the belt. As the belt moves in a lateral direction, one of the flanges engages a side edge of the belt to prevent lateral movement thereof. When the side edge of the belt engages the flange, the elastic membrane slips on the roller when the force applied on the side edge of the belt is greater than the maximum frictional force between the roller and the elastic membrane, in the direction of lateral movement of the belt.

Abstract: An endless belt with bottomless buckets or other gripping elements bolted to its outer surface at spaced locations, has endless wire ropes each loosely received in a longitudinal bore formed in confronting faces of two rows of discrete blocks of resilient material bolted to the inner surface of the belt to form a continuous rail member. The wire ropes are firmly coupled to the endless belt as they pass around end pulleys together by the wedging action created as the tension in the endless belt pulls the associated two rows of discrete blocks which have tapered side walls down into peripheral grooves in the end pulleys which also have tapered, but slightly narrower side walls. With the belt firmly coupled to the wire ropes, radial digging forces tending to pull the belt away from the end pulleys, and lateral forces generated as the digger is advanced into a pile of bulk material on a bias which tends to cause the belt to creep laterally on the pulleys, are resisted by tension developed in the wire ropes.

Abstract: A self-cleaning support for a conveyor belt having a shaft with first and second ends and a longitudinal center capable of being adapted to rotate at each of the ends. The shaft is provided with a first flighting to convey material from a first point proximate the longitudinal center toward the first end and a second flight to convey material from a second point proximate the longitudinal center towards the second end, with the first and second points being spaced apart. Two annular members are mounted at the first and second points respectively both encircling the shaft and defining axial openings permitting material to pass through to their respective flights. These annular members may provide a guide for the underside of the belt by being spaced apart to receive the width of a belt guide.

Abstract: An improved track belt assembly wherein the anchor plates have fastening means which are disposed axially inward of the reinforcing belt structure.

Abstract: An endless path conveyor of the type used for luggage handling, having crescent shaped pallets connected one to the next through pivotal connecting pins by offset link arms. The pivotal connecting pins have a cam follower which engages a helical groove in a drive screw located beneath the conveying surface. The cam follower is maintained in secure contact with the driving groove of the helical screw by limiting cam rollers, eliminating sideways movements of the pallets during engagement or disengagement of the cam follower with the helical screw drive. The driving groove has enlarged portions at either end to eliminate bumping motion of the conveyor links. The axis of the conveyor and of the links are offset from one another to minimize the gap formed when travelling through curved sections, allowing the maximum amount of conveying surface possible. Bearing and guide means are provided for a smoother, quiet drive, and to prevent tilting or inward collapse of the pallet links under heavy load.

Abstract: An endless belt tracking and tensioning arrangement which includes a control arrangement associated with one of the rollers to both maintain the tension in the endless belt and to provide a means of adjustment to such roller to compensate for imbalance of the tension forces on the endless belt.

Abstract: Web-tracking method and apparatus periodically reduces tension on endless web, laterally adjusts the position of the web, and then restores web tension.

Abstract: An apparatus which maintains a moving belt in lateral alignment. The belt is supported so as to form an arcuate region therein. A guide engages the side edge of the belt in the arcuate region to prevent lateral movement thereof.

Abstract: The device is so improved as to decrease the tensile forces to be exerted on the band. For this purpose, the axes of the lower rollers and upper rollers, when viewed in projection on a horizontal plane, make with the perpendicular to the line of travel of the band equal and opposite angles.Application in particular in vertical band accumulating means in continuous heat treatment furnaces.

Abstract: A support for a flat conveyor belt is disclosed which utilizes a pair of tapered rollers, one on each side of the belt's centerline. The rollers are mounted on shafts which are inclined to the plane of the belt such that the roller surfaces are parallel to the surface of the belt. The roller supporting shafts are also at an angle of less than 90.degree. to the centerline of the belt such that they converge either upstream or downstream of the belt with respect to the belt's direction of travel. The rollers are also free for a limited degree of travel in response to the bias given to them by the movement of the belt. The angular relationship of the shafts to the belt centerline can be varied resulting in lateral movement of the rollers. This results in vertical movement of the belt and thus a conveyor with the capacity to serve as an accumulator.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently feeding a series of like articles along a path so as to present them in succession to a plurality of operation stations where operations are performed upon the articles in sequence. The apparatus is provided with at least a pair of spaced drums mounted on parallel axes and a one-piece substantially non-stretchable belt passing around the drums. One of the spaced drums constitutes a driving drum and the other of the spaced drums constitutes a low inertia idler drum.

Abstract: A wire mesh band or belt with mutually crossing warp wires and weft wires for a conveyor system with grooved support rollers is provided with downwardly extending protrusions. The protrusions are warp wire free providing great flexibility for the band in the longitudinal direction. The protrusions can be formed in all the weft wires or only in selected strengthened weft wires with the remaining weft wires woven into the fabric after the protrusions are formed.

Abstract: A curved belt conveyor having a generally planar ring shaped belt supported and guided for movement along a closed path of travel having first and second generally parallel, spaced apart runs with an inner peripheral edge of the belt substantially defining an arc of the circle about a predetermined center. In accordance with the present invention, the inner peripheral edge of the belt is engaged by a plurality of guide rollers, each of which is mounted for individual independent movement radially of the arc described by the inner peripheral edge. The rollers are resiliently biased radially outwardly against the edge of the belt.

Abstract: A flexible endless belt in a belt-type conveyor for an agricultural machine has a central rib bonded to its inside surface, the construction and cross section of the rib being similar to that of a power transmission-type V belt. The conveyor rollers have central V-shaped grooves to mate with the rib on the belt. The conveyor is driven through an end roller, power being transmitted to the belt by the combined frictions between the roller and the flat and V sections of the belt respectively. On an idler roller at the other end of the conveyor, a pair of raised annular ridges straddle the V-shaped groove, thus increasing belt tension adjacent the groove and ensuring that of the forces controlling the tracking of the belt on the rollers, those deriving from the V belt in the V-shaped groove are dominant so that the belt tracks straight and remains centered on the rollers.

Abstract: A belt conveyor in which the belt travels around a lateral curve or curves and comprises load-supporting belt sections (2) pivoted between transverse rods (1), has guide blocks (4) at the ends of the transverse rods (1) with bearing parts (20) which co-operate substantially without friction with runners (5) at the or each curve to guide the belt in its travel with reduced wear and tension. Preferably the bearing parts (20) and runners (5) are made of self-lubricating material. In one form the bearing parts are horizontally facing channels (20) in the blocks (4) engaged by tongue portions (25) of the runners (5). The blocks each have two adjacent transverse rods (1) retained to them. The transverse rods are also connected by links (3) alternately arranged against external surfaces of the blocks (4) and in grooves (18) in the blocks where they are connected to the rods.

Abstract: An apparatus in which lateral movement of a moving belt is controlled so that the belt moves in a pre-determined path. The apparatus includes at least one moving member having a plurality of spaced, flexible discs extending outwardly from the exterior surface thereof. The portion or segment of the disc contacting the region of the belt passing thereover provides support therefor. Preventing the belt from deviating laterally from the pre-determined path deflects the portion or segments of the discs providing support for the belt. The deflected portion of the disc returns to the undeflected condition when not supporting the belt. In this manner, the maximum force applied to the belt never exceeds the minimum force required to buckle the belt.

Abstract: A belt conveyor idler has a rigid U-shaped channel which is fixedly mounted on a pair of spaced supports. A rigid strip of a low-friction material, such as a high molecular weight polyethelene, is fixedly mounted within the channel and extends transversely across the path of a conveyor belt for slidably supporting the conveyor belt. The channel and strip of low-friction material each have a complementary catenary configuration for the load-bearing troughing run of the conveyor belt, and a straight horizontal configuration for the return run of the belt. Belt retainer blocks are formed of the same low-friction material as the channel strip and are mounted on the ends of the channel strip to prevent excess sideways movement of the belt. The low-friction strips may be formed with a plurality of transverse slots to reduce the contact surface between the belt and strips. The idlers for both the troughing and return belt runs are free of any moving parts, yet provide a low-friction support for the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A plurality of print hammers disposed along a print station are caused to be swung against a print band and there is provided a top edge guide to limit upward movement of the band and maintain the print band in a precise path in its travel past the print station. The print band is trained around pulleys which are biased upwardly by light springs to maintain the band in contact with the top edge guide.

Abstract: An improved slat-type counting machine which prevents continuous miscounting of discrete articles, such as tablets, capsules, and the like, is disclosed. The slats are provided with conventional cavities, each of which carry a tablet or capsule therein to be counted. Each cavity is provided with a slit therethrough which slit penetrates the bottom of the cavity and partially into its supporting slat. The stationary ejector blade mechanism of the present invention is mounted to the counting machine. As the slats travel in a closed loop path, each slit is penetrated by a blade, the tip thereof entering the slit at a point beyond the bottom of the cavity to thereby eject any tablet wedged in the cavity, which tablets failed to discharge by force of gravity at a predetermined discharge station area. Means are also disclosed for adjusting and aligning the ejector blade mechanism with respect to the slit cavities disposed in the moving slats.

Abstract: A belt conveyor comprising an endless conveyor belt driven by a drive and having an upper and a lower part, the conveyor belt being provided near at least one edge with a detaining assembly which engages a guide and which are locked by this guide against displacement in the direction away from the guide. According to the invention the detaining assembly is in engagement with guide discs which are rotatably supported adjacent the conveyor belt and which forms the guide, while the drive engages the detaining assembly and drive the conveyor belt through the detaining assembly.

Abstract: A strip control system and steering roll which may be utilized in a rolling mill. The steering roll, having a semi-cylindrical outer shell, contacts a strip or web of material being processed. A degree of axial freedom is provided each half of the outer shell. A sensor capable of detecting strip or web off tracking is linked to at least one actuator which may impart an axial force to the outer shell to realign both the shell and material thereon. An opposing spring mechanism acts upon a traverse guide to automatically recenter the outer shell portion not in contact with the material being processed.

Abstract: A guide assembly for defining a curved path for a link type conveyor. The guide assembly includes individual curved guides having flanges defining support and guide rails for link elements of the conveyor. The guide rails are mounted in pairs and include an inner guide rail and an outer guide rail. At least the inner guide rail is provided with closely adjacent rollers against which the conveyor links ride and which rollers primarily define the path of movement of the conveyor around the curve. Each roller is carried by one rail of its respective guide and is mounted on a removable shaft in the form of a threaded fastener. The other rail of the guide is provided with an access opening, which access opening also provides for the ventilation of the roller so as to cool the roller.

Abstract: Ribbing configuration for use on a tracking roller for positive belt traction in which the roller's cylindrical surface has shallow V-shaped grooves defining lands which spiral oppositely outward from the center of the roller.

Abstract: The conveyor system includes a guide mechanism defining longitudinally disposed sliding surfaces for guiding rib means secured to the conveyor belt for controlling vertical movement of the runs of the conveyor and in addition defines a slot for restricting lateral movement of the conveyor. This design provides accurate control of the positions of the conveyor, which thus serves to limit the space that must be provided for conveyor systems, particularly of those types that are quite long.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling the position of a moving web. The web passes between a driven roll and a pair of pressure applicators that are positioned on either side of center of the web path. Edge sensors are located adjacent the driven roll and are operatively connected with the pressure applicators. Once the web misalignment is sensed, the opposite pressure applicator is actuated to apply pressure against the web. The driven roll, preferably a scroll roll, then drives the web in the direction of the pressure applicator until the web returns to proper alignment and the pressure applicator is deactuated. The pressure applicator is preferably a device that is brought into contact with the web and applies frictional forces thereon to cause movement of the web along the roll, while avoiding any substantial frictional forces axially with respect to the normal web path. Structure is also disclosed to uncurl rolled selvages of a moving web.

Abstract: In an arrangement in which a group of roller chains packed closely together, side by side, in a manner in which they can advance independently of each other, with the chains advancing parallel to each other in common plane in one area and the chains leaving the common plane at one point and thereafter following separate paths and then coming together again at an entry point for the common plane, guides are provided to prevent adjacent roller chains from running up on to each other as they return to the common plane.

Abstract: A belt-type conveyor having an endless belt supported on a pair of spaced end rollers. The upper reach of the belt is adapted to have articles supported thereon for transporting thereof. A drive system is interconnected to both end rollers to simultaneously rotatably drive same, which end rollers in turn drive the belt. This drive system permits the upper reach of the belt to be maintained relatively free of tension so that the upper reach will readily conform to a guide structure which is positioned thereunder for slidably supporting same. The conveyor is particularly suitable for use as an inclined conveyor to permit lifting of articles on the upper belt reach, which upper reach can be bent upwardly from a horizontal position without requiring top guide rails or other hold-down devices.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor with an improved guide for a spray booth loop and other arcuate track portions. The guide is an annular ring which bears against the conveyor chain and which is rotatably supported for movement with the conveyor chain by a first set of rollers which contacts the undersurface of the annular ring, a second set of rollers which contacts an inner circular flange of the annular ring and a third set of rollers which contacts a top surface of the annular ring.

Abstract: A closed loop conveyor system for transporting loads from one point to another and including a drive pulley and a return pulley, either or both pulleys having a plurality of cleat receiving annular grooves, and a conveyor belt having an exterior load carrying surface, and an interior surface with a plurality of longitudinal rows of cleats protruding therefrom, the belt being disposed around the drive and return pulleys and adapted to be driven by the drive pulley. The interaction between the pulley grooves and cleats provides superior drive force transmission from pulley to belt and provides positive belt alignment even under severe off-center or side load conditions.