Abstract: A product management system (100) includes—a continuous first track (104), including a lug queuing section (108), a lug engagement section (110), and a product engagement section (112), each section being configured and adapted to effectuate specific lug movement steps, —a continuous chain (116) partially following the track configured and adapted to actuate lugs (106) about at least a portion of the track, —a series of lugs (106) moveably disposed along the track (104) configured for moving a product along the product engagement section of the track, —a star wheel (120) disposed at the lug engagement section (110) of the track (104) configured for metering lugs (106) to engage the chain (116) from the queuing section (108) of the track (104) and to control a variable pitch between each of the lugs along the transferring chain, —and a magnetism source (122) configured to direct the lugs (106) to the queuing section (108), and to the end of the queuing section (108).

Abstract: A carrier for receiving and restraining a container against rotation during an automated filling and capping operation includes an array of modular container housings. A bumper is disposed below the housing and projects outwardly to cushion the carrier against impact. The bumper is supported by a base. Structure extends from the housing through the bumper and into the base to secure the carrier. One housing module includes a recess having container abutment surfaces and angled surfaces at the opening to guide a container into engagement with the abutments. One housing module includes a recess having ribs separated by relief vents to relieve air pressure as a container is loaded into the carrier. One housing module includes a container holder having a pair of upright supports separated by side openings. The bumper and the base each including a weight positioned at a selected location to uphold the filled container.

Abstract: Carrier puck for a conveyor system, comprising a non-circular lower body, an upper body and an intermediate circular portion connecting the non-circular lower body with the upper body, where the rear section of the non-circular lower body comprises a further semicircular shape having the same radius as the semicircular front section and further comprises an intermediate waist in between the front section and the rear section.

Abstract: A conveying device includes a supporting platform, a rolling member, a driving member, and a conveying assembly. The rolling member rotatably is mounted on the supporting platform. The driving member is connected to the rolling member, for driving the rolling member to rotate along an axis. The conveying assembly includes a supporting member, a fixing member, and several rollers. The fixing member is mounted on a side of the supporting member towards the supporting platform, and defines an arcuate mounting surface. The rollers are mounted on the arcuate mounting surface, and resist the rolling member. Sets of two rollers are located on opposite sides of the rolling member. The rotation axes of the rollers are inclined relative to the rotation axis of the rolling member, which enable the rotation of the rolling member to drive the rollers to rotate and slide along the rolling member.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for poultry is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes one or more transfer units placed intermediate of conveying poultry from, a first line to a subsequent second line, wherein both the first line and the second line are selected from the group including a slaughtering line, an evisceration line, a chilling line, a sorting line and a cutup line. Each transfer unit is embodied with a circulating support that includes material that is magnetically conductive and transfer means are provided with at least one magnet so as to induce eddy currents in the circulating support that counteracts relative motion between the transfer means and the circulating support.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a system for conveying apparatus over a conveyor belt assembly. The system includes a set of pallets which support the apparatus and travel within parallel driving conveyors of the conveyor belt assembly. While the pallets in both driving conveyors are capable of rotation, only the pallets in one of the driving conveyors may move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel so that the apparatus may be centred over the conveyor belt assembly when the pallets are in motion.

Abstract: A method for replacing a first sample carried on a moving secondary conveyor onto a moving primary conveyor at a potential interference point while the primary conveyor is transporting a second sample.

Abstract: A carrier for transporting at least one container along a conveying path, has a base that can be placed on a conveyor surface of the conveying path, and at least one retaining plate for retaining the container at least during transport. The container has a lower region and a head region on the top, and the retaining plate is configured and disposed in the carrier for engaging at the head region of the suspended container. The container is inserted into the carrier such that it is supported at the head region of the carrier and is retained during transport in a suspended manner.

Abstract: A workpiece carrier system for the loose support on a friction conveyor comprises a displacement element. The displacement element has a friction surface adjacent to drive elements, such as drive rollers of the friction conveyor for displacing the workpiece carrier system. The displacement element is connected with a carrier element for receiving a workpiece. Support elements are connected with the carrier element for absorbing part of the workpiece weight.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for loading a plurality of items into a plurality of containers. The system may include a plurality of pucks, each puck adapted to retain an item. A puck delivery sub-system may include a puck-infeed conveyor to move each of the pucks along an in-feed conveyor path, and a transition apparatus operable to facilitate the transition of the pucks to a continuous puck unloading conveyor. The puck un-loading conveyor may have a releasable engagement mechanism such that when each of the pucks is engaged with said puck unloading conveyor, each of said pucks is fixed in a relative longitudinal position relative to the puck unloading conveyor. An item transfer apparatus may transfer an item from each puck when engaged with the puck un-loading conveyor, to a corresponding container.

Abstract: A device is provided for displacing gas turbines, especially during maintenance thereof. The device comprises several transporter platforms which are arranged behind each other. At least one gas turbine can be positioned on each of the transporter platforms. The or each gas turbine can be displaced by displacing the transporter platforms.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor track and at least one workpiece carrier that includes a first control curve and a second control curve, and a first control curve tracker and a second control curve tracker that are assigned to the conveyor track. The first control curve tracker is arranged in a first control engagement with the first control curve, and the second control curve tracker is arranged in a second control engagement with the second control curve. The control curves and associated control curve trackers are arranged so that the at least one workpiece carrier can be deflected laterally off of a subsection of the conveyor track via the interaction of the first control engagement and the second control engagement.

Abstract: A conveyor having an array of rollers defining a transport plane is used with pallets each having supports forming an upwardly open saddle adapted to hold a coil of metal strip, and a pair of generally parallel and longitudinally extending rails underneath and fixed to the supports. Each rail has a downwardly directed face adapted to ride directly on the rollers and having a generally planar center region and a pair of upwardly angled end regions each forming a small acute angle with the respective center region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overhead conveyor of the type that comprises at least one drive carriage (13) which is drivably arranged in a girder system and from which load-holding means (18) are suspended, and where the girder system comprises an elongate straight box girder (9) having a first inner space with rails (12) for the drive carriage (13) and a second elongate inner space comprising a driven endless belt (5, 6) with means (23) to be drivingly connected to the drive carriage.(13).

Abstract: A load carrier is designed for use with a work piece conveying apparatus, the work piece conveying apparatus including a conveyor chain for conveying a plurality of load carriers via transfer of friction forces onto the load carriers and a guiding rail for guiding and supporting the conveyor chain and the load carriers, the conveyer chain running in a recessed track of the guiding rail and the guiding rail having a supporting surface laterally extending on both sides of the recessed track.

Abstract: The invention provides a plant base comprising a base section with a seat for a plant pot, in which a tail section extends in a horizontal direction from the rear of the base section. A groove/protuberance combination is provided at the front of the base section and the rear of the tail section that is able to be accommodated in the groove of another corresponding plant base. The groove and the protuberance each has a support surface that is lower or higher than the support surface of the groove, such that when the protuberance of the plant base has been taken up in the groove of the other plant base, one of the two plant bases is lifted from the substrate at the location of the engaging protuberance and groove. Thus, the invention provides a plant base that continuously retains the same orientation during transport over a conveyor belt, with successive plant bases kept a sufficient distance apart.

Abstract: A braking device for a pallet intended to run in a conveying track. The braking device includes a matrix and a braking element. The matrix includes the support service and exterior surface and a recess having various screws and openings. The braking element includes at least two protrusions which are disposed within the grooves of the matrix and project outwardly from the openings of the matrix at various stages of braking.

Abstract: A wet chip pick-up assembly includes a slotted rotary drum. A comb member is seated for movement in each of the drum slots. A friction drive assembly frictionally engages the drum causing the drum to rotate which, in turn, causes the comb members to rotate.

Abstract: A rail guidable conveying device for conveying sheet-like products (21) in a conveying direction (F), having a guide part (2), a carrying part (3) which is arranged on the guide part and is configured for retaining a product, and a coupling part (4), which can be magnetically coupled to a drive means (5) and is configured such that the strength of the coupling to the drive means is variable. The invention also relates to a conveying apparatus having a drive means and a plurality of the conveying devices.

Abstract: A rotatable frame mounted on a base with trunnions. The frame can support a workpiece on more than one surface and can have workpiece engaging devices such as clamps, locating pins or nesting fixtures on both sides. The engaging devices can be different on different sides of the frame. The frame can be rotated by an electric motor, a pneumatic motor or a hydraulic motor. The frame can be expandable to accommodate frames of different sizes. The workstation can have a plurality of trunnion mounted fixtures positioned next to each other and a robot moveable between the fixtures. The frames can be replaced with a lifting device moving along an overhead rail. The frame includes an aperture positioned along the rotational axis of the frame for communicating power from an external power source to workpiece engaging devices.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor or transport system is disclosed where at least one carriage is supported on a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted in fixed overhead locations spaced along a path of travel. At least one motor is provided for driving a portion of the plurality of rollers in rotation along at least one segment of the path of travel. Each carriage has at least one elongate support member operably engagable with the rollers for movement along the path of travel in response to rotation of the rollers. The elongate support member is continuously engagable with at least two rollers simultaneously while the corresponding carriage is moved along the path of travel. Each carriage or carrier hangs downwardly below the rotational axis of the overhead rollers.

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 conveyor device comprising a guiding rail for guiding at least one transport mechanism. A ferromagnetic guide, including a magnet, is fixed to the guiding rail. An article carrying part is detachably connected to the transport mechanism through a magnetic circuit that flows through two spaced apart ferromagnetic guide parts carried by the transport mechanism. The ferromagnetic guide and the ferromagnetic guide parts are located relative to each other such that there is an air gap there between through which the magnetic circuit flows to create an attractive force, Fm, holding the article carrying part on the transport mechanism.

Abstract: A friction drive system floor conveyor includes a tubular guide rail laid along a conveyor line, a tubular support rail laid directly above, and disposed in parallel relation to, the tubular guide rail, multiple inverted J-shaped carriers having rollers pivoted freely at their upper ends for engagement with the upper side of the support rail, and a pair of guide rollers freely pivoted at the lower end to engage opposite sides of the guide rail, a driven bar linking bases of the carriers, a carriage support bracket installed upright on the driven bar, and a friction drive disposed along the conveyor line. The friction drive system floor conveyor achieves a stable conveyance with low noise, and without roll or rattling while conveying heavy materials or articles, simplifies system construction, and facilitates system maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus for retention and release of pallets used in a production line system comprising pallets, means for advancing pallets, latching means, rolling means, and a rail member, wherein the latching means are pivotally coupled to the advancing means to allow pivoting of the latching means about a horizontal axis, the rolling means are affixed to the latching means, and the rail member is adapted to exert an upward force on the rolling means during advancement of the pallet for causing pivotal rotation of the latching means for sequential release of each pallet when removal of the pallet is desired.

Abstract: A director assembly for selectively directing a transport carrier from one conveyor path portion to another. The director assembly having a pair of spaced director rails positioned below and in between drive and support rails of the conveyor. The pair of spaced director rails can be selectively raised and rotated and then lowered to direct the carrier to the new path portion.

Abstract: A roller conveyor for conveying an elongated article includes a row of drive roller units arranged in a conveyance direction of the elongated articles at intervals smaller than the length of a roller engagement portion of the elongated article. The drive roller units each includes a drive roller for frictionally driving the elongated article in the longitudinal direction thereof while engaging the roller engagement portion of the elongated article, a floating support frame rotatably supporting thereon the drive roller and being attached to a fixed member of the roller conveyor so as to enable an outer peripheral surface of the drive roller to move toward and away from the roller engagement portion of the elongated article, and an urging member for urging the floating support frame in a direction to force the outer peripheral surface of the drive roller against the roller engagement portion of the elongated article.

Abstract: A force transmission or transport device having a line of force transmitting elements (2), a guide (1) for guiding the line of force transmitting elements (2) along a predetermined course, and at least one drive. A tensioning drive (6) is provided at one end of a section (5) of the predetermined course. A further drive (3), or an intermitting stop (9), is provided at the other end of the section (5) for tensioning the line of force transmitting elements (2) by a tractive or a compressive load. The further drive (3) or stop (9) acts substantially without slippage on the force transmitting elements (2). The tensioning drive (6), via a friction clutch, starts slipping when the desired tension has built up.

Abstract: A system is provided, in which the drive chain has features that permit control of the threshold driving force that will be reached before the chain's carrier rollers begin to rotate to permit accumulation or slip. The threshold driving force is controlled by friction members which are located between split portions of the carrier rollers and by the angle of the outer surface of the carrier rollers as well as by the amount of force provided by a biasing member. The threshold force depends upon the angle and the amount of biasing force.