Abstract: Disclosed is an ordered food and drink conveyance apparatus capable of reducing the number of man-hours required for conveying food and drink in a store as much as possible. A lifting device that raises food and drink placed on a belt conveyor and separates it from the belt conveyor is provided at an end point or in the middle of a conveyance path from a kitchen side to a customer seat floor side of a restaurant.

Abstract: A thermal scavenging system to remove remnant lubricants from interior of bright annealing steel tubes is provided. The system is retrofitted to bright annealing furnace with a conveyer belt and hydrogen gas source and comprises hydrogen-blowing rack, flexible rubber hoses and a lighter. The tubes are placed on the conveyer belt. The hydrogen-blowing rack comprises a hydrogen gas manifold and outlet nozzles connected to tailing ends of the tubes by flexible rubber hoses. At the leading ends of the tubes, a lighter ignites the hydrogen gas to insure all tubes are filled with hydrogen gas, instead of atmospheric air. Then rubber hoses are unplugged from the leading ends and the hydrogen-filled tubes are fed into the furnace for heat treatment. At high annealing temperature, lubricant remnants are burned off the tube's interior surfaces. A negative difference in atmospheric pressure, combustion products of hydrocarbons are scavenged out from the tailing ends.

Abstract: A system for processing substrates in plasma chambers, such that all substrates transport and loading/unloading operations are performed in atmospheric environment, but processing is performed in vacuum environment. The substrates are transported throughout the system on carriers. The system's chambers are arranged linearly, such that carriers move from one chamber directly to the next. A conveyor, placed above or below the system's chambers, returns the carriers to the system's entry area after processing is completed. The carriers are configured for supporting substrates of different sizes. The carriers are also configured for flipping the substrates such that both surfaces of the substrates may be processed.

Abstract: A gripper (12) is disclosed having a base (24) that extends from a first end a second end and includes resilient (32) fingers that extend from the base between the first end and the second end. The resilient fingers (32) may be configured to generally conform to and engage with articles (34) being transferred when the base is mounted to a conveyor.

Abstract: A device for filling containers, in particular bottles or beakers with food products, comprising: an upper main element, a lower main element which are the main elements of the device; lateral elements connecting the main elements; a plurality of support elements continuously arranged at one another without a continuous drive device and provided with receivers for the containers and moved through the device and along the elements and along operating stations; running rails on which the support elements rest while being moved through the main elements; a drive which moves the support elements at least along the operating stations; and at least one lateral element configured as an elevator through which the support elements alternate between the main elements when moving through the device, wherein the elevator includes a exclusively vertically movable lifting device for moving the support elements from one main element into another main element.

Abstract: A conveyor system is provided with a plurality of support members which are erected and spaced apart from each other, a plurality of holding units on which the plurality of support members are held, and a drive unit that moves the holding units in a conveying direction. A supporting plane on which a workpiece is supported and conveyed is formed by distal end portions of the support members. The support members are movable in parallel with respect to the supporting plane.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a carrier puck for a conveyer system, the carrier puck comprising a circular lower body, and an upper body attached to the circular lower body, and where the puck further comprises a slide ring arranged in a ring groove positioned above a lower contact surface of the lower body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modular conveyor belt device with a system for easy removal of the belt modules. The belt comprises at least one driving chain and a plurality of belt modules extending transversally and parallely mounted over the entire length of the chains. The belt modules include underside openings, shaped to receive a locking pin extending outwardly from the driving chains and comprising a notch. The belt modules further include side openings intersecting with corresponding bottom openings in which fasteners are removably mounted. Each fastener comprises a projection positionable between a locked configuration and a released configuration. In the locked configuration the projection is embedded in the notch of the locking pin whereas the projection is disembedded from the notch of the locking pin when in the released configuration. The device using the disclosed locking system provides excellent locking capabilities while offering fast and easy removal of the belt modules.

Abstract: Manufacture of electronic devices is usually accomplished through automated assembly lines using automated conveyors. These automated conveyors, typically comprising metallic components, cannot convey electronic devices into an RF chamber for testing (e.g., RF) during manufacture without compromising the efficacy of the shielding provided by the RF chamber. Thus, although electronic devices are assembled on automated assembly lines, a device is typically removed from the automated assembly line for testing, transported manually into an RF chamber, powered on, and then tested. After testing, the electronic device is powered down, manually removed from the RF chamber, and returned to the assembly line. Described herein are embodiments of a system and method to automatically transport electronic devices under power through an RF isolated chamber for testing (e.g., RF) as part of an automated assembly line process resulting in a dramatic increase in the number of electronic devices that can be tested.

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: For use in a blow molding machine for containers, especially plastic bottles, a production line is provided for thermally pretreating preforms transported by holders, where each holder is loaded with at least one exchangeably fixed fitting such as a shielding plate. To reduce the exchange period for the holders the fitting is secured by a quick-change element which remains on the holder during the exchange and is adjustable on the holder between a secured position and a release position by the application of an external force, and which can be adjusted manually and/or mechanically.

Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing a viscous or semisolid product. The device includes a versatile product holding tray for manufacturing or forming the product. This tray is a polygonal member that includes a top surface for receiving the liquid or semisolid product, and a plurality of sides wherein at least one side includes a registration recess that is configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a retaining bar of an endless conveyor to facilitate positioning of the tray upon the conveyor so that the retaining bar advances the tray during manufacture of the product. The device also includes an endless conveyor that includes a plurality of spaced tray retainer bars thereon for holding and advancing the tray to one or more product forming stations for forming the product on the trays.

Abstract: A conveyance device uses a simple structure to cause a travel body on which food and drink are placed to travel stably. The conveyance device (10) causes the travel body (11) to travel and convey the food and drink that can be placed on the travel body (11). The conveyance device (10) has a conveyance drive section (13) provided along a travel path (12) on which the travel body (11) travels and also has a travel body connection section (14) connected to the travel body (11) and moving in the direction of travel of the travel body (11) by being driven by the conveyance drive section (13). The conveyance drive section (13) is placed on a side of the travel path (12).

Abstract: A Non-Synchronous conveyor which utilizes fixtures or pallets to transport a product from point to point. The fixtures follow a roller chain with special attachments. The roller chain is driven by a sprocket. The fixtures or pallets are supported by roller assemblies which roll along the conveyor frames. Pneumatic cylinders are triggered by electric solenoid operated valves to block the path of the fixture, thus stopping the fixture in desired locations or work station.

Abstract: The device for transporting containers comprises a cogged belt which extends along a ring-wound trajectory and is wound on at least a pair of cogged wheels which are rotatable on vertical axes, and a plurality of regularly distanced support means borne on the external surface of the cogged belt, which receive respective containers. The cogged belt bears a plurality of skates constrained to the internal surface thereof which engage with guide means that are solidly restrained to a fixed structure of the device, in order to constitute a lateral constraint which prevents transversal movements and deformation of the cogged belt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wafer holder and a related wafer conveyor system. The wafer holder holds a wafer and moves horizontally within a chamber. A contact area between the wafer and the wafer holder is reduced, and potential contaminants generated by ear between components of the wafer holder are trapped by an airtight cover. Since the wafer holder moves horizontally while being fixed to a guide rail, the wafer conveyor system reduces friction between the guide rail and the wafer holder.

Abstract: A top plate conveyor device, in which vibrations and noises are reduced, and the structure is simple and the production assembly and handling are easy. Top plates 110 are removably provided on a rubber toothed belt 120 by engagement members 111 provided on the back surfaces of the top plates 110, and engagement members 111 include sandwiching portions 112 which sandwich the toothed belt 120 from both outer sides in the width direction and terminate in pawl portions 113, which snap-connect the top plates to the toothed belt 120.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating such as printing objects transports the objects through treatment stations along a transport path using at least one transport means. The transport means is in the form of an endless flexible belt which circulates in a vertical plane and which is provided at its outer surface with holding means for the objects to be decorated. The holding means are in the form of flexible portions of plastic material which are connected to the belt. The belt and the holding means are provided with at least one opening connectable to a reduced pressure source in such a way that the reduced pressure acts on an object in the respective holding means and fixes it in its position.

Abstract: A conveyor belt construction includes a flexible conveyor belt defining inner and outer surfaces, and a series of clamp assemblies that are used to mount conveying members to the conveyor belt. One of the clamp members defines a convex engaging area that engages one of the surfaces of the conveyor belt, and the other of the clamp members defines a concave engaging area that engages the other surface of the conveyor belt. The clamp members are secured together and the belt is sandwiched between the concave and convex areas of the clamp members. The conveyor belt construction is engaged about a pair of rotatable members. The concave and convex areas of the clamp members take up a length of the conveyor belt, to tighten the conveyor belt onto the rotatable members without the use of a belt tensioner. The conveying members may be in the form of platens mounted to the outer clamp members.

Abstract: A transporting mechanism includes a link chain and clamps which are attached to a chain link of the link chain and which are capable of gripping at least one printed product. At least two clamps are attached to each chain link of the link chain, wherein the clamps in the link chain are spaced apart from one another by equal spacings.

Abstract: A plate conveyor having overlapping plates and a plate-supporting sprocket chain composed of two parallel chain strands formed of inner link members and outer link members, facing ones of which are connected by link pins. The chain is in the form of at least two preassembled portions that are to be interconnected by terminal link segments. A first terminal link segment is comprised of two parallel, outwardly projecting terminal inner link members, with a plate connected to at least one of them. A second terminal link segment is formed by a terminal outer link member, one end of which is connected to a link pin. The terminal outer link member projects outwardly on one side of the second terminal link segment and is connected to a plate. An outer closure link member is disposed across from the terminal outer link member and has an end adapted to be placed on the link pin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a wafer holder and a related wafer conveyor system. The wafer holder holds a wafer and moves horizontally within a chamber. A contact area between the wafer and the wafer holder is reduced, and potential contaminants generated by ear between components of the wafer holder are trapped by an airtight cover. Since the wafer holder moves horizontally while being fixed to a guide rail, the wafer conveyor system reduces friction between the guide rail and the wafer holder.

Abstract: A production line for food products includes a plurality of apparatus modules (1) arranged one after the other, each module being arranged to perform at least one manufacturing stage of the food product. The production line includes a frame (2), which includes driving elements (3) for driving at least one apparatus module (1). At least one movable apparatus module (1) can be adapted to the driving elements (3) in the frame (2) such that the apparatus module (1) can be driven by the driving elements (1) in the frame (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a test tube carrier (4) for transporting test tubes in a transport system, said carrier (4) comprising a base (8) having a recess made thereto for accommodating the bottom of a test tube/vial (1), and support members (9, 10) adapted to the carrier base (8) for clamping a test tube (1) inserted in said recess and supporting the same. The support members (9, 10) are permanently affixed to said carrier base (8) and comprise elongated portions with their free ends bent toward the vertical center axis of the carrier base and said upper ends providing a support surface (22) for making supportive contact to the test tube. The bottom of the carrier base recess for accommodating a test tube is advantageously made flat and the carrier base is provided with test tube support members whose support surfaces (22) extend to at least two different heights from the top level of the carrier base (8).

Abstract: A positioning system utilizes a shot pin to fix the position of a grooved pallet at stations in a production line. The pallet travels along the production line under the influence of advancing feed pins. When the pallet arrives at a station, the head of the shot pin is positively urged toward the groove in the pallet until the head locks the pallet in the desired position. Simultaneously, the feed pin disengages from the pallet. When work is completed at the manufacturing station, the head of the shot pin moves away from and releases the pallet. Simultaneously, the feed pin engages the pallet. The feed pins and the shot pin operate in tandem, by moving in-phase along parallel lines in the same direction to accomplish their individual functions. The feed pins and the shot pin can operate relatively quickly without applying unnecessary torque to the conveyor or the pallet.

Abstract: Conveyor system accessories are disclosed, which provide an inexpensive way to stage, stockpile and/or sort work pieces and provides easy entry to and exit from a main conveyor. In particular, a trolley or trolleys that carry work pieces ride on the conveyor rail above the chain or intermesh with the chain on the inside of the track. These accessories are used with single track continuous conveyor systems, which greatly enhances the productivity of the single track system by permitting work pieces to be taken off-line without taking the work piece off a load pendant.

Abstract: An interbay transfer interface between an automated material handling system and a stocker which includes a conveyor belt positioned juxtaposed to the stocker, a plurality of open-top containers positioned on the conveyor belt, at least two locating pins situated on the conveyor belt for engaging the containers, a wave emitting/receiving device positioned immediately adjacent to the conveyor belt, and a controller for receiving signals from the wave emitting/receiving device and sensors mounted on the locating pins.

Abstract: A conveying system comprising a drive chain and at least one conveying carrier, the conveying system being flexible for the most different goods to be conveyed. The conveying carrier can be brought into detachable engagement with the drive chain, the drive chain comprising chain links arranged in a row and interconnected via a chain joint, a chain joint being formed by a sleeve pertaining to a first chain link and by a bolt passed through the sleeve and pertaining to a second chain link, at least part of the bolts projecting laterally at both sides and a transporting sleeve being arranged on each of the projecting end portions, and the conveying carrier comprising an engaging means which can be brought into detachable engagement at least with both transporting sleeves of a bolt. The invention further relates to a drive chain for such a conveying system.

Abstract: An endless roller chain conveyor supports pallets, which independently travel along the horizontal runs of the conveyor, while the roller chain runs continuously. The pallets are attached in a vertical position and may be stopped and held anywhere along the conveyor using mechanically driven stop assemblies located at required load, unload, holdback, or workstation positions assigned to the particular application. The carriers or pallets are driven on the roller chain by way of a guided sprocket, adjustable clutch, alignment bar, and support roller assemblies. The pallets are guided by “V” grooved wheels or other roller or wheel arrangement securing the pallet to a track assembly fitted to the upper support structure which creates a continuous track which allows pallets to travel in a “carousel” fashion. Vertical-type pallets allow for the transport of long products as well as parts commonly carried on the horizontal style of the conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor system (10) for transporting a vehicle skid (14). The system includes a frame structure (24) extending along a longitudinal axis (26) and a plurality of support rollers (30) carried by the frame section. The support rollers are journaled for rotation about axes (32) transverse to the longitudinal axis and have a peripheral support surface (34) for supporting the vehicle skid. The system further includes drive means (36, 38, 42) for displacing the vehicle skid (14) along the frame structure (24) . To permit rapid acceleration and braking of the vehicle skid, the drive means includes at least one continuous drive belt (36) having a toothed inner surface for engagement with a drive gear (38) and a toothed outer surface for engagement with a projection (40) on the vehicle skid.

Abstract: The Stackable Open Front Grocery and Goods Bin with Air Cushion Mobility and its related conveyer together comprise a goods distribution system designed to deliver products ordered over the internet into special stores called Safety Malls which will lower the cost of everything you buy through the elimination of paper boxes and supermarket and department store janitors and stockmen. Goods ordered over the internet can be automatically be custom loaded into bins at the factory, sorted in a distribution center, and delivered to a store near your home without ever being touched by human hands. Empty bins can be nested, removed from the store, and put through a washing machine to keep the store hygienically clean.

Abstract: An attachment member for attaching to a roller chain tab includes a body member with a cavity defined in a bottom end thereof. This cavity has dimensions corresponding essentially to a tab provided on a roller chain link plate. The cavity is defined by a back wall, sides, and a front wall, and further includes a protuberance that extends from the back wall into the cavity towards the front wall. This protuberance has a shape so as to fit into a hole defined in the tabs provided on the roller chain link plates upon the body member being slid onto the tab.

Abstract: A device for transporting printed products including a plurality of individual pocket grippers, each pocket gripper having a first connector on one side and a second connector on a second side, and having gripping elements for gripping a printed product. A plurality of transport units is also provided, with each transport unit being movable along a track and being releasably attached to the first connector of a respective one of the plurality of pocket grippers. Also disclosed is a method for transporting printed products including the steps of gripping a printed product in a gripper pocket, moving the gripper pocket along a track, and releasing the gripper pocket while the printed product remains gripped.

Abstract: A plane-template conveyor for a thermoforming plant for obtaining a plurality or moulding of thermoformed hollow objects including at least one thermoforming press having at least one male die or mould, at least one female die and at least one picking up and transferring group for sequentially picking up and transferring mouldings of thermoformed objects from a die to a template conveyor, the said conveyor comprising a support frame which delimits an endless path, a plurality of templates movably mounted on the said endless path and each having a number of receiving seats equal to that of the objects of one mould, a plurality of driving means spaced along the said endless path to cause a sequential and discontinuous movement of the said templates at a predetermined speed between one template and the other.

Abstract: An accumulating conveyor system has an improved carrier assembly and delatching dog therefor which allows the carrier assembly to be orientated along a carrier path in any angle relative to the ground. On a three rail conveyor system, a pallet beam is slidingly connected to the two outer rails. A beaver tail carrier is centrally located on and connected to the pallet beam. The center rail carries a moveable chain having delatching dogs attached thereon at predetermined locations. The delatching dogs are releasably connectable to the beaver tail carrier and function to maintain connection with the beaver tail carrier in any angle along the conveyor path relative to the ground by means of a spring mechanism until an encounter with another beaver tail carrier.

Abstract: A device for transporting printed products including a plurality of individual pocket grippers, each pocket gripper having a first connector on one side and a second connector on a second side, and having gripping elements for gripping a printed product. A plurality of transport units is also provided, with each transport unit being movable along a track and being releasably attached to the first connector of a respective one of the plurality of pocket grippers. Also disclosed is a method for transporting printed products including the steps of gripping a printed product in a gripper pocket, moving the gripper pocket along a track, and releasing the gripper pocket while the printed product remains gripped.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus for transporting items via an endless conveyor belt having at least one locking member. At least one interchangeable holder element is adapted to releasably interlock with the locking member provided on the conveyor belt, with the locking member exerting a downward force on the holder element when tension is applied to the belt in use. As a result, the holder element is preloaded against the outer surface of the belt. The preload is at least partially decreased when traveling in an arcuate path about the end pulleys of the conveyor system. Accordingly, the holder elements may easily be removed and replaced without adjusting the tension of the conveyor belt.

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 system for advancing a carrying device. The carrying device is for receiving a plurality of products for processing. The carrying device has a first conveyor, and a second conveyor connected to the first conveyor for taking over a carrying device at a precisely determined distance relative to a preceding carrying device. A portion of the carrying device is made of a magnetizable material. The system has a magnet arranged for engaging the magnetizable material of the carrying device thereby engaging the carrying device onto the second conveyor from the first conveyor.

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 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.

Abstract: A conveyer system for receiving, orienting and conveying pouches is disclosed. The conveyor system includes a plurality of pucks, each puck having a lower extent with a recess extending upwardly from the lower surface thereof and having an upstanding cylindrical wall. An indexing conveyer includes a belt in a closed loop configuration supported by an idler roller at one end and with a drive roller at the other end with a motor to drive the rollers and belt in a step and repeat operation. The exterior surface of the belt is formed with a plurality of plates with a cleat on each plate to receive the recesses of a plurality of pucks thereacross. An infeed conveyer has a spine alignable with the cleat at the input end of the indexing conveyor adapted to receive and orient pucks from the infeed conveyer to the indexing conveyer. The infeed conveyer has an input end and an output end, the output end being located adjacent to the input end of the indexing conveyer.

Abstract: A workpiece moving machine comprising: an elongate frame with an endless belt mounted on the frame and extending between the ends of the frame. A plurality of trolleys are slidably mounted on the frame for movement along the frame. Each trolley has a clamp for selectively holding a workpiece to the trolley. A first clutch on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to one run of the belt to move the trolley along the frame in one direction and a second clutch on each trolley selectively connects the trolley to the other run of the belt to move the trolley along the frame in the opposite direction. A brake on each trolley selectively brakes the trolley to the frame to prevent its movement along the frame.

Abstract: There is provided a carrier puck for movement on a conveying circuit comprising at least one conveyor having lateral guides including at least two vertically spaced and distinct lateral guide plates adapted to slidably engage a distinct portions of said carrier puck to temporarily prevent rotation of said carrier puck while advancing on said conveying circuit. The carrier puck preferably comprises a rounded main body suitable for bulk conveying. Preferably, the carrier puck is manufactured by injection molding of separate parts, later assembled.

Abstract: A dining table top conveyor having a flat base of rectangular/oval shape and flat endless belt guided over two flanged pulleys. One pulley is electrically driven by a variable speed geared motor and other is an idler and belt tensioning pulley. The flat belt has special steel hooks riveted into it, and it engages with a steel bracket on serving bowl holder plates. These plates are made of heat resistant material like cork or heat resistant plastic and move around on top of the table following the belt. On top of these plates are placed the serving bowls containing food items. As the serving bowls/pots go around the table, diners serve themselves as the bowl passes in front of them. Also at each end of the conveyor are two beverage dispensers which can swivel 330 degrees and extend in and out to self serve beverages. Under the table is a beverage container pressurized by a mini-air compressor and a small motor control panel.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive carrier and a driven carrier movably supported by guide rails via guide rollers rotatably mounted thereon. The drive carrier is connected in driven relation to a conveyor chain. A load-support member composed of a flatbed truck has front and rear engagement plugs removably received in a socket of the driven carrier and a socket of the drive carrier, respectively. The flatbed truck is conveyed in the same direction as the movable carrier while the overall weight of the flatbed truck is supported by the drive and driven carriers. At a curved portion of the conveyance path, the driven carrier is caused to move relative to the drive carrier to cancel out a difference between the length of a part of the curved conveyance path portion between the engagement plugs and the distance of a straight-line between the engagement plugs.