Abstract: A suction device and a connector are provided. The suction device has a control electromagnetic core and a suction member. A cavity is provided between the control electromagnetic core and the suction member. The suction member is operative to slide up and down within the cavity in response to changes of a magnetic property of the control electromagnetic core.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for separating a pile of tortillas and individually depositing the tortillas on a conveyor to form a row of tortillas. The apparatus may include an accumulating device, an elevating device that is operable to remove a pile of tortillas from the accumulating device and elevate the pile of tortillas towards a vacuum conveyor. The vacuum conveyor is operable to continuously remove an uppermost tortilla from the pile of tortillas and transport the separated tortillas to a receiving conveyor. The separated tortillas are deposited on the receiving conveyor and may be transported to a subsequent processing operation.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated, beltless conveyor assembly includes a housing, a drive system supported by the housing and at least one transport tray supported by the housing and operatively connected to the drive system. The drive system includes a seal-less pneumatic engine having at least one pair of opposed, pneumatic drive bellow assemblies. One of the drive bellow assemblies acts to drive the transport tray in one direction at a first predetermined speed to advance materials supported on the transport tray in the direction of the length of the tray. The other of the pair of drive bellow assemblies acts to drive the transport tray in a second direction opposite to the first direction and at a second, predetermined speed that is different from the first predetermined speed such that the transport tray moves relative to the material supported thereon.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated, beltless conveyor assembly includes a housing, a drive system supported by the housing and at least one transport tray supported by the housing and operatively connected to the drive system. The drive system includes a seal-less pneumatic engine having at least one pair of opposed, pneumatic drive bellow assemblies. One of the drive bellow assemblies acts to drive the transport tray in one direction at a first predetermined speed to advance materials supported on the transport tray in the direction of the length of the tray. The other of the pair of drive bellow assemblies acts to drive the transport tray in a second direction opposite to the first direction and at a second, predetermined speed that is different from the first predetermined speed such that the transport tray moves relative to the material supported thereon.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling stretchable sheet material, to form a stack of leaves of such material. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention concerns the handling of dough sheets in the manufacture of biscuits or other baked foodstuffs. A first conveyor carries leaves of the material which are transferred to a second conveyor where the leaves are transported in a stacked configuration. Transfer is accomplished by use of an overhead permeable, suction surface movable between the first and second conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyor transfer system is used in a foundry to transfer an article between first and second article-travel-paths. The system includes a first conveyor which has a pair of beams defining the first article-travel-path. One of the beams is movable in a vertical direction to lift an article from the other beam and for placing an article supported by the one beam on the other beam. One of the beams is movable in a horizontal direction to move an article supported thereby along the first article-travel-path. A second conveyor is provided having a pair of beams defining the second article-travel-path. The beams of the second conveyor function similar to the corresponding beams of the first conveyor. A shuttle conveyor is provided for transporting an article between the first and second conveyors. The shuttle conveyor has a first portion in alignment with the first article-travel-path to form a continuation thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for transporting articles from one location to another by use of vacuum to suspend them from the underside of a perforated conveyor belt as it moves along the apertured underside of a vacuum box. Embodiments include a vertically actuable flat plate having a compressible bottom surface positioned within the box, whereby upon actuation of the plate downwards, vacuum acting through the apertures of the underside of the vacuum box may be interrupted and a slight positive pressure introduced into the apertures, to effectuate release of suspended articles.

Abstract: In the conveyor system disclosed herein, a plurality of elongate lifting assemblies are interleaved with parallel moving belts on which articles are transported. Each lifting assembly utilizes an air bag which is supported in an upwardly facing, rigid, U-shaped channel and which, when inflated, lifts a longitudinally-flexible, inverted, U-shaped channel member. The channel members include respective lips which engage and locally limit upward movement of the inverted channel member to a height sufficient for lifting articles on the conveyor out of driving contact with the moving belts. The ends of the inverted channel members are fixed or fastened with the upper surface of that part of the inverted channel below the level of the moving belts. Accordingly, when the air bags are inflated, the moving belts can drive successive articles up on to the resulting ramp surface of the inverted channels without developing crushing pressures between adjacent articles.

Abstract: A conveyor for transporting articles placed in series thereon includes a conveyor track of extruded high density polyethylene having an upwardly opening inverted T-shaped longitudinal slot therein and an endless conveyor chain slidably engaged in the slot with integral chain tabs extending laterally outwardly into lateral slot recesses from selected links of the conveyor chain so as to retain the chain against lateral, vertical or torsional displacement with respect to the slot. The conveyor chain projects above the opening of the slot to support the conveyed articles and bears on an upstanding central rib on the slot bottom and, through its tabs, on the lateral recess bottoms. Convergent notches in corresponding ends of successively end-abutted track members making up the track guide the chain tabs into the slot recesses without interference from track member end faces due to slight misalignment of track members.

Abstract: Walking beam-type conveyor apparatus having a plurality of elongated, spaced stationary members carried by a supporting frame, and a plurality of elongated, spaced longitudinally movable members parallel with and intermediate the stationary members and carried by a longitudinally movable frame. Inflatable fluid bearings support the movable frame on the stationary frame for longitudinal movement of the movable frame and movable members between first and second positions. A selectively actuable valve has a first position in which fluid under a first predetermined pressure is applied to the fluid bearings during movement of the movable frame and movable members in one direction from the first to the second positions thereof, the first pressure being such that the movable members apply sufficient force to the load thereon that the load and movable members are moved in unison in the one direction.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated, beltless conveyor assembly includes a housing, a drive system supported by the housing and at least one transport tray supported by the housing and operatively connected to the drive system. The drive system includes a seal-less pneumatic engine having at least one pair of opposed, pneumatic drive bellow assemblies. One of the drive bellow assemblies acts to drive the transport tray in one direction at a first predetermined speed to advance materials supported on the transport tray in the direction of the length of the tray. The other of the pair of drive bellow assemblies acts to drive the transport tray in a second direction opposite to the first direction and at a second, predetermined speed that is different from the first predetermined speed such that the transport tray moves relative to the material supported thereon.

Abstract: A pneumatically actuated, beltless conveyor assembly includes a housing, a drive system supported by the housing and at least one transport tray supported by the housing and operatively connected to the drive system. The drive system includes a seal-less pneumatic engine having at least one pair of opposed, pneumatic drive bellow assemblies. One of the drive bellow assemblies acts to drive the transport tray in one direction at a first predetermined speed to advance materials supported on the transport tray in the direction of the length of the tray. The other of the pair of drive bellow assemblies acts to drive the transport tray in a second direction opposite to the first direction and at a second, predetermined speed that is different from the first predetermined speed such that the transport tray moves relative to the material supported thereon.