Abstract: Apparatus for longitudinally driving an elongate body (1) such as a rod or tube, comprises two opposed wheels (2) adapted to clamp the body (1) between them. The wheels (2) have an axis of rotation (3) lying substantially in a transverse plane of the elongate body (1). A drive (1) drives at least one of the wheels, wherein the wheels are adapted to transform the rotating movement of the wheels into a translating movement of the elongate body by means of friction. According to the invention the wheels (2) include a plurality of successive movably mounted intermediate pieces (12) circulating with the wheels and being supported by the wheels during the engagement with the body (1), the intermediate pieces (12) successively enabling the wheels (2) to engage the elongate body (1) a distance in longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling large diameter horizontally extruded plastic tubing includes a number of driven endless belts positioned around the path of travel of the extrusion to transport the extrusion while it cools. The belts are individually driven either by hydraulic or electric motors, the speed of travel of each belt is continuously monitored and a feedback system including a microprocessor controls the driving motors so as to maintain the speed of travel of the extrusion at an adjustable controlled value. The belt positions are hydraulically controlled to accommodate tubing of a range of sizes and the level of the hydraulic fluid in its reservoir, its pressure and its temperature are also monitored by the microprocessor. In the event of component fault or failure, the microprocessor returns the affected belt or belts to manual control so that the product line need not be shut down.

Abstract: A photographic film processor for conveying exposed film along a serpentine film path through a series of processing racks in a respective series of processing tanks, each processing rack including a sprocket-driven endless timing belt mounted for rotation on the rack and having outer teeth for engagement with an apertured film leader card to move the film leader card along a part of the path of the timing belt, the outer teeth being laterally expandable for positive engagement with the leader card, and contractible for disengagement from it. Alternatively, the outer teeth are laterally contractible for positive engagement with the leader card, and expandible for disengagement from it.In another embodiment, the endless timing belt has spaced flexible edge tabs to pass through the apertures of a leader card to engage the card.

Abstract: A tentering chain is guided between two guide rails extending in parallel to each other. One guide rail (19a) is an outer guide rail with regard to a course followed by the chain, while the other guide rail (19b) is an inner guide rail. The chain links are hinged to each other by a journal pin which carries a first guide roller on an inner pin section between chain link plates, and a second guide roller on a cranked outer pin section. Thus, the rotational axes of these two guide rollers extend in parallel to each other and spaced from each other, so that one guide roller can only contact one guide rail, but not the other and vice versa. This feature prevents the reversal of the rotation direction of the guide rollers as they travel along the parallel guide rails.

Abstract: The manipulator comprises a closed-ring conveyor device, which comprises a succession of grasping organs having a fixed part and a movable part. The part of the conveyor device comprises at least one rectilinear section along which suitable assemblies act on the movable parts of grasping organs to allow the closing of same on the sheet to be manipulated.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus employ (i) a thermoforming station 6 through which a support film web 4 is advanced by means of an endless chain carrying clamps 16, followed by (ii) a loading station in which product articles are inserted into the trays formed by the thermoforming station, and (iii) a film-combining station II at which a covering film 3 is stretched longitudinally and then applied in its stretched configuration to the support web 4 (with or without the above-mentioned thermoformed trays) and is clamped thereto for subsequent vacuum skin packaging of the product articles between the support web 4 and the upper film 3. The resulting vacuum skin packs from such a process and apparatus are wrinkle free whereas the conventional vacuum skin packs exhibit longitudinal wrinkling in the covering film.

Abstract: A clamping arrangement is disclosed for gripping and carrying web material about a die turret of a packaging machine for molding the web and for carrying the web through and off the packing machine as product is loaded and the package is sealed. The clamping arrangement includes a pair of aligned drive chains and a plurality of facing clamps mounted on each chain. Each clamp includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw pivotally mounted to the lower jaw and actuable between an opened and a closed position. A spring is connected between the upper and lower jaws which biases the upper jaw to the closed position. The lower and upper jaws each define complemental gripping teeth along an edge thereof, the respective teeth being disposed intermediate and adjacent one another when the upper jaw is in the closed position. The teeth of the lower jaw are horizontally aligned with the pitch line of the drive chain when assembled to the chain.

Abstract: To move a plurality of interconnected segments which a zig-zag, accordeon or bellows pleat arrangement on or between which sheet elements such as projecting elements from a folded sheet are located along a transport path and to permit, selectively, expansion or compression of the segments for handling of sheet elements, and compact storage, an endless belt, preferably a gear belt sprocket chain or the like, is provided engageable with the segments. Preferably, lifting rollers are provided, selectively engageable with the belt to slightly raise the segments from transport rails, and decrease friction of the segments with respect to the rails. The segments can be stored, when empty or loaded, when collapsed against each other, and spread apart for sheet material handling. A plurality of such system can be located or adjacent each other, so that, when the segments are spread apart, suitable mixing or insertion steps can be carried out.

Abstract: A feeding means for feeding a material web in a packaging machine comprises feeding chains, sprocket wheels and an engagement element for feeding the feeding chains. In order to facilitate the insertion and clamping of the material web the engagement member is designed such that in a first portion of the travelling section the movable clamping member is lifted from the fixed clamping member in a substantially vertical direction and in a second portion of the travelling section following the first portion the movable clamping member is additionally moved laterally away from the edge of the material web to be gripped.

Abstract: Apparatus for separably connecting the leader of a web of photosensitive material to a running band which serves to pull the web through a processor employs a clip one portion of which is separably connected to the web and another portion of which is provided with a channel into which the band can enter only in response to a reduction of its effective width due to its innate elasticity and entrains the clip and the web through the processor. The mechanism for connecting the other portion of the clip to the band has a matrix at one side of the path of movement of the band opposite the open side of the channel in the other portion of the clip, and a deforming member which can be moved by a motor to cooperate with the matrix in deforming the band so that the effective width of the band is temporarily reduced to allow for introduction into the channel of the other portion of the clip.

Abstract: A yarn conveying apparatus is disclosed, and which comprises a pair of circular discs, each having a yarn engaging front surface. The discs are mounted for rotation about respective axes which are inclined with respect to each other, and such that portions of the respective yarn engaging front surfaces are disposed in a closely adjacent opposing face-to-face relationship and define a yarn advancing zone therebetween. The discs are resiliently biased toward each other at the yarn advancing zone, and so that the discs are adapted to engage and advance a yarn which is guided through the advancing zone, without substantial slippage.

Abstract: A rotary drilling apparatus is disclosed, in which the pipe string is both lifted and lowered, as well as rotated, by an opposed pair of endless chains, eliminating the need for a high drilling tower structure. An advantageous form of gripping mechanism, attached to the chain links, enables the pipe string to be gripped with extremely heavy force, with the gripping means automatically confirming to pipe diameters of a variety of sizes and also conforming to the pipe coupling elements, as well as to the pipe areas inbetween, so that manipulation of the pipe string can be continuous. The gripping assembly includes a plurality of articulated gripping elements supported at each end by pivoted support arms. This assembly is urged against the pipe string by high pressure, hydraulic pistons.

Abstract: A threading belt (A) extends around a plurality of pulleys and guide rollers (B). A loading station (C) is disposed along a linear run of the threading belt for inserting a web between hingedly connected gripping portions (16, 18) of the threading belt. The loading station includes a wedge-shaped belt spreading member (52) for urging the gripping portions of the belt apart and providing a groove (60) through which the web is fed between the gripping portions. The threading belt conveys the web through a floating dryer (D) to an unloading station (E). The unloading station includes an ejector member (90) which spreads the belt and a nozzle (96) for directing a jet of air between the belt gripping portions to eject the web therefrom. The belt includes a main woven fabric strength member (24) extending along the hinged connection of the gripping portions. A fabric cover (20) surrounds the gripping and hinge portions and is impregnated with a silicon rubber (22).

Abstract: Continuous extrusion apparatus for continuously deforming an elongated workpiece of indefinite length (e.g. rod) to produce an elongated product of indefinite length (e.g. wire) is disclosed wherein the improvement includes combination of structure for maintaining the elongated workpiece, the moving centrally apertured chamber through which it moves to be deformed by the deforming agency in coaxial alignment with the apparatus centerline during deformation and for maintaining the moving centrally apertured chamber in predetermined geometric shape (e.g. round).

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming elongate structures of composite materials. The apparatus includes a plurality of forming dies for preheating, heating and then cooling an elongate portion of composite material while shaping the material within an internal passage. A pulling device is utilized to continuously draw elongate strips of composite material through the forming dies. The pulling device includes two opposed endless track devices. One of the endless track devices serves to mount a plurality of engagement dogs, each having a substantially flat surface for engagement of the elongate portion of composite material. The other endless track device serves to mount a plurality of pivoting engagement dogs, each having a curvilinear surface wherein increased resistance by said elongate strip of composite material will pivot the curved surface into closer alignment with a corresponding flat surface, thereby tightening the grip of the pulling device on the elongate strip of composite material.

Abstract: A feeding means for feeding a material web in a packaging machine comprises feeding chains, sprocket wheels and an engagement element for feeding the feeding chains. In order to facilitate the insertion and clamping of the material web the engagement member is designed such that in a first portion of the travelling section the movable clamping member is lifted from the fixed clamping member in a substantially vertical direction and in a second portion of the travelling section following the first portion the movable clamping member is additionally moved laterally away from the edge of the material web to be gripped.

Abstract: To pull apart interfolded, imbricated paper copy products (4, 5), two pairs (1, 2) of upper and lower transport systems, typically sprocket chains, each have engagement projection elements (10-13), preferably roller elements, extending therefrom, and gripping laterally projecting edges of the respective imbricated in-folded copy products. The paths of the upper and lower transport systems (6-7, 8-9) converge towards each other to grip the copy products and, after having gripped the copy products, the pairs diverge laterally from each other to pull out and pull apart the copy products (4', 5') gripped by the respective pairs of the transport systems, the upper and lower transport systems then diverging to release the copy products to further removal transport arrangements, for example transport belts (17, 18).

Abstract: A gripper device which is a part of a slide-fastener finishing apparatus and which is used to grip and take out completed fasteners successively by grippers reciprocally moved along the fastener flow direction.The improvement comprises placing a driven belt-like member in an endless fashion over two rotation wheels, the wheels being positioned on an extended line of fastener flow at predetermined intervals, mounting two gripper-equipped members on the belt-like member at equal intervals, each gripper equipped member including a gripper which is movably mounted so as to be able to align with the center of the completed fastener outlet port, moving each gripper-equipped member to the completed fastener outlet port by rotating the rotation wheels in forward and reverse directions, and then gripping and taking out the completed fasteners with each gripper.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a strip of photographic paper to a flat conveyor belt includes an elongated member having at a first end thereof a hook for fitting over one edge of the flat conveyor belt. The elongated member has a supporting portion spaced from the hook and adapted to have attached thereto a strip of photographic material. A slide member is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement along a portion of the length of the elongated member between the hook and the supporting portion thereof. The slide member has projecting therefrom an integral inclined tab for engaging the other edge of the flat conveyor belt. A toggle and spring structure constantly urge the slide member toward the hook, thereby ensuring that opposite edges of the conveyor belt continuously are clamped between the hook and the tab.

Abstract: A conveying device directs printed products past a stationarily arranged ink jet printer. A control system initiates a printing operation by the printer each time a printed product passes through the effective printing zone or region of the printer. The conveying device comprises an individual conveyor equipped with gripper units arranged in spaced relationship from each other, each of which is structured to take-up or engage one printed product. The control system includes a pulse generator driven by the individual conveyor and transmits a control pulse for each one of the gripper units. The control pulse is suppressed by a monitor responsive to empty gripper units. Since the printed products are conveyed by the gripper units, their reference position relative to the conveying device is defined over the entire product conveying path. The control signal initiating the printing operation thus can be utilized for initiating other operations after passing through a delay element.

Abstract: In order to wrap dishes filled with fruit, meat or vegetables with a thin stretchable foil, a group of grippers carried on spaced endless chains are arranged to clamp the foil edges. The grippers are held in their foil gripping position each by a presser plate. The grippers transport the foil and hold it while the goods are raised thereagainst, stretching the foil. A cutter cuts off a foil section. It is situated in such a position that the severing operation is carried out at a position while the two foil edges are held fast by the grippers, thus facilitating the drawing forward of a foil, unwound from a supply roll.

Abstract: A machine for transporting a web particularly a web of flexible material of indefinite length. The device comprises a pair of rotary clamping groups, each clamping group having the form of an endless carrier of clamps. Each rotary clamping group is pivotally adjustably attached to a frame support structure at its lower portion, to thereby admit of rotary adjustment about its lower axis of return. Further, the two clamping groups are horizontally and vertically adjustable. The clamps of each clamping group are cam operated so that clamping takes place over a portion of the run of each, the clamps being carried by and pivotally attached to endless chains, there being two endless chains for each rotary clamping group.

Abstract: The packaging machine for producing packages from a packaging material web has a feeding chain for feeding the web. The endless feeding chain is mounted on spaced sprocket wheels and has chain links provided with improved clamping members for clamping the web at one of its lateral edges. The clamping members include on each chain link a first clamping member secured on or integral with the associated chain link, a cooperating second clamping member having a guiding shaft guided in a guiding opening of the first clamping member, a flanged sleeve surrounding the guiding shaft with its flange portion adjacent the first clamping member and a pressure spring engaging between the flange portion and an abutment member mounted on one end of the guiding shaft opposed to the second clamping member.

Abstract: A split-type injector for flexible drill tubing includes a pressure cylinder connected to linkage which maintains an adjustable pressure of the injection dies upon the tubing passing therethrough. The individual dies on the endless chain are constructed to grip components and tubing of different diameters which passes therethrough and also by means of a relief valve in the pressure system, to widen and close up as different diameter components or tubing pass therethrough. For example if a component such as a coupling is encountered, the halves of the injector move apart to allow it to pass yet at the same time maintain a similar contact upon the coupling and also to maintain similar pressure upon the coupling. When the component has passed, the halves close up and maintain the same pressure and substantial contact area upon the tubing as before.

Abstract: A plastic film carrier for a vacuum packaging machine comprising a continuous stainless steel band with clips thereon for securing the edges of the web of plastic film onto the face of the band, the band having openings therein receiving sprocket teeth to lift the clips out of clamping relation with the film.

Abstract: A connector device attaches the leading end of a photographic print paper web to a leader belt of a photographic print processor and leads the print paper through the processor. The device includes a belt clip, a leader bar, a pull bar and a flexible connective flap member. When the belt clip is initially attached by an operator to the leader belt, the leader bar (which is rigidly attached to the belt clip) is in a first position which is generally perpendicular to the leader belt. The flexible connective flap member connects the leader bar and the pull bar in a fixed nonparallel relationship. A leading end of the print paper web is attached to the pull bar. When the leader belt is placed in motion, tension is transmitted from the leader belt through the connector device to the print paper web. The tension causes the leader bar to move from the first position to a second position with respect to the leader belt which results in the pull bar moving to a perpendicular position with respect to the leader belt.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting strip-shaped material, particularly photographic paper, includes a one-piece elongated holding element which extends along a triple-turn hairpin course to form four holding sections which are substantially parallel to one another and define with each other three spaces for strip-shaped material. Two brackets which are welded to the end portions of the two outer sections of the holding element and are bent at right angle to the remainder of the respective outer sections support the holding element on a conveyor belt for travel therewith. The four sections of the holding element resiliently contact one another to clamp the strip-shaped material therebetween when such strip-shaped material is received between neighboring sections.

Abstract: The herein described conveyor mechanism for conveying flexible pouches adapted to contain fluids, granular substances and the like, consisting of a conveyor mechanism for individually engaging, supporting and holding flexible pouches in an approximately fixed position on a conveyor belt which is formed of a series of independent fingers which are laterally and individually secured to a sprocket-driven endless roller bearing link-chain and located adjacent to one another and having their upper and lower portions shaped to automatically engage, support and hold the sides and bottom of the flexible pouches, while being transported, at approximately any angle from zero to 90.degree., between given points, and when reaching the top of the climb, the pouches are automatically released in succession by the fingers, thereby causing them to drop in an approximately straight downward direction for bagging or other disposal of the pouches.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous liquid-solid separation has suction boxes which respectively have a suction hole on a rear surface and a perforated surface at a front surface and said suction boxes being connected in series to form a conveyor and said suction holes being connected to a suction trough so as to give the sucking condition of the suction boxes in the zone of the suction trough wherein a filter cloth is contacted with the perforated surfaces of the suction boxes and is held by side plates which can be closed and opened at both sides of the suction boxes and the filter cloth and the suction boxes are moved at the synchronized velocity under suction.

Abstract: A special drive link permits drilling of holes of different diameters with the same drill drive. The drill shaft has a helical pattern of scroll-like projections for removal of cuttings. The drill drive mechanism includes sprockets carrying two chains of drive links which mate with the helical scroll projections to move the drill shaft axially, and projections on the drive links mate together at the center to hold the drive links tightly around the drill shaft. The drill shaft is formed with an elongated axial groove separating the helical projections and defining notch surfaces which mate with projections or tangs extending inwardly from the hollow portion of the drive links where they surround the drill shaft. Rotation of the mechanism results in transferring the rotating force through the sides of the inwardly extending projection of the drive links to the corresponding notch surfaces of the scroll projections.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transporting an elongate piece of material along a predetermined path. The apparatus includes a flexible endless driven belt, for example of a plastic material, which is guided, for example by rollers along the predetermined path. Spaced clips are secured to the belt for engaging the edge region of the piece of material. The material is engaged by some of the clips at a feed station, carried along the path, and then disengaged from the clips.In a particularly advantageous application of the invention the piece of material is a length of photographic material, and the predetermined path runs through a photographic processing installation.

Abstract: A new type of gripping shoe for traction devices of the caterpillar type, comprising a deformable element of composite structure. The deformable element comprises a body member which is mechanically resistant, deformable and of low elasticity. This body member is provided with a large internal recess housing a sole member of a highly deformable, elastic and substantially incompressible material.

Abstract: An improved tape wheel for shuttleless looms having flexible guide members carried thereon for retaining a flexible tape in close proximity with the outer periphery of the tape wheel and for releasing the same therefrom during the tape's function of inserting and withdrawing a weft carrier from a shed of warp threads.

Abstract: The apparatus has a transporting arrangement which is movable in a predetermined direction and workpiece gripping devices which grip a workpiece to be withdrawn in this direction from a machine tool. The gripping devices are movable with the transporting arrangement in the aforementioned direction and are also movable relative to the transporting arrangement in and opposite to this direction. A control device controls the relative movement between the gripping device and the transporting device.

Abstract: Four trains of gripping element quadrants are advanced continuously around four endless paths, meeting along one length of travel common to the four paths and cooperating to form a succession of centrally apertured gripping elements moving continuously toward an extrusion die located along the common length of travel. The gripping element quadrants are driven by pinion gears, each of which engages simultaneously sets of teeth on gripping element quadrants in two adjacent trains in order to key the quadrants together and thereby prevent one quadrant from lagging another during their advance toward the die. Four guide elements extend along the paths of the gripping elements and engage simultaneously portions of the two adjacent gripping element quadrants to guide the engaged quadrants during their advance toward the die. Four endless belts are advanced with the gripping elements toward the die and serve to transmit pressure from four stationary pressure pads to the moving gripping elements.

Abstract: Tractive apparatus for longitudinally moving elongated material providing opposed tractive assemblies for gripping material therebetween by opposed and balanced gripping forces. Each tractive assembly provides a plurality of tractive members in end-to-end relation confined to circulation in a closed path and the apparatus is characterized by the provision of means for holding the tractive members in abutting relationship at least during the time they grip the material.The apparatus is further characterized by the reduction of frictional forces on the tractive members by forcing the latter against the elongated material by sets of rolling bodies, each set of which circulates in a closed path within a respective tractive member path. Each tractive member has a material gripping face and each face is maintained in assembled relation with its tractive member by magnetic attraction to provide for ready removal and replacement of such faces.

Abstract: A continuous belt system engaging and holding for parallel motion multiple layers of fabric. A pair of belts holds the layers along their edges in stacked spaced relationship while the layers pass through tufting and foaming stations in the manufacture of three-dimensional reinforced insulation.