A transfer tail assembly for use with a conveyor assembly that adjust the tension in the conveyor belt. The transfer tail assembly includes a pair of adjustment brackets that are each movable along a conveyor axis and support an end roller. The movement of the adjustment brackets and the end roller adjust the tension in the conveyor belt. A spiral cam is positioned such that rotation of the spiral cam causes movement of the end roller along the conveyor axis. A drive pin of the adjustment bracket moves along a spiral cam contact surface. The end roller is pivotable relative to the conveyor frame to release tension on the conveyor belt. The final position of the end roller can be adjusted using a pivot limiting bar.

A transfer tail assembly for use with a conveyor assembly that adjust the tension in the conveyor belt. The transfer tail assembly includes a pair of adjustment brackets that are each movable along a conveyor axis and support an end roller. The movement of the adjustment brackets and the end roller adjust the tension in the conveyor belt. A spiral cam is positioned such that rotation of the spiral cam causes movement of the end roller along the conveyor axis. A drive pin of the adjustment bracket moves along a spiral cam contact surface. The end roller is pivotable relative to the conveyor frame to release tension on the conveyor belt. The final position of the end roller can be adjusted using a pivot limiting bar.

An apparatus 10 for removing the skin of poultry pieces includes a frame 12 for supporting an infeed conveyor 14 for transporting and feeding poultry pieces to be skinned to a skinning station 16 located closely adjacent the downstream end of the conveyor. An outfeed conveyor 18 is also supported by the frame to carry the skinned poultry pieces away from the skinning station 16 for further processing. The infeed and outfeed conveyors are carried by a lift mounting systems 40 and 42 to mount the conveyors to the underlying frame 12. The lift mounting systems 40/42 function to shift the infeed and outfeed conveyors between an in-use lowered position closely adjacent the skinning station 16 and a retracted position raised above and shifted longitudinally away from the skinning station to provide access to the conveyors 14/18, as well as access to the skinning station 16.

An apparatus 10 for removing the skin of poultry pieces includes a frame 12 for supporting an infeed conveyor 14 for transporting and feeding poultry pieces to be skinned to a skinning station 16 located closely adjacent the downstream end of the conveyor. An outfeed conveyor 18 is also supported by the frame to carry the skinned poultry pieces away from the skinning station 16 for further processing. The infeed and outfeed conveyors are carried by a lift mounting systems 40 and 42 to mount the conveyors to the underlying frame 12. The lift mounting systems 40/42 function to shift the infeed and outfeed conveyors between an in-use lowered position closely adjacent the skinning station 16 and a retracted position raised above and shifted longitudinally away from the skinning station to provide access to the conveyors 14/18, as well as access to the skinning station 16.

A tensioning device for a chain driven jaw system in a package filling machine is disclosed. The chain driven jaw system has a fixed cam and a chain as a follower. The tensioning device comprises a chain tensioning element shaped and angled so to receive the chain on an outer surface thereof configured to be directed away from a center of the chain driven jaw system, wherein the chain tensioning element comprises a pivot connection, and wherein the chain tensioning element is configured to be integrated with the fixed cam at the pivot connection such that the chain tensioning element abuts the fixed cam at the pivot connection and can move to tension the chain. A chain driven jaw system and a related method is also disclosed.

A towable conveyor for transporting and elevating articles and a method and system for towing a conveyor and conveying articles up inclines is provided. The conveyor system has an elevating carriage and a plurality of support elements for conveying articles up the conveyor. Specifically, the towable conveyor system comprises a conveyor having a support frame, a plurality of support elements, a drive end with a motor, and an idle end; an elevating carriage having a first end interconnected to the support frame of the conveyor, a second with two or more wheels, and a support member extending upwardly from the elevating carriage; a cable system for raising the conveyor into a position of use and for lowering the conveyor into a towing position; one or more locking mechanisms; and a hitch for connecting the conveyor to a rear end of a towing vehicle.

The invention relates to a set-down belt for a palletizing apparatus, comprising a circulating conveyor belt that defines a conveying face for conveying goods, a first deflection roller that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a tensioning roller that is rotatable about a tensioning axis and is movable in a tensioning direction (S). Here, a second deflection roller that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation is provided, wherein the second axis of rotation extends parallel to the first axis of rotation. The tensioning roller is movable such that the tensioning axis extends in an inclined manner with respect to the first axis of rotation and in an inclined manner with respect to the second axis of rotation. The invention also relates to a palletizing apparatus that comprises at least one set-down belt according to the invention.

The invention relates to a set-down belt for a palletizing apparatus, comprising a circulating conveyor belt that defines a conveying face for conveying goods, a first deflection roller that is rotatable about a first axis of rotation, and a tensioning roller that is rotatable about a tensioning axis and is movable in a tensioning direction (S). Here, a second deflection roller that is rotatable about a second axis of rotation is provided, wherein the second axis of rotation extends parallel to the first axis of rotation. The tensioning roller is movable such that the tensioning axis extends in an inclined manner with respect to the first axis of rotation and in an inclined manner with respect to the second axis of rotation. The invention also relates to a palletizing apparatus that comprises at least one set-down belt according to the invention.

An actuator for transmitting an input force in a first direction from an input mechanism to a force in a second direction at an output mechanism. The actuator may be incorporated into a tensioner for tensioning a belt. The device includes a plurality of aligned spherical elements in a curved raceway. The input mechanism transmits force to a first of the series of spherical elements. The spherical elements are substantially incompressible so that the series of spherical elements transmits the force along the curved raceway from the input mechanism to the output mechanism.

An actuator for transmitting an input force in a first direction from an input mechanism to a force in a second direction at an output mechanism. The actuator may be incorporated into a tensioner for tensioning a belt. The device includes a plurality of aligned spherical elements in a curved raceway. The input mechanism transmits force to a first of the series of spherical elements. The spherical elements are substantially incompressible so that the series of spherical elements transmits the force along the curved raceway from the input mechanism to the output mechanism.