A drive device configured to drive a container transporting device for transporting a container is provided. The drive device includes a motor which generates power, a brake configured to brake a movement generated by the power of the motor, and a speed reducer which has an output shaft connected to a driven portion of the container transporting device, includes a lubricant enclosed therein, and is configured to decelerate the power of the motor and transmit the decelerated power to the output shaft, in which the speed reducer, the brake, and the motor are disposed in this order from above in a vertical direction, a first seal member configured to block the lubricant is provided between the speed reducer and the brake, and the brake includes an accommodation chamber which accommodates a leaked lubricant in a case where the lubricant enclosed in the speed reducer leaks past the first seal member.

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for monitoring and removing contaminants from a conveyor surface based upon predicted frictional engagement qualities detected on a conveyor surface. In some examples, the methods may include monitoring the conveyor surface with at least one sensor configured to sense a condition on the conveyor surface. The sensor may detect the presence of a contaminant, and communicate the location of the detected contaminant to a processor. A treatment cycle may then be initiated to remove or displace the contaminant from the conveyor surface after the presence of a contaminant has been detected.

Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for monitoring and removing contaminants from a conveyor surface based upon predicted frictional engagement qualities detected on a conveyor surface. In some examples, the methods may include monitoring the conveyor surface with at least one sensor configured to sense a condition on the conveyor surface. The sensor may detect the presence of a contaminant, and communicate the location of the detected contaminant to a processor. A treatment cycle may then be initiated to remove or displace the contaminant from the conveyor surface after the presence of a contaminant has been detected.

A device for maintaining a pneumatic conveyance line can include a body having one or more wings. In some examples, the body is configured to be positioned between opposing rails of a pneumatic conveyance track with the one or more wings positioned on a respective opposing rail of the track. The wings can carry one or more agents for at least one of cleaning and lubricating the track. As the device is pushed along the track, the device can clean and/or lubricate the track.

A device for maintaining a pneumatic conveyance line can include a body having one or more wings. In some examples, the body is configured to be positioned between opposing rails of a pneumatic conveyance track with the one or more wings positioned on a respective opposing rail of the track. The wings can carry one or more agents for at least one of cleaning and lubricating the track. As the device is pushed along the track, the device can clean and/or lubricate the track.

A belt transport device includes an endless belt, multiple stretchers that stretch the belt, a corrector that displaces one of the multiple stretchers to correct a shift of the belt toward an edge portion of the belt in an axial direction of the belt, and a lubricant applicator that applies a lubricant to an inner surface of the belt at the edge portion of the belt in the axial direction when the belt has shifted toward the edge portion in the axial direction.

A belt transport device includes an endless belt, multiple stretchers that stretch the belt, a corrector that displaces one of the multiple stretchers to correct a shift of the belt toward an edge portion of the belt in an axial direction of the belt, and a lubricant applicator that applies a lubricant to an inner surface of the belt at the edge portion of the belt in the axial direction when the belt has shifted toward the edge portion in the axial direction.

A method for estimating the extent of a friction interaction between a transport surface of an article conveyor and articles transported on the transport surface by providing a representative test article, associating an acceleration sensor with the test article so that the acceleration sensor is capable of measuring acceleration along a direction lying in a plane parallel to a support plane of the test article, placing the test article on the transport surface and having it transported by the article conveyor, so that the acceleration sensor measures at least an acceleration experienced by the test article along a direction lying in a plane parallel to the transport surface on which the test article rests, acquiring measurements of the acceleration along the direction, and estimating the extent of the friction interaction between the transport surface and the test article on the basis of the acquired measurements of the acceleration.

A laser processing machine includes a guide member with which a laser head is engaged so as to be movable to one side in a conveying direction, a moving device configured to move the laser head along the guide member, a counterweight which is movably engaged to the other side of the guide member in the conveying direction and moves along the guide member in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the laser head in conjunction with the laser head moved by the moving device, and a control device which controls the moving device to move the counterweight to a position facing the grease feeding device and to perform grease feeding to an engaged portion between the counterweight and the guide member.

A laser processing machine includes a guide member with which a laser head is engaged so as to be movable to one side in a conveying direction, a moving device configured to move the laser head along the guide member, a counterweight which is movably engaged to the other side of the guide member in the conveying direction and moves along the guide member in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the laser head in conjunction with the laser head moved by the moving device, and a control device which controls the moving device to move the counterweight to a position facing the grease feeding device and to perform grease feeding to an engaged portion between the counterweight and the guide member.