A tensioning mechanism for a conveyor system includes a support structure, a first carriage, a second carriage, and a brake mechanism. The first carriage is positioned proximate a first end of the support structure and is supported for movement relative to the support structure. The first carriage includes first rolls for receiving the belt such that movement of the first carriage modifies a tension in the belt. The second carriage is supported for movement relative to the support structure and includes second rolls and at least one return pulley. The second rolls are configured to support a portion of the belt extending between the first carriage and the second carriage. The brake mechanism is positioned proximate a second end of the support structure and includes a brake pulley and a brake selectively retarding rotation of the brake pulley. The brake pulley supports a portion of the belt extending between the brake mechanism and the return pulley.

A conveying device including a circulatorily led, extensively extended conveying element that forms a conveying section with a conveying surface and a return section, a front head-end region, in which the conveying element is deflected from the conveying section into the return section in the movement direction of the conveying element, and a braking device that exerts a braking effect upon the driven conveying element. The braking device includes a braking surface that, by way of the sliding friction with the conveying element, at least partly exerts the braking effect upon the driven conveying element. The braking device is designed and arranged such that it exerts the braking effect upon the conveying element outside the front head-end region as well as outside the conveying section. The braking surface is designed in an essentially bent manner and is wrapped by a part of the conveying element.

A conveying device including a circulatorily led, extensively extended conveying element that forms a conveying section with a conveying surface and a return section, a front head-end region, in which the conveying element is deflected from the conveying section into the return section in the movement direction of the conveying element, and a braking device that exerts a braking effect upon the driven conveying element. The braking device includes a braking surface that, by way of the sliding friction with the conveying element, at least partly exerts the braking effect upon the driven conveying element. The braking device is designed and arranged such that it exerts the braking effect upon the conveying element outside the front head-end region as well as outside the conveying section. The braking surface is designed in an essentially bent manner and is wrapped by a part of the conveying element.

A conveyor system for transporting sand including a transportation element for moving the sand, and a drive subassembly for moving the transportation element on a predetermined path. The drive subassembly includes a sprocket driven by a motor for moving the transportation element along the predetermined path, and a floating idler wheel supportable by the transportation element and positioned on the predetermined path downstream from the sprocket. The floating idler wheel is movable between an upper location and a lower location, depending on the tension to which the transportation element is subjected. The drive subassembly also includes a limit switch activatable upon the floating idler wheel moving to the lower location. Upon activation, the limit switch transmits a signal to a motor switch to de-energize the motor.

An accumulation device for placement within a stream of articles upstream of an independent article handling device, including an infeed conveyor for receiving articles and an outfeed conveyor for returning articles. A transfer device movable along the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor is included. Each of an infeed drive and an outfeed drive drives the conveyors. A speed of the outfeed drive controlled at least in part by the independent article handling device; an infeed sensor for detecting an article flow rate upstream of the infeed conveyor and generating an infeed signal based on the article flow rate. A controller is included for controlling a speed of the infeed drive based at least in part on the infeed signal.

An accumulation device for placement within a stream of articles upstream of an independent article handling device, including an infeed conveyor for receiving articles and an outfeed conveyor for returning articles. A transfer device movable along the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor is included. Each of an infeed drive and an outfeed drive drives the conveyors. A speed of the outfeed drive controlled at least in part by the independent article handling device; an infeed sensor for detecting an article flow rate upstream of the infeed conveyor and generating an infeed signal based on the article flow rate. A controller is included for controlling a speed of the infeed drive based at least in part on the infeed signal.

An optimization bench for glass plates is configured to move the plates in a longitudinal direction of the bench in order to arrange the plates in positions suitable to achieve optimal occupation of the available area on the bench. The bench includes a plurality of belt conveyors parallel to each other, selectively driven by motor means through a plurality of electrically operated clutches which are respectively associated with the belt conveyors. An electronic controller is configured to convey each plate by activating only the belt conveyors on which the plate rests, until all plates are arranged in an optimized manner on the bench area.

An optimization bench for glass plates is configured to move the plates in a longitudinal direction of the bench in order to arrange the plates in positions suitable to achieve optimal occupation of the available area on the bench. The bench includes a plurality of belt conveyors parallel to each other, selectively driven by motor means through a plurality of electrically operated clutches which are respectively associated with the belt conveyors. An electronic controller is configured to convey each plate by activating only the belt conveyors on which the plate rests, until all plates are arranged in an optimized manner on the bench area.