A feeder apparatus for conveying articles, comprises a first, gap-closing conveyor, and a second, lugged conveyor positioned downstream of said first, gap-closing conveyor. The gap-closing conveyor accepts randomly or irregularly spaced articles from an upstream conveyor or other feeder. The gap-closing conveyor is operated at a speed which is sufficient to always provide a gap between articles received on the gap-closing conveyor from an upstream conveyor or associated feeder. The second, lugged conveyor is operated at a speed which is the same as the downstream wrapper or other packaging device to which the regularly spaced articles are being supplied. The apparatus includes upper and lower moving junction carriages which respectively join opposite ends of said first, gap closing conveyor and said second, lugged conveyor. In operation, the upper and lower junctions are movable such that irregularly spaced articles on the gap-closing conveyor can be positioned in regularly spaced relationship on the lugged conveyor between adjacent ones of the upstanding lugs. The articles or group of multiple articles can then be delivered in the desired regularly spaced relationship to an associated packaging apparatus or other handling device.

Belts having a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, a cross-linked elastomeric body, and a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body. The continuous tooth section includes a plurality of tooth structures, each having tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land, and the easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land. In some aspects, the easement area has a low pressure-angle of contact with a sprocket, when engaging a sprocket. In some aspects, the belt is an endless belt, while in some other aspects, the belt is a spliced belt having a splice.

Belts having a cover layer and opposing continuous tooth section defining an outer surface, a cross-linked elastomeric body, and a tensile reinforcement section disposed between the cover layer and the cross-linked elastomeric body. The continuous tooth section includes a plurality of tooth structures, each having tooth flank, a land, and an easement area between the tooth flank and the land, and the easement area has a progressively decreasing radial thickness from the tooth flank to the land. In some aspects, the easement area has a low pressure-angle of contact with a sprocket, when engaging a sprocket. In some aspects, the belt is an endless belt, while in some other aspects, the belt is a spliced belt having a splice.

A media transport system, includes a transport path, a drive gear at one end of the transport path, a driven gear at an opposite end of the transport path, an endless loop transmission element engaged with the drive gear and the driven gear, a media clamp secured to the endless loop transmission element, and a one-way clutch coupled with the driven gear. The endless loop transmission element is to rotate in one direction to move the media clamp and transport media from the one end of the transport path toward the opposite end of the transport path, and the one-way clutch is to allow rotation of the driven gear in the one direction and resist rotation of the driven gear in an opposite direction.

A telescopic conveyor includes a conveyor boom having two or more conveyor sections adapted to be extended and retracted with respect to one another in telescopic fashion to adjust the length of the boom, wherein the two or more conveyor sections are each curved about a common axis of curvature.

A media transport system, includes a transport path, a drive gear at one end of the transport path, a driven gear at an opposite end of the transport path, an endless loop transmission element engaged with the drive gear and the driven gear, a media clamp secured to the endless loop transmission element, and a one-way clutch coupled with the driven gear. The endless loop transmission element is to rotate in one direction to move the media clamp and transport media from the one end of the transport path toward the opposite end of the transport path, and the one-way clutch is to allow rotation of the driven gear in the one direction and resist rotation of the driven gear in an opposite direction.

A mesh-like conveyor belt is capable of varying in width and shape as it travels. The conveyor belt comprises a plurality of links, joints, and control elements. The joints connect the links to each other and allow the links to change their orientation within the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The plurality of links and joints allow the conveyor belt to vary in width, shape, trajectory, and surface speed while in motion. The conveyor belt also includes control elements, built into the structure of the belt that are capable of engaging with external guides. When the conveyor belt is in motion, the control elements engage with and follow the paths determined by external guides thereby controlling the shape of the belt.

A diverter system includes a conveyor belt with a horizontal belt surface, a diverter arm comprising a diverter belt with a vertical diverting belt surface, the diverter arm being operated by an actuator assembly, a sensing device for monitoring a speed of the vertical diverting belt surface, and a control unit operably coupled to the sensing device, wherein the control unit adjusts the speed of the vertical diverting belt surface according to a predefined ratio of speed between the horizontal belt surface and the vertical diverting belt surface.

A transport system for conveying goods in a conveying direction along a conveyor belt plane of a conveyor belt is provided. On a bearing, oriented along the conveyor belt plane, for bearing the goods and, on a guiding side of the conveyor belt, at least one guide surface, oriented along the conveyor belt plane, for guiding the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt includes a plurality of notches in the guide surface. The notches include a plurality of guide notches to engage at least one guide ridge for guiding the conveyor belt along the conveying direction, wherein a longitudinal axis of each of the guide notches is oriented along the conveying direction, and a number of drive notches for engaging at least one drive ridge for driving the conveyor belt along the conveying direction.

A mesh-like conveyor belt is capable of varying in width and shape as it travels. The conveyor belt comprises a plurality of links, joints, and control elements. The joints connect the links to each other and allow the links to change their orientation within the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The plurality of links and joints allow the conveyor belt to vary in width, shape, trajectory, and surface speed while in motion. The conveyor belt also includes control elements, built into the structure of the belt that are capable of engaging with external guides. When the conveyor belt is in motion, the control elements engage with and follow the paths determined by external guides thereby controlling the shape of the belt.