The technical field of engineering chains, specifically chains for the transport of raw material is provided, which purpose is to reduce the number of moving parts usually used in engineering chains with outboard wheels, without sacrificing optimal performance. To this end, it provides a straight plate chain mechanism with external and internal pitch, with a ratchet mechanism between the pitches, making the chain self-supporting and allowing it to only rotate in the internal direction when it has direct interaction with the sprocket, thus considerably reducing the possible catenaries.

A conveying carriage for a distributing conveyor, in particular a crossbelt sorter, which is configured to be conveyed along at least one guide element of the distributing conveyor in a conveying direction, includes a connecting arrangement for connecting the conveying carriage to a drive means of the distributing conveyor. With regard to a maximum freedom of movement of the conveying carriage relative to the drive means of the distributing conveyor, it is provided that the connecting arrangement has an articulated bearing.

A vertical coin roll conveyor includes a number of coin roll carriers attached to a conveyor belt that moves the carriers along an endless path that includes a vertical ascending or descending portion. Each coin roll carrier is configured to convey a coin roll and includes a support leg that supports the coin roll on the coin roll carrier and a barrier that impedes the coin roll from rolling or sliding off the coin roll conveyor during conveyance of the coin roll along the vertical portion of the conveyor path.

A vertical coin roll conveyor includes a number of coin roll carriers attached to a conveyor belt that moves the carriers along an endless path that includes a vertical ascending or descending portion. Each coin roll carrier is configured to convey a coin roll and includes a support leg that supports the coin roll on the coin roll carrier and a barrier that impedes the coin roll from rolling or sliding off the coin roll conveyor during conveyance of the coin roll along the vertical portion of the conveyor path.

A conveyor system (1) comprising at least one endless chain conveyor (2) and at least one pallet (8) that comprises a magnetic material, where the conveyor system comprises a first loading station (3) and an unloading station (5), where the first loading station (3) comprises a magnet conveyor (6) comprising a linear motor for driving the pallet (8), where the pallet (8) comprises a product holder (9) having at least two holding positions (11, 12, 13, 14), and the magnet conveyor (6) is adapted to stop the pallet (8) at a plurality of positions, in which each holding position (11, 12, 13, 14) is aligned with a delivery position (15) of the first loading station (3). The advantage is that a pallet can be positioned in a plurality of positions at a loading station in a quick and precise manner, allowing for a flexible and quick handling of pallets.

A film (50) processing apparatus (20) including a film stretching device (22) and a take-away device (24). The take-away device receives the film after the stretching device and transports the film along a conveying region in a direction of transport (X). The take-away device includes opposing, first and second conveyor assemblies. The first conveyor assembly has a continuous belt driving a plurality of discrete pads (180a, 180b). Each pad forms a contact face (194a, 194b) extending between leading (200b) and trailing edges (202a). The pads are configured and arranged such that the trailing edge (202a) of a first pad (180a) overlaps the leading edge (200b) of an immediately adjacent second pad (180b) as the first and second pads traverse the conveying region. The overlap is characterised by a line (322) perpendicular to the direction of transport passing at any given moment through the first and second pads. A shape of the contact face can define a major central axis that is non-perpendicular and non-parallel with the direction of transport. The invention also relates to a method of processing a film using such an apparatus.

A film (50) processing apparatus (20) including a film stretching device (22) and a take-away device (24). The take-away device receives the film after the stretching device and transports the film along a conveying region in a direction of transport (X). The take-away device includes opposing, first and second conveyor assemblies. The first conveyor assembly has a continuous belt driving a plurality of discrete pads (180a, 180b). Each pad forms a contact face (194a, 194b) extending between leading (200b) and trailing edges (202a). The pads are configured and arranged such that the trailing edge (202a) of a first pad (180a) overlaps the leading edge (200b) of an immediately adjacent second pad (180b) as the first and second pads traverse the conveying region. The overlap is characterised by a line (322) perpendicular to the direction of transport passing at any given moment through the first and second pads. A shape of the contact face can define a major central axis that is non-perpendicular and non-parallel with the direction of transport. The invention also relates to a method of processing a film using such an apparatus.

A motorized transfer apparatus is described, comprising: a conveyor belt movable along a predetermined feeding direction and comprising a plurality of modular elements arranged in closed loop; a support structure comprising a sliding surface having a substantially cross-sectional triangular shape, so as to form in sequence: a first flat portion, which is substantially horizontal and which defines a transport plane for the objects transported by said conveyor belt, a second flat portion, which defines a descent path for the conveyor belt, and a third flat portion, which defines an ascent path for said the conveyor belt. The apparatus further comprises a motorized actuator device for the conveyor belt and a drive unit, inserted inside the support structure and arranged to transmit the motion generated by the motorized actuator device to the conveyor belt. Each modular element has a length, measured along the feeding direction, which is between 1.5% and about 6% of the overall length of the conveyor belt. The third flat portion connects the second flat portion with the first flat portion.

A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.

A method is provided for removing slack in a chain conveyor driven between a first sprocket and a second sprocket, the first sprocket and the second sprocket rotating in a first direction. The method includes: locking the second sprocket to prevent rotation of the second sprocket in a second direction opposite the first direction; operating the first sprocket in the second direction to position a slack portion between the first sprocket and the second sprocket; and removing at least one chain link from the slack portion.