JPH04267963A - Conveyor device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To make it possible to maintain materials to be processed in a position fixed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of a conveyor by mounting slats apart spaced intervals to conveyor plates. CONSTITUTION: The main transporting means of a conveyor mechanism forms an endless loop of the conveyor plates 86 connected by pin joints that rotate in a hinge-like maner to provide flexibility to the mechanism. The lower side of the conveyor is provided with a transportation link return induction machine to maintain the transverse alignment along the longitudinal axis of the conveyor plates 86. The slats 402 are mounted apart spaced intervals at the conveyor plates 86 and can move along slat supporting runners having channel plates connected to the lower side of the conveyor. As a result, the exact processing can be repeated and, therefore, the materials to be processed, i.e., carpet tiles may be maintained in the position fixed perpendicularly to the longitudinal shaft of the conveyor.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention generally relates to a conveyor device.
and more particularly to conveyor devices used in patterning rugs, especially those formed of tiles, with dyes or other liquids.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One major problem with current conveyors used for this application is that when sprayed by an electronically controlled spray bar in the formation of complex patterns, The result is that the rug tiles cannot be properly aligned on the conveyor so that accurate patterns can be repeatedly produced. One reason for this is the use of double strands on both sides of the conveyor to align and position the rug tiles on the conveyor. These chains stretch and become misaligned, so that the slats are no longer perfectly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor, thereby making them more difficult to repeat than is needed to repeat the precise pattern on the rug tiles. Patterning is done either early or late.

The present invention solves the above and other problems in a manner not disclosed in the known prior art.

0004

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A conveyor device which is primarily used in processing products by patterning with a dynamic flow of dye, such as using a liquid such as a dye, has a first planar portion; , an endless flexible element adjacent the first planar portion, and a second endless flexible element adjacent the endless flexible element.
and a planar portion on the flexible element.
It is fitted with a series of slats that precisely align the items being processed under the dye patterning processing element to obtain a result that can be accurately repeated.

An advantage of the present invention is that the material being processed, ie the rug tiles, can be maintained in a fixed position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor so that accurate processing can be repeated. be.

Another advantage is that the material processed by the lifter and take-off conveyor is removed so that there is no load on the alignment slats.

These and other advantages will be partly obvious and partly pointed out below.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS All reference numbers are the same throughout the drawings.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 discloses a side view of an overall apparatus for conveying materials in accordance with the present invention. As shown and will be described later, the apparatus is particularly adapted for conveying pile rug material that is treated by applying dye in the formation of a pattern. However, it will be appreciated that this conveyor system could be used to convey a variety of materials in a wide range of applications. All mechanical attachments of the present invention can be obtained by any of a wide variety of conventional hardware, adhesives, etc.

The conveyor system shown in FIG. 1 comprises a main conveyor system, generally designated by the numeral 1, as well as the conveyor mechanism itself, designated by the numeral 10. The main support frame arrangement 14 is now identical on both the left and right sides and includes a base I-beam support 56 that supports an upper horizontal rail 18 by vertical I-beam supports 9 and 16, respectively. There are two auxiliary vertical supports 15, 13 here, which also connect the horizontal base I-beam support 56 to the upper horizontal rail 18. The auxiliary vertical support 13 has two transverse members 20 extending from its lower part to the upper horizontal rail 18 on both sides. A horizontal support member 362 now extends between the transverse member 20 and the vertical I-beam support 9 to the right of the auxiliary vertical support 13 in FIG. Conveyor mechanism 10 has a support system outlined at 11 . The support system 11 comprises two horizontal support I-beams 22 which together with a long rear vertical support member 24 and an opposite short front vertical support member 26 form a carrier for the welding assembly. Here, lateral support member 568 extends between the upper portions of vertical support members 24 and 26. Both vertical support members 24 and 26 have a leveling pad adjustment mechanism 28 attached to the conveyor mechanism 10. The leveling pad adjustment mechanism 28 is comprised of a combination of a hexagonal cap screw, a hexagonal locknut, and a washer attached to the angle support bracket, and is used to level the conveyor mechanism 10. Conveyor mechanism support system 11 and main support frame assembly 1
4 is interconnected with a rail system generally designated 30. The rail system 30 includes a transportation I-beam track 99. Tracks 99 are located on the left and right sides of the main conveyor system 1 , run longitudinally along its length, and are attached to vertical I-beam supports 9 and 16 by support brackets 98 . Cylindrical rail 31
are attached to each of the transport I-beam tracks 99 by rail support spacers 34. The conveyor mechanism support system 11 is movable along the cylindrical rail 31 by four Thomson™ pillow block bearings 36. T
The homson pillow block bearing 36 is essentially an open linear bearing, manufactured by Thomson Ind.
Ustries of Port Washingto
It is commercially available from N., New York, and surrounds and rides on the cylindrical rail 31 and is located on each side of the main conveyor system 1. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 13, one of the Thomson pillow block bearings 36 is attached to the horizontal support I-beam 22.
below and outwardly therefrom and rear vertical support member 24
one is mounted below and outwardly from the horizontal support I-beam 22 and below and outwardly from the front vertical support member 26. A dyeing device, generally designated 40, is supported by a master dye applicator support frame 42. Here, the main dye device front inclined support member 96 includes a relatively long rear dye device vertical support member 97 and a relatively short front dye device vertical support member 100.
is attached. Front dye vertical support member 100
is attached to a horizontal base I-beam support 56 at the base of the main conveyor system 1. The rear dye device vertical support 97 is also connected to the transport I by support brackets 98.
It is attached to the beam trajectory 99. Here horizontal support beam 3
60 extends between the rear dye device vertical support 97 and the vertical I-beam support 9. The dyeing device 40 is described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,393,411 and 3,894,413.
No. 3,942,343, No. 4,019,35
No. 2, No. 4,202,189, No. 4,033,1
No. 54, No. 4,034,584, No. 4,116,
No. 626, No. 4,309,881, No. 4,434
, 632 and 4,584,854. As a result, the subject matters disclosed in each of the 11 US patent specifications identified above are:
Incorporated into this disclosure by reference.

A plurality of dye applicator members or spray bar devices 44 are positioned on the main conveyor mechanism 10 and spaced apart along its length. They extend in parallel spaced relation across the width of conveyor mechanism 10. Here there are handrails 46 on either side of the spray bar arrangement 44, supported by vertical members 47 and having a central support member 33 parallel to itself. Each spray bar device 4 for imparting a colored pattern to the rug, for patterning and dyeing the broadloom rug.
4 are supplied with dyes of different colors. The length of the conveyor may vary depending on the number of blow bar devices used. There is an access platform 48 attached to the main dye device inclined support means by vertical brackets 39 and angled brackets 49. Two transverse strut members (not shown) are at the rear of the main conveyor system relative to the support.

FIG. 2 shows the conveyor mechanism 10 taken out separately.
Referring to Figure 1, the primary conveying means of the present invention is an endless loop of conveyor plates 86 connected by pin joints 88 that rotate in a hinged manner to provide flexibility. The main part of the conveyor mechanism 10 is the upper layer 434
, an intermediate layer 132 , and a lower layer 135 . 1, 2 and 15, there is a transport link return guide 66 on the underside of the conveyor to maintain lateral alignment of the conveyor plate 86 along the longitudinal axis. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 9, the slats 402 are spaced apart and attached to the conveyor plate 86 on slat support runners with connected channel plates on the underside of the conveyor.
You can move along 68. Eight "U" shaped support brackets 78 hold the slat support runners in place. The main conveyor mechanism 10 is stabilized by upper and lower interconnected stabilizers designated by 83 and 82, respectively. The stabilizer is attached by some attachment means such as a hex cap screw located at 101 and a flat washer and a lock washer. Each opposing longitudinal end of the conveyor mechanism 10 has an upper and a lower pin wheel 72 and 73, respectively. Each pinwheel 72, 73 has seven sides,
Mounted on each shaft 70, 71 rotates in a respective pillow block linear bearing 60, 61. Pillow block linear bearing 60 is mounted on mounting bracket arrangement 74 while pillow block linear bearing 61 is mounted directly to the front of conveyor mechanism 10. The upper pinwheel 72 is a stand-off load
station) is protected from access by the guard 62. The pin wheels 72, 72 guide and rotate a conveyor plate 86 that moves longitudinally through the lateral center of the conveyor mechanism 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 15, there are panels 90 on both sides of the moving conveyor plate 86. These panels 90 are E. I. du Pon
t de Nemours & Company of
It is made from a product called CORIAN™ manufactured by Wilmington, Delaware. It is usually used as a material for the top of the table and can be classified as a type of plastic. However, a wide variety of materials can be used as the conveyor surface, as well as underlying surfaces such as 1/4 inch aluminum. These panels are attached to the top of conveyor mechanism 10 by bolts 92 or other attachment means. The moving conveyor plate 86 has linear pillow block linear bearings 105, 106 mounted thereunder. They are cylindrical shafts 103, 104 as shown in FIG.
They are riding on top of them and surrounding them. longitudinal shaft 103,
104 are mounted on support rails 107, 108 extending longitudinally together with the shafts 103, 104. Conveyor plate 86 has multiple threaded holes with inserts 401 . Plate 86 extends across the width of conveyor mechanism 10 and has one or more slats 402 affixed thereon that can accommodate a variety of products, ie, rug tiles, of various lengths. be able to.

The upper and lower pin wheels 72 and 73 each have two parallel plates 53 and 57 separated by a cylindrical spacer 58 attached by coupled screws and nuts. As shown in FIG. 4, an internal connecting member 351 is present between adjacent spacers 58. There are pinwheel support bars 374, 375 at each end of the conveyor mechanism 10 located at the rear and front of each conveyor mechanism. Also, for the upper pin wheel 72, the left mounting bracket 380
and a right mounting bracket 381. As shown in FIG. 4, both a left drip shield 390 and a right drip shield 391 are positioned below each of the longitudinal shafts 103, 104. At the rear of the conveyor mechanism 10, a slat protector 342 and a mounting angle member 343 are arranged.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, mechanical lifter 110 is a means for ejecting objects from the bottom end of conveyor mechanism 10. Referring to FIGS. Lifter 110 is connected to shaft 114 by an attachment mechanism 112. The mounting mechanism 112 is made by Fenner Manhei.
m of Manheim, Pennsylvania
It is called a Trantorque(TM) unit manufactured by Yahoo! Co., Ltd. and is connected to shaft 114. Attachment mechanism 112 will rotate into position about shaft 114 if resisted by a torque greater than 1800 inches/lbs. This allows even if the lifter 110 is connected to the conveyor plate 86
Contacting any slat 402 attached to the
Lifter 110 will be protected. shaft 114
is held in a fixed position by a combination of two clamp collars 121 and a thrust bearing 126. Shaft 114 is rotatably mounted within a sleeve bearing 120 having the trademark Rulon. Sleeve bearing 120 is made by Dixon Ind
Ustries Corporation of Br.
istol, manufactured by Rhode Island, with a series of four bolts 4 in the intermediate horizontal plane 132.
26 to a mounting bracket 122 attached to the conveyor mechanism 10. The conveyor mechanism 10 has a bottom layer 135 connected to an intermediate layer 132 by a vertical support member 133. A U-shaped member 128 with a square block 134 attached thereto is attached to the top of the intermediate layer 132 as one unit. Note that the top layer 434, which consists of a panel 90 on top of 1/4 inch aluminum as shown in FIG. 7, is not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Here, a flat cover plate 130 hides the central part of the shaft 114.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 15, a fiber optic sensor device, generally designated 532, is utilized to detect the presence of an object, such as a rug tile, on the end of the conveyor 10. It is equipped with a fiber optic sensor 145. Sensor 145 is connected by a hex cap screw and washer to mounting plate 146, which plate 146 is connected to spacer 149, which is attached to conveyor mechanism 10 by a socket head cap screw. Adjustment rod 148 is now attached to mounting plate 146 by a recessed socket set screw, and adjustment block 148 is attached to the side of conveyor 10 by a hexagonal cap screw and washer.
50 Move within. This allows positioning of the sensor by longitudinally positioning the hex nut 151.

Referring to FIG. 7, mechanical lifter 110
is preferably actuated by a cylinder 137 having a 11/2 inch bore and a 2 inch stroke. Cylinder 137 is pivotally attached to the end of conveyor mechanism 10 by mounting bracket 139 and pivot pin 141 . Lifter 110 is attached to cylinder 137 by U-link 143 using a hexagonal lock nut.
attached to.

As shown in FIG.
The conveyor equipment base shown at end member 158
and 159 . The conveyor mechanism support system 11 together with the interacting transverse beam 161 allows the conveyor mechanism 10 to move away from and below the blow bar arrangement 44 . As also shown in FIG. 1, this movement is actuated by motor 162. motor 162
is c-face, 3-step deceleration, 129:
1 hp 17 working in conjunction with a parallel gearbox with a ratio of 1
50r. p. m. , 240 volts d. c. It is a motor and has a carrying pulley 163 for winding and unwinding a cable 164 stretched between two cable clips 165 and 166. cable clip 165
The air cylinder 152 attached to the bracket 1
53 to the longitudinal support member 56. Shock absorbers 260 and 261 are mounted on L-shaped mounting brackets and positioned at each end of the relative travel of the conveyor support system 11. The two members 167 and 168 are the longitudinal support member 56
interconnected to and perpendicular to. Also,
Three support members 170, 171 and 172 are interconnected with members 168 and 159, and a horizontal support beam 360 is interconnected with and perpendicular to lateral support members 167 and 158.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10 and 15, a take-off conveyor is shown generally at 174 as in FIGS. is installed by. The tiles are sensed by fiber optic sensors 145 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10;
The tile is then loaded onto the take-off conveyor 174 by a mechanical lifter 110 in combination with a triangular tile transport bar 501. The lifter 110 is attached to the mounting bracket 13
9 is actuated by a cylinder 137 mounted tightly at the end of the conveyor. pin wheel 72
, 73 guide an endless loop of conveyor plates 86 with connecting pin joints 88 around the conveyor mechanism 10 . The take-off conveyor 174 is a 1/4 horsepower, 3 to 125 r.p.m. p. m. , 90
It is powered by a pulley 175 driven by a bolt DC motor (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, pulley 175 drives another pulley 177 by a continuous belt 176. Pulley 177 crosses the width of takeout conveyor 174 and drives shaft 178 which is held in place by flange bearings 179 and 180 which are held in place by side plates 181 and 182, respectively.
connected to. A flat-sided idler wheel 184 is used to maintain pressure on belt 176 and is attached to the shaft by a fastener (not shown). . Idler shaft 183, rotatably held in place by flange bearings 185 and 186, respectively, is directed toward the center of side plate 181 and side plate 182. On each side of the idler shaft 183 are side plates 181 and 18.
2 and a positioning rod 1 which is attached only by bolts and not by bearings.
87 is positioned. Take-out conveyor 174
Also at the ends of the side plates 181 and 1
There is a belt tension shaft 188 mounted on each of the belts 82 and held in place by bearings 189 and 190. Eight continuous belts 191 are
The shafts 178 and 188 rotate around the take-off conveyor 174 while the shaft 183 rotates. Eight support ribs 192 are positioned longitudinally along the width of the take-off conveyor 174. From left to right, belt spacers 202, 193, 194, 195,
196, 197, 198, 199, 200 and 20
1 exists. This allows the continuous belt 191 to move along a predetermined path.

FIG. 1, FIG. 11, FIG. 12, FIG. 13 and FIG.
4, the conveyor mechanism 10 can be operated at various locations by moving the conveyor mechanism support system 11 to a number of predetermined locations below the angled blow bar device 44 by means of a securing device generally designated 461. The height can be adjusted to handle rug tiles. The conveyor mechanism support system 11 rests on cylindrical rails 31 attached to rail support spacers 34 connected to a conveying I-beam track 99; horizontal support I connected to Thomson™ pillow block linear bearings 36; Vertical support members 24 and 26 are provided mounted on beam 22. The main component of the locking device 461 is a helical gear reducer 203 operated by a steering wheel 209 . The helical gear reducer 203 has hydraulic lubrication installation.
The locking cam 205 is controlled by encircling a bearing 207 which is connected to the bar 206 and attached to the bar 206 by a hex lock nut 278 . bearing 207
By surrounding the conveyor mechanism support system 11
secure in place. As shown in FIG. 14, the locking cam 205 has a raised rim 208 around its periphery over approximately 3/4 of its circumference. The locking cam is attached to the helical gear reducer by a recessed socket set 220 . The cam fixed switch target 234 is 2
Cam 20 for fixation by two socket head cap screws
It is attached to the side of 5.

The helical gear reducer 203 has a main cover mounting angle 210 with a Thomson™ pillow block linear bearing 211 attached to its underside.
is attached to. Angle 210 rests on two index shafts 222, 3 inches long and held in place on each side by support blocks 212 attached to index blocks 213. The index block 213 has an L-shaped index base 214 connected to a lateral index support member 283 that connects to the vertical I-beam support 16 and the auxiliary vertical support 15.
is attached to. External index block 225 has 15 individual positions for rugs or other treated objects of various heights and holds fixation device 461 in a defined position relative to index shaft 222. It is connected to the hole in the internal index block 226 by an adjustment pin 223 .

Sensor 270 is activated when transport sensor switch target 217 passes by. The transport sensor switch 217 is connected to the bar 206 and includes a spacer and a socket head cap screw. The sensor 270 is connected to the lateral index support member 283
It is attached to a mounting bracket 267 which is attached to a mounting plate 265 which is connected to a mounting post 266 which is connected to a mounting post 266. The signal from sensor 270 goes to a control system that regulates by slowing down motor 162 of FIG. Closer to the helical gear reducer 203 is also a transport sensor switch target 217
There is another sensor 271 activated by . However, at this time, the control system stops rotation of motor 162.

Here, the cam fixation release sensor 272 is shown in FIG.
1, it is placed to the right of the fixing cam 205 and faces towards the cam 205 . The cam fixation release switch target 291 is attached to the fixation cam 205 that activates the sensor 272. The cam fixation release sensor 272 has a mounting bracket 253 attached to the mounting angle 210. The mounting bracket 254 for the sensor 271 is the mounting bracket 253
attached to. The cam fixing sensor 273 is the fixing cam 2
05, facing toward that cam, and activated by the cam fixed switch target 234. The cam fixed sensor 273 is attached to the mounting bracket 28
6 It is attached on top.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 15 and 16,
A transport link return guiding device 66 is disclosed. Therein are two dual wheels 230 on the underside of the conveyor mechanism 10 that hold the conveyor plate 86 in horizontal alignment with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor mechanism 10. Both wheels 230 are mounted on wheel guide base plate 307. Each wheel 230
The shaft 309 is inside the bearing housing 310.
and the base plate 3 by bolts 311
07 has a bearing device 231 attached to it. Guide wheel base plate 307 is attached to conveyor mechanism 10 by a bolt and nut combination 312 . Here two ball bearings 316
and 314 exist, and ball bearing 31
4 is retained on each side by retaining rings 313 and 315. In the upper part of the conveyor mechanism 10 is a series of five guide rollers (not shown) for maintaining the longitudinal alignment of the conveyor plate 86. Figure 1
6 also shows a conveyor plate 86 with connected slats 402 aligned by wheels 230 .

Referring to FIGS. 3, 15, 17, 18, 19 and 25, a cap device 341 is mounted below the conveyor mechanism 10 and is clamped and connected.
is held on the underside of the conveyor mechanism 10 by a series of screws and washers 388 and oriented upwardly on each side of the conveyor to prevent the presence of rug tiles or any other object to be treated. and thereby feed this information to the control system of the processing equipment1.
There is a pair of effector switch sensors 240. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 15, the placement of sensor 240 is toward the rear of conveyor mechanism 10. As shown in FIGS. A print start sensor device, generally designated 250, is operative to enable a computerized dyeing process. This print start sensor device 250 is a high-speed reflection sensor 382
It utilizes an enclosing guard 299 to protect itself, and attaches to the mounting bracket 298 by conventional hardware 344 such as shoulder bolts and/or cap screws.
It is attached to the conveyor mechanism 10 by a base and clamp combination 345 that is attached to the conveyor mechanism 10. The mounting bracket 343 has an oblong hole through which the shoulder bolt and cap screw are connected to the conveyor mechanism 10. The mounting bracket 343 can be positioned by an adjustment rod 347 that is threadedly connected to the adjustment block 346. Adjustment block 346 is bolted to the side of conveyor mechanism 10. The adjustment rod 347 is connected to the mounting bracket extension by a set screw 348. Adjustment rod 347
A nut on each side of the mounting bracket 343 changes the position of the mounting bracket 343.

The conveyor plate 86 is connected to the conveyor mechanism 1.
Move along a path defined along the center of the longitudinal path of 0. As shown in Figures 20, 21 and 22, the conveyor plate has a number of assorted inserts 401 for the attachment of slats 402 at various positions depending on the size of the rug tile being processed. Shown in detail, with threaded holes. A longitudinal row of rounded corner cap screws 503 is slightly off-center on conveyor plate 86 to hold rack gear 507 on the underside of conveyor plate 86 in FIG. There is a pair of pillow block linear bearings 105, 106 previously disclosed in FIG. Here again, retainer 505 is held in place by a hex screw and washer or the like. Here also a connecting protruding interconnection portion 504 is held in place by a recessed point socket set screw and serves to interconnect the conveyor plate 86 by a connecting pin joint 88. Rack gear 507 is an integral part of the drive means for conveyor mechanism 10.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the conveyor plate 86 is connected to the conveyor mechanism 1 as shown in FIG.
It is powered by a drive gear 520 located towards the rear of the conveyor mechanism 10 and interconnected with the rack gear 507 to power the conveyor mechanism 10. Drive gear 520
is attached to the drive shaft 522 by the retaining ring 521.
It is tightly attached. A pair of bearings 523
are mounted within bearing housings 524 on each side of drive gear 520 . Housing 524 is bolted to intermediate horizontal surface 132 of the conveyor by bolts 534 or equivalent means. Bearing 523 is lubricated by a series of conduits 526 passing from bearing housing 524 to a grease nipple, generally designated 525, including block 527 and male connector 528. The drive shaft 522 is also connected to an optical incremental encoder 529 which includes, from left to right, a rawhide seal 530 and an encoder seal 531 as shown in FIG. Encoder 529 also has a mounting bushing 561 as well as a cover 533 and a torque arm 535. The opposite side of shaft 522 has a ratio of 60:1;
Gear reducer 54 comprising a protective bracket 542 and a lower mounting bracket 540 attached to conveyor mechanism 10 and gear reducer 543 by bolts 541
Connected to 3. Preferably 240 volts, 2 horsepower, 1750 rpm. p. m. motor 55, which is an electric motor of
0 is connected to gear reducer 543 by adapter 551
and is partially housed within the main drive cover 552.

Referring to FIG. 24, optical encoder 529
has a mounting base 570 and an O-ring 560 for mounting thereon. Encoder 529 has a spring stud 562 with a spring 563 attached thereto and connected to and controlling torque arm 595. Also present here are the encoder connection box 565 and the torque arm stud 535.

It is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited to the particular embodiments described and illustrated. Rather, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 is a side view of a conveyor apparatus of the present invention used in applying dyes to pattern textile materials; FIG.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the conveyor mechanism and two support members taken out individually.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the conveyor mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lifter mechanism.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the take-out conveyor device.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the transportation fixing device.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the transportation fixing device.

FIG. 13 is a right side view of the transportation fixing device.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a partial plan view of a conveyor apparatus including a partial tile missing detector sensor device and a process start sensor device.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the conveyor plate.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 21-21 in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22-22 of FIG. 20.

23 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 23-23 of FIG. 2. FIG.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 23.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Main conveyor device, 10... Conveyor device, 11... Support system, 31... Cylindrical rail, 40... Dyeing device, 44
...Blow bar device, 86...Conveyor plate, 13
7,152...Cylinder, 174...Takeout conveyor,
402...Slat.

Claims (45)

[Claims] 1. (a) a first planar portion; (b) a first endless flexible element adjacent the first planar portion; and (c) a first endless flexible element. and an adjacent second planar portion. 2. The first endless flexible element comprises:
2. The conveyor system of claim 1, further comprising a series of rotationally interconnected plates arranged in side-by-side relationship. 3. The conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein slats are tightly affixed to said first endless flexible element and traverse said first and said second planar portions. 4. The conveyor apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of parallel slats are tightly secured to said first endless flexible element and transverse said first and second planar portions. 5. The conveyor apparatus of claim 2, wherein slats are tightly attached to said first endless flexible element and traverse said first and second planar portions. 6. The conveyor apparatus of claim 2, wherein a plurality of parallel slats are tightly secured to said first endless flexible element and transverse to said first and second planar portions. 7. The conveyor device comprises a longitudinal shaft having first and second portions disposed at opposite ends of the longitudinal shaft and for removing articles from one of the portions. 2. A conveyor system according to claim 1, further comprising means. 8. The conveyor device includes a longitudinal axis having a first end portion and an opposed second end portion along the longitudinal axis; 6. A conveyor apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising means for removing articles. 9. The conveyor apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for removing articles comprises a second endless flexible element. 10. The means for removing the article comprises:
9. The conveyor apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a second endless flexible element. 11. The conveyor apparatus of claim 9, wherein said second endless flexible element surrounds a pair of cylindrical rolls. 12. The conveyor apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second endless flexible element surrounds a pair of cylindrical rolls. 13. The conveyor apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second endless flexible element surrounds a plurality of cylindrical rolls. 14. The conveyor apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second endless flexible element surrounds a plurality of cylindrical rolls. 15. The conveyor apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for removing articles comprises an elongated finger movable between a first position and a second position. 16. The conveyor apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for removing articles comprises an elongated finger movable between a first position and a second position. 17. The means for removing an article comprises an elongate finger movable between a first position and a second position and adjacent an endless flexible element.
Conveyor equipment as described. 18. The conveyor apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for removing articles comprises a plurality of elongated fingers movable between a first position and a second position. 19. The conveyor apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for removing articles comprises a plurality of elongated fingers movable between a first position and a second position. 20. The means for removing an article comprises a plurality of elongated fingers movable between a first position and a second position and adjacent a plurality of endless flexible elements. The conveyor device according to item 7. 21. The conveyor system of claim 15, wherein said fingers are actuated by cylinders. 22. The conveyor system of claim 17, wherein the fingers are actuated by cylinders. 23. A first planar portion, a first endless flexible element adjacent the first planar portion, the first endless flexible element for transporting a substrate within a predetermined path of movement; a second planar portion adjacent the endless flexible element; and a conveyor apparatus having a row of outlets extending and positioned across the substrate path for discharging in generally parallel corresponding rows; a liquid applicator means positioned above the substrate path; an unbiased main stream of liquid on the trajectory of the main stream of liquid directed toward the substrate path; and a source of electrically encoded pattern data. , gas passage means positioned adjacent to said row of outlets and aligned with the discharge axis of the outlets for selective biasing by pattern data from such data source; and said gas passage intersecting said main stream of liquid. a trajectory of the main stream of liquid emanating from the outlet with a flow of gas from the means, and a main flow path located adjacent to the outlet and opposite the gas passage means and extending along the row of the outlets; and a liquid collection chamber having an opening positioned to receive said gas flow and a main liquid flow deflected thereby. 24. The conveyor apparatus of claim 23, wherein said first endless flexible element comprises a series of rotationally interconnected plates arranged in side-by-side relationship. 25. The conveyor apparatus of claim 23, wherein slats are tightly attached to said first endless flexible element and traverse said first and second planar portions. 26. A plurality of parallel slats are tightly secured to the first endless flexible element and transverse the first and second planar portions.
Conveyor equipment as described. 27. The conveyor apparatus of claim 24, wherein slats are tightly attached to said first endless flexible element and traverse said first and second planar portions. 28. A plurality of parallel slats are tightly secured to the first endless flexible element and transverse the first and second planar portions.
Conveyor equipment as described. 29. The conveyor device includes a longitudinal axis and a first end portion and an opposed end portion therealong, and an inner portion of the first and second opposed end portions. 24. A conveyor apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising means for removing articles from one of the conveyor apparatus. 30. The conveyor apparatus comprises a longitudinal shaft having first and second portions disposed at opposite ends of the longitudinal shaft and for removing articles from one of the portions. 28. A conveyor system as claimed in claim 27, comprising means for. 31. The means for removing the article comprises:
30. The conveyor apparatus of claim 29, comprising a second endless flexible element. 32. The means for removing the article comprises:
31. The conveyor apparatus of claim 30, comprising a second endless flexible element. 33. The conveyor apparatus of claim 31, wherein the second endless flexible element surrounds a pair of cylindrical rolls. 34. The conveyor apparatus of claim 32, wherein the second endless flexible element surrounds a pair of cylindrical rolls. 35. The conveyor apparatus of claim 33, wherein the second endless flexible element surrounds a plurality of cylindrical rolls. 36. The conveyor apparatus of claim 34, wherein the second endless flexible element surrounds a plurality of cylindrical rolls. 37. The conveyor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said means for removing articles comprises an elongated finger movable between a first position and a second position. 38. The conveyor apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for removing articles comprises an elongated finger movable between a first position and a second position. 39. The means for removing an article comprises an elongated finger movable between a first position and a second position and adjacent a second endless flexible element. 29. The conveyor device according to 29. 40. The conveyor apparatus of claim 29, wherein said means for removing articles comprises a plurality of elongated fingers movable between a first position and a second position. 41. The conveyor apparatus of claim 30, wherein said means for removing articles comprises a plurality of elongated fingers movable between a first position and a second position. 42. The means for removing an article comprises a plurality of elongate fingers movable between a first position and a second position and adjacent a plurality of second endless flexible elements. 30. The conveyor device according to claim 29. 43. The conveyor apparatus of claim 37, wherein the fingers are actuated by cylinders. 44. The conveyor apparatus of claim 39, wherein said fingers are actuated by cylinders. 45. A plate for transporting a substrate within a predetermined path of movement, comprising a series of rotationally interconnected plates with the first planar portion and tightly secured thereon. a first endless flexible element having a plurality of parallel slats adjacent the first planar section; and a second planar section adjacent the first endless flexible element. and a second endless flexible element surrounding a pair of cylindrical rolls onto which the moving substrate is lifted by a pair of elongated fingers; and generally liquid applicator means having a row of outlets extending across and positioned across the substrate path for discharging in parallel corresponding rows and positioned above the substrate path; an unbiased main stream of liquid on the trajectory of the main stream of liquid and a source of electrically encoded pattern data;
gas passage means positioned adjacent to said row of outlets and aligned with the discharge axis of said outlets for selective biasing by pattern data from such data source; and said gas passage means intersecting said main flow of liquid. a trajectory of the main stream of liquid emanating from the outlet with a flow of gas from the outlet; An apparatus for applying liquid to a moving substrate, comprising a liquid collection chamber having an opening positioned to receive said gas flow and a main liquid flow deflected thereby.