Patents Assigned to Carter Control Systems, Inc.
-
Publication number: 20110259713Abstract: A spur section for connecting a primary conveyor to a secondary conveyor is provided. The spur section includes a frame configured for attachment to a selected segment of a primary conveyor, a driving element and a driven element associated with the frame, and a driver that powers the driving element. A sensor is arranged on the selected segment of the primary conveyor that detects a conveyed article and selectively generates a divert signal or a merge signal. A controller receives the divert signal or merge signal from the sensor and controls the driving element in accordance with the divert signal or merge signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: CARTER CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Duane Lee Glass, Bryan Todd Humbertson
-
Patent number: 7240788Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2007Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
-
Publication number: 20060266624Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: Carter Control Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald Belz, Duane Glass
-
Patent number: 7086523Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Carter Control System, Inc.Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
-
Publication number: 20050199473Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2005Publication date: September 15, 2005Applicant: Carter Controls Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald Belz, Duane Glass
-
Patent number: 6935485Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
-
Patent number: 6659268Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
-
Patent number: 6398014Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
-
Patent number: 6199677Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2000Date of Patent: March 13, 2001Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
-
Patent number: 5901827Abstract: A spiral conveyor with automatic flow control includes a plurality of curved segments connected to form a spiral for the flow by gravity of articles from an upper level to a lower level. Each of the segments includes freely rotating skate wheels forming a conveying surface and a controlled, powered cylindrical roller. A sensor mounted in each segment senses the presence of an article in the segment. A controller receives the signals from the sensors and activates the associated roller for transport mode to assist articles through the conveyor if the path is clear, or if the downstream portion of the conveyor is blocked, to reverse the roller for accumulate mode to hold articles in the segment until the path is cleared.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald F. Belz, Duane L. Glass
-
Patent number: 5481854Abstract: An apparatus for automatically inserting a tray of articles, such as a tray of letters for mailing, into a tubular packaging sleeve includes a conveyor for positioning a tray at an inserting position, and a sleeve carrier to move a sleeve into position for inserting the tray in the sleeve. The carrier includes a vacuum head for gripping a sleeve blank from the top of a sleeve supply, and sleeve forming plates for unfolding the blank into the tubular shape. The sleeve is positioned in axial alignment with the tray and a pusher arm pushes the tray into the sleeve. The invention includes automatic controls for initiating and controlling the sleeving operation without operator intervention. The invention includes a method of inserting a tray of articles in a sleeve using the apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1993Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: Carter Control Systems, Inc.Inventor: Carl D. Van Newkirk