By Plural, Unequal-speed Members Simultaneously Contacting And Conveying Items Patents (Class 198/415)
  • Patent number: 11685608
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the single-track or multi-track conveying of objects along a conveying path extending in a conveying direction, wherein the conveying path for at least one track comprises at least one conveying device that takes over objects at the input side from a functional unit connected upstream and that transfers objects at the output side to a functional unit connected downstream; and wherein the conveying device as a whole and/or in an output-side end region is adjustable transversely to the conveying direction by means of an adjustment device such that the transverse position of objects to be transferred is changed within the respective track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: WEBER MASCHINENBAU GMBH BREIDENBACH
    Inventor: Jens Schröder
  • Patent number: 11161637
    Abstract: An article packaging machine and method or turning article packs, the article packaging machine having a turner station for turning article packs moving though the packaging machine. The packaging machine includes a main conveyor extending longitudinally from an upstream end to a downstream end and through the turning station. Article packs are carried by the main conveyor spaced and sequentially in the downstream direction through the turner station. The turner station includes flight drive assembly having multiple flight assemblies. The flight assemblies are driven above upper cam plates in the upstream direction, and below lower cam plates in the downstream direction. The flight assemblies include turner rods that are moved toward the main conveyor to contact the article pack in at least two points. The turner rods progressively move toward the main conveyor center line until the distal ends of the turner rods are moved past the article pack side walls and the pack is turned 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, LLC
    Inventors: Colin P. Ford, Thomas A. Rice
  • Patent number: 11046529
    Abstract: Using a transporter to either transport a first package or to simultaneously transport several packages, one of which is the first package includes using a double conveyor of the transporter to execute a first rotational movement of at least the first package, using a monitor, detecting an actual orientation of the first package, comparing an actual orientation of the first package with a predetermined setpoint orientation, detecting a deviation between the actual orientation and the setpoint orientation, and causing the transporter to carry out a second rotation of the first package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventors: Christopher Stuhlmann, Norman Pau, Lothar Wess, Manfred Berg, Johannes Look
  • Patent number: 10988314
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a drive assembly and a plurality of rollers configured to singulate a plurality of conveyed articles travelling on the plurality of rollers along a direction of travel. Each of the plurality of rollers having a drive end and a base end. The drive end having a drive sheave including a plurality of grooves and a plurality of peaks interposed between the plurality of grooves formed on a surface thereof. The drive assembly is coupled to the drive end of at least one of the plurality of rollers by a drive belt. At least a first portion of the plurality of rollers is disposed at an angle with respect to the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: LEWCO, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald T. Guerra, Albert E. Sparling, Charles J. Fresch
  • Patent number: 10858199
    Abstract: A conveying system transports items, such as postal items, along a main conveying direction. A conveying route includes segments that are arranged one behind the other along the main conveying direction. The segments have conveyors arranged parallel to one another and the segments are offset relative to one another in a transverse direction. The conveyors are driven and activated individually by a control unit. The items are conveyed along the main conveying direction by transferring an item from a preceding segment to a following segment that is offset relative to the preceding segment and then transporting the item on the following segment. Items with small dimensions, which rest on just one conveyor can also be manipulated during the transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Michele Vitalini
  • Patent number: 10569462
    Abstract: A feed device for a conveyor system for preforms which transports the preforms coming in an ordered manner from an upstream module of the conveyor system to a downstream module of the conveyor system in which the preforms are separated into singles, wherein the feed device has at least two oppositely arranged transport rails, on which the preforms rest in each case with a support ring. The feed device additionally includes at least two oppositely arranged belt transport units which preferably engage with a threaded portion of the preforms and transport them in a transport direction to the downstream module of the conveyor system, wherein the belt transport units each have a drive which applies a torque to the preforms accumulated in front of the downstream module, which torque the individual preforms are able to be transferred in a more reliable manner from the feed device into the downstream module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: M. TANNER AG
    Inventor: Marcel Tanner
  • Patent number: 10485160
    Abstract: A motor shaft assembly includes a first shaft, a first motor, a second shaft and a second motor. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. The first motor is attached to the first end of the first shaft and is configured to rotate the first shaft about a longitudinal axis. The first shaft and the first motor have a longitudinal bore. The second shaft has a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the second shaft is positioned in the longitudinal bore. The second motor is attached to the first end of the second shaft and is configured to rotate the second shaft about the longitudinal axis. A conveyor assembly includes a first shaft, sprocket, motor, and conveyor, and a second shaft, sprocket, motor and conveyor. An agricultural apparatus includes a tank, a boom, conveyors and motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Zimmerman, Mark Ronald Wohlhuter
  • Patent number: 10457495
    Abstract: A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. Methods are discussed for manipulating objects by a bump-through indexing operation, a slug-control indexing operation, a catch-and-release indexing operation, box or case turning operations, and zero-pressure accumulation operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Rexnord Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Justin Michael Stefanko, Philip Michael Gabor
  • Patent number: 10315376
    Abstract: A method and system for digitally scoring a substrate prior to completing a carton blank is disclosed. After digitally printing a substrate, it is processed through a series of scoring wheels, male on top, female wheel on bottom. The scoring wheels (and transfer belts which help move the substrate through the wheels) are controlled from the same computer file used to create the graphic image. Subsequent to the first scoring sequence, the substrate is turned 90 degrees and a second scoring sequence takes place. After the scoring sequences have been performed, the substrate continues to the laser die cutter where the same computer or digital file determines where to physically cut the sheet into a carton blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: The C.W. Zumbiel Company
    Inventor: Edward A. Zumbiel
  • Patent number: 10314226
    Abstract: A motor shaft assembly includes a first shaft, a first motor, a second shaft and a second motor. The first shaft has a first end and a second end. The first motor is attached to the first end of the first shaft and is configured to rotate the first shaft about a longitudinal axis. The first shaft and the first motor have a longitudinal bore. The second shaft has a first end and a second end, wherein a portion of the second shaft is positioned in the longitudinal bore. The second motor is attached to the first end of the second shaft and is configured to rotate the second shaft about the longitudinal axis. A conveyor assembly includes a first shaft, sprocket, motor, and conveyor, and a second shaft, sprocket, motor and conveyor. An agricultural apparatus includes a tank, a boom, conveyors and motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Michael Zimmerman, Mark Ronald Wohlhuter
  • Patent number: 10259653
    Abstract: A platform for providing omnidirectional movement includes a first moveable member, a second moveable member, and a drive system. The first moveable member has an exterior surface adapted to support an object and has a plurality of first grooves therein. The second moveable member has an exterior surface adapted to support the object and has a plurality of second grooves therein. The drive system is operably coupled to the first and second moveable members and is adapted to independently drive the first and second moveable members in a forward direction and a reverse direction. The pluralities of first and second grooves are adapted to interact with the object to move the object in any direction along the exterior surfaces of the first and second moveable members when the drive system is driving at least one of the first and second moveable members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Feedback, LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Leong
  • Patent number: 10081493
    Abstract: A conveyor device includes at least three lift columns, a lower conveyor body, and an upper conveyor body. The upper conveyor body is adjustable in its height relative to the lower conveyor body. The lift columns project at least partially above the upper conveyor body without lengthwise supports acting in the transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Wipotec GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Günther, Kay-Eric Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10061308
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for delayering parcels. A parcel delayering system for automatic processing of a plurality of parcels includes a multi-stage arrangement of sequential cascading conveyors configured for de-layering the plurality of parcels. One or more of the conveyors has a high-friction belt which is inclined in a direction of travel and arranged such that a first conveyor section discharges from above onto a second conveyor section. The parcel delayering system includes a system or processor configured to progressively increase a duty cycle from stage to stage of the multi-stage arrangement of sequential cascading conveyors by adding pulsation in a velocity of the conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Rajeev Dwivedi, Michael Yaklin, Jocelyn Zhu
  • Patent number: 9927377
    Abstract: A sizing apparatus has input and output ends and a sampling window therebetween. Sizing means determines the size of each item passing through the sampling window. Singulating means arranges the items in a line and delivers them sequentially at the input end of the sizing apparatus. A lower conveyor belt extends through the sizing apparatus from the input end through the sampling window to the output end. The lower conveyor belt is translated at a speed sufficient to receive, transport, and maintain the items in sequential fashion. A flexible upper stabilizer belt is arranged above and generally in alignment with the lower conveyor belt, and is driven to match the speed of the lower conveyor belt. The upper stabilizer belt is suspended so as to engage the items incoming from said singulating means and to maintain loose contact with them until the items have passed through the sampling window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Daniel G. Mills
  • Patent number: 9878349
    Abstract: The postal sorting machine comprises a sorting conveyor suitable for transporting postal articles in series past sorting outlets and a postal article feed unit having a magazine for loosely storing postal articles to be sorted and a separator that has a robotized arm and a vision sensor and that is suitable for picking up the postal articles to be sorted one-by-one from the magazine and for putting them on the sorting conveyor while placing them in series at constant pitch. The sorting conveyor has a flat conveyor that slopes sideways to form a jogging edge against which the postal articles are jogged by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: SOLYSTIC
    Inventors: Karine Crest, Pierre Campagnolle, Jacques Petit
  • Patent number: 9815090
    Abstract: An article induction system for preparing a stream of articles, such as mail parcels, for processing employs a series of conveyors operating under control of a controller for feeding articles to an operator at a cull belt at an optimal paced rate. The article induction system includes a destacking section, a separation and alignment section, a buffer section and a culling section manned by an operator. A controller controls the speed of each component based on measurements provided by sensors so as to feed articles to the operator at a desired paced rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Stephen G. Wargo
  • Patent number: 9708132
    Abstract: In a method for conveying a succession of flat objects in a longitudinal direction, each object is pivoted while being conveyed at a first longitudinal displacement speed (V1) during the pivoting phase in a pivoting zone. Each flat object is conveyed at a second longitudinal displacement speed (V2) in a second zone adjacent to the pivoting zone, the second speed being different from the first speed. This sets spacing between objects in the zones before and after the pivoting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: BOBST MEX SA
    Inventor: Gérard Coullery
  • Patent number: 9387988
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Petri Saastamo, Christopher W. Blomquist, Mike Dockter
  • Patent number: 9151982
    Abstract: A manufacturing system is provided with a supplying apparatus of a first sheet material supplying after cutting into a predetermined length, and a supplying apparatus of a second sheet material supplying after cutting into a predetermined length, and the supplying apparatus of the first sheet material and the supplying apparatus of the second sheet material are structured such that one supplying apparatus cuts a long sheet material having a width corresponding to a short side into a length corresponding to a long side, and the other supplying apparatus cuts a long sheet material having a width corresponding to the long side into a length corresponding to the short side, in correspondence to the long side and the short side of the optical display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuo Kitada, Tomokazu Yura, Satoru Koshio, Takuya Nakazono
  • Patent number: 9022203
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor with the workpieces oriented transverse to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors configured to convey workpieces toward a lugged conveyor. The first and second endless conveyors of each pair are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction and aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array can form a continuous or discontinuous transport surface. Some pairs of endless conveyors in the array may overlap one or more other pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array may include two or more endless conveyors that are independently driven at different speeds and/or in different directions to de-skew a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Andre LaPierre, Damon Clinch
  • Patent number: 9016460
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Petri Saastamo, Christopher W. Blomquist, Mike Dockter
  • Patent number: 8985306
    Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor with the workpieces oriented transverse to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors configured to convey workpieces toward a lugged conveyor. The first and second endless conveyors of each pair are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction and aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array can form a continuous or discontinuous transport surface. Some pairs of endless conveyors in the array may overlap one or more other pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array may include two or more endless conveyors that are independently driven at different speeds and/or in different directions to de-skew a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Andre LaPierre, Damon Clinch
  • Patent number: 8978529
    Abstract: A food article feed apparatus for a food article slicing machine. The apparatus has conveyor with a drive belt for connecting a drive source to a drive roller, and a conveyor belt. The drive roller is for driving the conveyor. The drive roller has an outer diameter and a recessed diameter where the drive belt is connected around the recessed diameter and the conveyor belt is connected around the outer diameter. The drive belt operates within an area defined by the first conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Pasek
  • Patent number: 8875868
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning a sheet product conveyed on a conveying surface of a conveyor system in a direction of conveyance at a conveying velocity, which product has on its side facing away from the conveying surface an at least partially exposed surface. The apparatus has an alignment unit, which is arranged above the conveying surface and which is intended to change the situation of the product with respect to the conveying surface by means of a force acting upon the exposed surface. The alignment unit has a self-contained, flexible force transmission member, which, on that side of the alignment unit which is facing toward the conveying surface, forms a sagging strand, which latter is intended to rest with a portion on the at least partially exposed surface of the product and thus subject said product to the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Konrad Auf der Maur
  • Patent number: 8813945
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating containers, including a first treatment unit which treats the containers in a first predefined manner, a transport device which transports the containers away from the first treatment unit, and a second treatment unit which is arranged downstream of the first treatment unit in the transport direction of the containers and which treats the containers in a second predefined manner, wherein the transport device has a first transport unit for transporting the containers and this first transport unit has a guide device which makes contact with the containers and relative to which the containers are moved. The transport device has a second transport unit which is arranged downstream of the first transport unit in the transport direction of the containers and which rotates the containers through a predefined angle relative to the container longitudinal axis during transport of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Michael Jogsch, Stefan Raith
  • Patent number: 8807321
    Abstract: A feeder for a mail-handling machine is provided with a conveyor device having at least one row of drive rollers comprising at least first and second drive rollers standing proud through a mailpiece-receiving deck of the feeder and controlled by a suitable drive mechanism, said first and second drive rollers being inclined at an angle ? relative to a perpendicular to a longitudinal referencing wall, and the second drive roller being driven in rotation with a first predetermined delay relative to the first drive roller, which is the closer to the referencing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Yannick Claris
  • Patent number: 8776986
    Abstract: A singulator for use with fruit handling equipment including spaced fruit supports driven at a particular speed, the singulator causing the fruit to assume single file for transfer to the fruit supports, the singulator including a first pair of belts arranged in a V formation travelling at different speeds, wherein the first pair of belts merges into a second pair of belts arranged in a V formation and both travelling at about the speed of the fruit supports, and wherein the second pair of belts is adapted to be operated so as to transfer the fruits substantially at the same speed as the fruit supports, whereby fruit are transferred to the fruit supports in single file whilst moving at the same speed as the fruit supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: MAF Agrobotic
    Inventor: Bruce Thomas Morley
  • Patent number: 8727100
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed at a system for conveying apparatus over a conveyor belt assembly. The system includes a set of pallets which support the apparatus and travel within parallel driving conveyors of the conveyor belt assembly. While the pallets in both driving conveyors are capable of rotation, only the pallets in one of the driving conveyors may move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel so that the apparatus may be centred over the conveyor belt assembly when the pallets are in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Donald Ecob, Bounna Wang
  • Patent number: 8689965
    Abstract: A conveyor belt system is provided for enabling rotation of a number of packages, such that every second package is rotated clockwise, and every other package is rotated counter clockwise. A computer program product is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Magnus Sjögren, Jessica Elmehav
  • Patent number: 8684167
    Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a pallet sleeve beneath a load comprises a conveyor component including conveyor elements configured to convey the load thereon in a first direction, one or more stations spaced apart along the first direction and a mechanism for changing the relative vertical positions of the conveyor elements and the stations. The apparatus further includes a pallet sleeve dispenser adjacent the conveyor component and configured for storing pallet sleeves in spaced apart sections aligned with a corresponding station. A drive element associated with each of the stations is configured to engage a pallet sleeve to drive the pallet sleeve from the dispenser to the conveyor component in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A retention mechanism is provided to support a stack of pallet sleeves above a lowermost sleeve being driven from the dispenser to the position underneath the load on the conveyor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Systec Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harris, Sean Finley
  • Patent number: 8584832
    Abstract: A system and method for skew correction of a mailpiece includes moving the mailpiece along a path of travel in a first orientation toward a first drive roller and a second drive roller. Control of the mailpiece is established in the first orientation by the drive rollers. A first skew correction of the mailpiece is implemented by employing the first drive roller and the second drive roller to align the mailpiece with respect to the path of travel. The first drive roller and the second drive roller may be employed to change the orientation of the stopped mailpiece from the first orientation to a second orientation with respect to the path of travel. A second skew correction may be implemented by employing the first drive roller and the second drive roller to align the mailpiece in the second orientation with respect to the path of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur H. Depoi, John W. Sussmeier
  • Patent number: 8550237
    Abstract: A conveyor unit for a transport system of articles including a first conveyor chain and a second conveyor chain, located one downstream from the other in a direction of transport. The first and the second conveyor chain each comprise two conveyor sub-chains, which are arranged in such a way that a region of overlap is formed between a conveyor sub-chain of the first conveyor chain and a conveyor sub-chain of the second conveyor chain. During the transfer from the first conveyor chain onto the region of overlap and from there onto the second conveyor chain the article is always supported by at least one conveyor sub-chain. A velocity of at least one conveyor sub-chain therein is such that an alteration of a state of motion of the article is achievable within the conveyor element. Furthermore a transport system for articles is disclosed, which comprises a plurality of conveyor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Martin Seger, Stefan Heigl, Johann Huettner
  • Patent number: 8499923
    Abstract: A method for channeling upright containers, which are loosely queued in a row, into a transport device is performed by a rotatable separating device, which has the purpose of separating the loosely queued containers, and a stationary accumulating device for the containers downstream of the separating device. The accumulating device has a plurality of stoppers arranged in a row in the transport direction, which can be extended individually in the direction transverse to the transport direction and, in the extended state, define holding positions for the containers. The stoppers are extended one-by-one based on sensor results to sequentially fill the holding positions of the accumulating device starting from the holding position arranged farthest from the separating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Kronawitter, Stefan Angele
  • Patent number: 8448774
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming piece goods batches, comprising a first transport device which transports the piece goods along a predefined transport path at a first transport speed, a second transport device which transports the piece goods along the predefined transport path at a second transport speed and which is arranged downstream of the first transport device along the transport path, and an assembling device which is arranged downstream of the second transport device along the transport path and forms batches from a plurality of piece goods. The apparatus may further comprise a buffer device which transports the piece goods along a variable buffer section and which is arranged between the first transport device and the second transport device, wherein the first transport speed and the second transport speed differ at least at times and the buffer device at least at times receives the piece goods streams brought about as a result of different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Johann Huettner, Martin Seger
  • Patent number: 8434609
    Abstract: A method is provided for alignment of flat products along a side guide of a conveying device. The products are conveyed successively while resting on their flat base area. Each product is positioned at an angle relative to the conveying direction while in an essentially horizontal plane. Subsequently each product is straightened. The straightened products are pushed against a side guide to align the products along the side guide. A conveying device is also provided to carry out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventor: Marcel Buerge
  • Patent number: 8418834
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for prefeeding corrugated boards to a box finishing machine wherein a stack of rectangular boards are moved to a first conveyor with the long dimension of the boards extending transverse to the direction of movement of said first conveyor. The stack is then rotated to place the long dimension of the boards in alignment with the direction of movement of said first conveyor, and then moving the rotated stack to a second conveyor for feeding to a box finishing machine with the long dimension of the boards in alignment with the direction or path of movement of the boards through the box finishing machine. The stack is transferred to the first conveyor from an elevator which contains a supply of boards larger than the stack. Three different types of apparatus are disclosed for rotating the stack. One is a plurality of conveyor belts whose speeds may be varied to rotate the boards. Another is a turntable with a set of belt conveyors and a set of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sun Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis M. Sardella
  • Publication number: 20120228085
    Abstract: A conveyor belt system is provided for enabling rotation of a number of packages, such that every second package is rotated clockwise, and every other package is rotated counter clockwise. A computer program product is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE S.A.
    Inventors: Magnus Sjögren, Jessica Elmehav
  • Patent number: 8210339
    Abstract: A device and a method for sorting and stacking glass plates of different thicknesses and/or different formats over a divided transport line is described. The device and method are characterized by the following: 1) an aligning device which aligns the glass plates against a left and/or a right abutment strip by means of controllable rolls; 2) a stacking device which lowers the plates supplied by the aligning device and stacks them one above the other; 3) a connectable paper insertion device which lays paper from a store onto a plate; 4) an upright positioner which rotates the stacked plates by a right angle and aligns them on a vertical aligning device; 5) and a robot gripping arm which grips the glass plates aligned on the upright positioner and transports them away for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Grenzebach Mashinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Strass
  • Patent number: 8205738
    Abstract: A case turner and associated method for rotating conveyed articles. The case turner includes a pair of conveyor belts advancing side by side in a conveying direction. The belts, which are tilted downward toward each other, have rows of article-supporting rollers that can rotate freely on axes parallel to the conveying direction. Each of the belts advances at a different speed so that an article bridging both belts is rotated as it is conveyed along the belt. The speed differential is set to provide a desired degree of rotation for the length of the two belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Publication number: 20120103757
    Abstract: A feeder for a mail-handling machine is provided with a conveyor device having at least one row of drive rollers comprising at least first and second drive rollers standing proud through a mailpiece-receiving deck of the feeder and controlled by a suitable drive mechanism, said first and second drive rollers being inclined at an angle a relative to a perpendicular to a longitudinal referencing wall, and the second drive roller being driven in rotation with a first predetermined delay relative to the first drive roller, which is the closer to the referencing wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: NEOPOST TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Yannick CLARIS
  • Patent number: 8157084
    Abstract: The method relates to products such as bottles whose horizontal cross section of contact is oval and which are conveyed in the longitudinal direction, in single file and spaced apart, on a conveyor. The method includes introducing the bottles one by one into a neck, at the downstream end of which motorized rollers are disposed, applying the rollers to the opposite faces of each bottle to be orientated, providing the passive roller with a peripheral speed equal to the speed of conveyance of the bottles and providing the active roller with a higher peripheral speed to position the bottle diagonally on the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Michel Begin, Sebastien Guelaud
  • Patent number: 8127915
    Abstract: A system for separating a cluster of interconnected food products is disclosed. The system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a suction subsystem, and a sensor. The first conveyor includes a discharge end and a first permeable conveyor belt. The second conveyor, in series with the first conveyor, includes an intake end and a second permeable conveyor belt. The first and second conveyors are configured to independently accelerate and decelerate. The suction subsystem, which includes an intake portion proximate to the discharge end and the intake end, is configured, arranged and disposed to generate suction through the first permeable conveyor belt at a first region proximate to the discharge end and through the second permeable conveyor belt at a second region proximate to the intake end. The sensor is configured, arranged and disposed to sense a leading edge of the cluster as the cluster is conveyed by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Martin's Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest J. Alleman, Ray E. Martin, Roger L. Henneberger, Kevin J. Allen
  • Patent number: 8100253
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring an article from a first carrier moving at a first speed to a second carrier moving at a second speed is provided. The apparatus comprises a support member comprising a track comprising an arcuate portion, and a carrier member configured to be moved relative to the track. The carrier member comprises a surface configured to receive the article from the first carrier in a receiving zone and deposit the article onto the second carrier in an application zone, an aperture in the surface, and a passage in fluid communication with the aperture. The apparatus further comprises a vacuum manifold in fluid communication with the passage. The carrier member is configured to be moved relative to the vacuum manifold. The apparatus also comprises a linear motor operably engaged with the carrier member and configured to move the carrier member relative to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Bradley Edward Walsh
  • Patent number: 8061503
    Abstract: The system comprises a first conveyor and singularization line for fruit and vegetable products defined within a V-slot made in a body and presenting two first motorised belts installed on opposite walls which define the slot near the bottom of the slot and two motorised belts installed on each of said walls on a higher level than said first belts; said first belts presenting a different speed from that of said second belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Unitec S.p.A.
    Inventor: Riccardo Ancarani
  • Patent number: 7950518
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for aligning at least one voucher (12 to 18). The apparatus has first and second transport elements (24 to 52, 224 to 252) for transporting the voucher (12 to 18) on a transport plane (10) of a transport path. At least one first rotating transport element (38 to 52, 238 to 252) generates a driving force acting on the voucher (12 to 18) obliquely to the center axis (20) lying on the transport plane (10) of the transport path. At least one second rotating transport element (24 to 36, 224 to 296) generates a driving force acting on the voucher (12 to 18) parallel to the center axis (20). At least one first drive unit (304, 306, 313 to 322b) moves the first rotating transport element (38 to 52, 238 to 252) at least to the transport plane (10). At least one second drive unit (304, 306, 313 to 322) moves the second rotating transport element (24 to 36) at least to the transport plane (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Fehrenbach, Ulrich Nottelmann
  • Patent number: 7938247
    Abstract: A virtual lug loader includes a lug loader for loading workpieces in a flow direction into the spaced apart lugs on a lugged conveyor, wherein the workpieces are transversely oriented relative to the flow direction. The lug loader includes an array of pairs of endless conveyors for conveying the workpieces downstream, wherein each pair of endless conveyors in the array include first and second endless conveyors. The first and second endless conveyors are spaced laterally apart across the flow direction. Each are aligned substantially in the flow direction. The array forms a continuous upper surface in the flow direction for supporting the workpieces translating downstream in the flow direction. Each pair of endless conveyors in the array overlap adjacent pairs of endless conveyors in the array. At least one pair of endless conveyors in the array include independently actuable first and second drives independently driving their corresponding first and second endless conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: USNR/Kockums Cancar Company
    Inventors: Darryl Kujat, Douglas Foster, Darren Ross
  • Patent number: 7896150
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the likelihood of an article becoming jammed in a conveyor system. The width of an article, like luggage, may be detected and the article rotated if the width is greater than a threshold value. A jammed article in the conveyance system may be detected, and repositioned by a positioner, to clear the jam. Spacing between articles in the conveyor system may also be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: L-3 Communications, Security Detection Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Smalley, Paul Green
  • Patent number: 7845636
    Abstract: A device for spatially orienting blanks having a length in a transport direction has at least one stop roll body rotatable about a rotation axis and having at least one stop element, and a driver transport system for driving the blanks relative to the stop roll body. The driver transport system has at least one driver roller that pushes the blanks against the driver transport system, and at least one roll body roller that pushes the blanks against the stop roll body, wherein the roll body roller is prestressed in contact with the stop roll body. The driver transport system is a transport belt system having at least one endlessly revolving transport belt. The driver roller is mounted such that path spacing between the roll body roller and the driver roller are set to the length of the blanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Winkler + Duennebier AG
    Inventors: Nikolaus Isaak, Reiner Schönberger, Carsten Schrader
  • Patent number: 7837023
    Abstract: A device (10) for orienting tubular cores made of card for supporting rolls of toilet or kitchen paper includes elements for imparting an angular movement to each long item (11) in such a way that it is fed out of the device at a suitable angle. The elements for the angular orientation of the item (11) are designed to cause the item to be fed forward while keeping it substantially-transversal to the direction of feed and include first mobile members (12) for feeding a corresponding portion of the item (11) and extending along a respective path, which has a curved section (12a) , and second mobile members (14) for feeding a second portion of the item (11) and extending along a respective path having a curved section (14a) which is concentric with and radially inside the curved section (12a) of the first mobile feed members (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Pulsar S.r.l.
    Inventor: Massimo Franzaroli
  • Patent number: 7798308
    Abstract: An assembly for rotating a selected article in a stream of like articles without rotating an adjacent article, each of the articles moving along a conveying surface of a conveyor belt with a speed of forward travel and comprising an axis which is normal to the conveying surface. The assembly comprises a mechanism for revolving the selected article around the axis without changing between the axis of the revolving selected article and the axis of the non-revolving adjacent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sidel (Canada) Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Ranger