Having Oblique Or Orbital Movement Patents (Class 198/430)
  • Patent number: 11511947
    Abstract: An overhead sweep rejecter (16) removes an object from a conveyor belt of a conveyor line. The rejecter has a kicker portion (22) that suspended for limited rotation about a pivot axis (40) from the housing. When a horizontal impulse is applied to the kicker portion by a rod (52), the limited rotation converts the impulse into a combination of vertical and horizontal impulses on the object, as would be provided by a pendulum. However, a contacting plate (34) on the kicker portion is pinned at a lower end (64) to a pair of guide rails (30) so that a vertical separation of the lower end remains at a constant vertical separation above the conveyor belt during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Mettler-Toledo, LLC
    Inventor: Michal Kania
  • Patent number: 11377306
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for grouping containers, comprising: a first conveyor belt for transporting the containers in a first transport direction; a second conveyor belt; a container receiving device; a transfer device, which is designed to transfer at least some of the containers from the first conveyor belt to the second conveyor belt transversely to the first transport direction and to transfer at least some of the containers transferred to the second conveyor belt to the container receiving device transversely to the first transport direction; and a motor device, in particular a long stator motor device, which is designed to move the transfer device for transferring a container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Konrad Senn, Andreas Roithmeier, Helmut Schuesslburner
  • Patent number: 11261034
    Abstract: A transport device having a plate; a conveyor to transport articles; a pusher to push and move a row of articles on the conveyor onto the plate; and a stopper to prevent the articles from being moved by the conveyor and to define the start of a row of articles being moved onto the plate by the pusher. The conveyor causes the positions of rows of articles stopped by the stopper to move alternately so that the positions of rows of articles moved onto the plate are shifted alternately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: AZBIL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidenobu Tochigi
  • Patent number: 10899557
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for transferring products, which includes a delivery unit for delivering said products, which moves them one behind the other in a feed direction, and, on the other hand, an output conveyor, extending from the delivery unit, transversely to the delivery direction. This device further includes a rotary tool that rotates about a rotation axis, this tool having collectors distributed radially about the axis and being movable parallel to the delivery direction, such that the rotation of the tool causes each successive collector to release a group of products from the delivery means to the outlet conveyor. Also disclosed is a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: SIDEL PACKING SOLUTIONS
    Inventors: Damien Cirette, Dominique Rabec
  • Patent number: 10828734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic spring fastener assembly machine, including a rack and a power control box, and the rack is provided with a circulating conveying device, and a rubber casing feeding device, a fastener feeding device and a spring loading device which are in turn arranged around the circulating conveying device. The rubber casing feeding device includes a rubber casing vibration tray disposed to the left front side of the circulating conveying device, and the rubber casing feeding vibration tray is connected with a rubber casing distributing block through the rubber casing conveying track. The upper side of the circulating conveying device is provided with a rubber casing transportation manipulator, and the right front side thereof is provided with a rubber casing clamping device located below the rubber casing transportation manipulator, and a fastener pushing in device fitting the circulating conveying device is disposed under the rubber casing clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: DONGGUAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chuan Li, Yun Bai
  • Patent number: 10549924
    Abstract: An article metering assembly for forming of an article group from a downstream most end portion of a bulk flow of conveyed articles is generally provided. The assembly, in one embodiment, is characterized by a robotic arm, a linkage assembly, and an end effector operatively united with the robotic arm and the linkage assembly such that the end effector is fixedly orientated relative to and overhead of the bulk flow of articles throughout a robotic arm motion cycle. Alternately, the assembly is characterized by a robotic arm in operative combination with an end effector, the end effector selectively oriented in relation to articles of a bulk flow of article during travel about its travel path in furtherance of forming an article group from above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Douglas Machine Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhang, Richard W. Lukanen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10196160
    Abstract: A packaging machine for packaging articles into cartons includes a first conveyor for conveying cartons along a carton stream, a second conveyor for conveying first article groups adjacent to the carton stream, a third conveyor for conveying divider pads adjacent to the carton stream, and a fourth conveyor for conveying second article groups adjacent to the carton stream. A first lateral transfer mechanism transfers the first article groups transversely into cartons within the carton stream. A second lateral transfer mechanism transfers the divider pads transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto said first article groups contained therein. A third lateral transfer mechanism transfers the second article groups transversely into the cartons within the carton stream and onto the divider pads contained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: WestRock Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Gerard Louret
  • Patent number: 9580255
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wire buffer device. The wire buffer device comprises: a frame; and multiple of support layers provided to the frame and arranged in layers. Each of the support layers includes multiple sections of wires that support a substrate. The multiple sections of wires are in the form of at least one integrated wire. The wire buffer device further includes at least one transmission structure. Said at least one transmission structure drives each of said at least one integrated wire to perform a reciprocating motion so that at least a part of each of said at least one integrated wire moves into or moves out from the frame. For the wire buffer device, work operability is improved, and secondary contamination to the device is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fengming Xue, Chongxi Wei, Guanjun Li
  • Patent number: 9415523
    Abstract: An automated system and method for continuously feeding articles onto a moving conveyor belt are described. The automated system includes a plurality of partitions forming the conveyor belt; a controllable drive configured to continuously advance the conveyor belt; at least one gripping element configured to controllably grip and lift the articles, and at least one divider bridge configured to sustain a linear movement of the gripping element along the divider bridge, at a predetermined angle relatively to the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Moshe Agami
  • Patent number: 9222826
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for weighing elongate containers (5) supplied along a conveyor line (4) comprises: weighing means (2); a support member (6) suitable for restingly receiving at least a container (5); a first articulated system (7) and a second articulated system (12); the apparatus (1) being configured such as to impart, by means of the first articulated system (7) and the second articulated system (12), a translating and rotating motion to the support member (6) such as to transfer the containers (5) from a first position (K1), in which the support member (6) is arranged at the conveyor line (4) such as to receive therefrom the containers (5) to be weighed, and a second position (K2) in which the support member (6) engages with the weighing means (2) such as to enable the containers (5) to be weighed in an inclined position, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industrial Macchine Automatiche S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Cavina
  • Patent number: 9156722
    Abstract: A device for exchanging and for preventing the bending of the pushing-in bar (27) having two pivoting arms (15) which are pivotably mounted on a support (9) and can be pivoted by a drive pinion (21). Supporting legs (25) which support the pushing-in bar (27) are fastened to the pivoting levers with the aid of a fastening element (29). One of the fastening elements (29) is fixedly connected to one of the supporting legs (25); the second fastening element (29) carries the pushing-in bar (27) without securing it in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Inmara AG
    Inventors: Werner Sidler, Philipp Stauch
  • Patent number: 9132970
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for grouping together products that arrive in line and are spaced apart from each other on an infeed conveyor (2), consisting of: collecting the products on the fly by means of a pair of collectors (4) that move transversely relative to the products on said conveyor (2); moving the products collected by collector (4A) to a removal station (11) and, at the same time, replacing said collector (4A) with the second collector (4B) that, in turn, collects the products; and dropping off the products from collector (4A) to the removal station (11) and bringing said collector (4A) back to a collecting position while intersecting collector (4B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: C.E.R.M.E.X. CONSTRUCTIONS ETUDES ET RECHERCHES DE MATERIELS POUR L'EMBALLAGE D'EXPEDITION
    Inventors: Guillaume Duchemin, Didier Mougin, David Gatos, Thierry Garnier
  • Patent number: 8973735
    Abstract: A transfer mechanism for transferring items between one or more input streams and one or more output streams is disclosed. The transfer mechanism comprises a turret, an arm extending from the turret, and a carrier mechanism engaged with the arm. The carrier mechanism comprises a base and a plurality of rods extending from the base. At least one of the rods is movable relative to at least one other rod. The rods are configured to engage void areas in the items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Matthew Bernard Overley, André Mellin, Wesley Bernard Brokopp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8973734
    Abstract: A device for aligning and transferring articles including: a counter 3 for aligning, at a gathering position P, an article set W composed of a predetermined number of uncompressed articles; a discharger 4 for discharging the article set W aligned at the gathering position P to a receiving position P0; and at least one transfer bed for supporting a bottom surface of the article set W and reciprocating between the receiving position P0 and a hand-over position P1, P2, thereby receiving the article set W at the receiving position P0, transferring the article set W to the hand-over position P1, P2, and returning to the receiving position P0. The transfer bed L1, R1 and the second support section 20 for compressing the article set W are driven by first and second motors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Zuiko Corporation
    Inventor: Yukihiko Fujita
  • Patent number: 8789680
    Abstract: A device for pushing glass objects onto a conveyor belt includes a pusher (5), which is supported on a crank arm (6) in such a way that it can be swiveled about an axis (7), which crank arm is in driving engagement with a first electric motor (1) by means of a shaft (12). A second electric motor (2) is in driving engagement with a sleeve (20) by means of a cantilever (18), in which sleeve the shaft (12) is mounted, wherein the shaft (12) can be swiveled about a central stationary axis (19). A third electric motor (3) is arranged to rotate the pusher about the axis (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Heye International GmbH
    Inventors: Benedikt Felgenhauer, Matthias Hubner
  • Patent number: 8720667
    Abstract: A product bag unloading apparatus in which two product bags (3, 4) arranged in a single row in the bag width direction are conveyed on a carry-out conveyor (5) in a single-row arrangement, with their length direction oriented in the conveyor's conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first chuck (11) for gripping one product bag (3), a second chuck (12) for gripping the other product bag (4), a pivot arm (17) pivoting through 90 degrees about a fulcrum shaft (16) with the first chuck (11) rotatably provided at a free end thereof, and a chuck translation mechanism (parallel linkage mechanism) (14) maintaining the first chuck (11) in a constant orientation at all times when the first chuck (11) is moved between a bag receiving position and a bag release position by the pivot motion of the pivot arm (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoichi Koga
  • Patent number: 8631926
    Abstract: A device having a pusher for pushing glass objects from a resting plate to a conveyor belt moving at a uniform speed. The device has first, second and third electric motors, the first motor mounted to be stationary, and the second and third motors being moveable relative to the first motor. The three motors are connected to the pusher via various transmission parts and controlled independently for controlling the motion of the pusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Heye International GmbH
    Inventors: Benedikt Felgenhauer, Matthias Hubner
  • Patent number: 8607963
    Abstract: A conveyor installation comprises carrier bags for material to be transported, wherein the carrier bags are suspended from carrier dogs which are moved in a transport rail in a transport direction. At a loading and unloading station, the carrier bags are rotatable from their transport position, which is transverse to the transport direction, into a position which points in the transport direction, wherein an upper loading opening is opened at the same time. Backwards rotation of the carrier bags is caused by the force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Duerkopp Foerdertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wend, Paul Janzen
  • Patent number: 8584828
    Abstract: Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42) in the form of a thin piece of flexible material. The transfer device (42) is movable between retracted and extended positions extending over a sweep conveyor (22) by securing its trailing and leading ends to flexible belts (106) on opposite longitudinal sides of the sweep conveyor (22). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) and by a sweep bar (62a) which collects the product on the sweep conveyor (22). The metering and sweep bars (52ba, 62a) move independently in the same direction along the same endless path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Douglas Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn P. Pundsack, Timothy D. Wilts
  • Patent number: 8583279
    Abstract: A method and device for handling flat objects, in particular flat folded diapers (10), which are fed to a conveyor with receptacles for each object or for each diaper (10) by way of a feeder (13, 14), in particular to a compartment conveyor (17) comprising separation struts (22) which are arranged so as to protrude radially from a continuous conveyor (21) in order to form compartments (23) for each object. Provision is made for the speed (v) at which the objects are transported on the feeder (13, 14) to be reduced for handover of the objects to the conveyor. The device includes a database in which respective data records containing transport speeds (vx) for a control unit (34) being filed for different objects and/or objects of different size, the speed of the feeders (13, 14) being regulated by the control unit (34) in accordance with the transport speed (v) pertaining to the respective object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Focke & Co. (GmbH & Co. KG)
    Inventor: Heino Fecht
  • Patent number: 8496102
    Abstract: A method and device for collecting bodies, which are delivered in an irregular sequence, on a collecting belt, with the following features: a) the bodies which are delivered are moved more rapidly than predetermined by the running speed of the collecting belt (7), b) a pimpled belt (8) having ridges (12) is located in the end region of the collecting belt (7) and can be raised over the upper edge of the collecting belt (7) by means of a lifting device (5), c) the pimpled belt (8) is raised and accelerated as a function of being completely covered with bodies, and also a control program for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Schäferling
  • Patent number: 8485342
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for collecting products (2) arriving in line on a conveyor (1), using a collector device (4) provided transversally relative to the advancement direction. The collector (4) deposits and drops the products collected at a take-up station (10) located on the side of said supply conveyor (1) the collector (4) is capable of a loop movement that can divided into a transverse movement combined with a longitudinal movement upwards of the queue, i.e. a movement opposite to that of the product supply conveyor. The equipment for implementing the method includes a table (3) provided at and along the conveyor (1), a collector (4) carried by an appropriate structure for longitudinal and transverse movement above said conveyor (1) and said table (3). The table (3) includes two panels (31, 32) extending on either side of the supply conveyor (1) for depositing and dropping the products collected on either side of the conveyor (1) at the edge thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Didier Mougin, Michel Begin, Guillaume Duchemin, Christophe Poupon
  • Patent number: 8413790
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synchronizing, and a transfer device for synchronizing, a movement pattern between two units in a packaging line, wherein one unit is intermittently operated and the second unit is continuously operated. The invention is particularly intended for a transfer device between an intermittently operated filler unit and a continuously operated cartoning machine. The transfer device is provided with a frame (13) arranged to support tube pickers-/placers (28) and is arranged to perform a simultaneous pivoting movement about a first and a second shaft (16, 31), and for rotation about a third shaft (48) at right angles to the second shaft (31). The frame is further provided with means for adjusting the spacing between the tubes and means for compensating for differences in vertical position during the rotating movement in the case where the containers picked from the part circular conveyor of the filling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Norden Machinery AB
    Inventor: Jan Nilsson
  • Patent number: 8381898
    Abstract: An apparatus for pushing hollow glass articles from a depositing plate of an IS glass molding machine onto a belt conveyor comprises a transfer pusher (11), one end of which is rigidly connected to a vertical shaft (10) and the other end of which carries an arrangement of pushing fingers for the glass articles. The shaft (10) is supported in a rotary table (6) and functionally connected to a first rotary drive (13) carried by the rotary table while the rotary plate (6) is mounted on a bell-shaped bearing (24) supported on a console (1) by means of a hollow shaft (22), namely such that it is functionally connected to a second rotary drive (15?). An approximately exponential transfer curve of the pushing fingers that begins at the depositing plate and ends on the belt conveyor and subjects the hollow glass articles to the least possible stress can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Heye International GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Winkelhake, Matthias HĂ¼bner, Benedikt Felgenhauer
  • Patent number: 8322514
    Abstract: An article configuration system comprising a first conveyor (90) for transferring articles (B) from an input and a second conveyor (88), disposed at a non-linear angle relative to the first conveyor, for transferring articles to an output. The article processing system comprises a mechanism (30) for transferring articles from the first conveyor (90) to the second conveyor (88). The mechanism (30) is structured and arranged to facilitate the reorganization of articles conveyed by the first conveyor such that when transferred to the second conveyor the articles are disposed in adjacent metered lanes (124a-124f) and wherein the number of adjacent metered lanes of articles conveyed by the second conveyor (88) is greater than the number of adjacent lanes of articles (100, 102) conveyed by the first conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Meadwestvaco Packaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Bonnain, Pascal Martini
  • Patent number: 8257011
    Abstract: In an item-handling device, a layer head includes an item layer building platform defining an item receiving plane, the layer building platform being vertically positionable. A puller bar mounts to the layer head and moves in relation thereto within a plane above the item-receiving plane. The puller bar is positionable between a retracted position above the layer building platform and an extended position offset from the layer building platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Top Tier, Inc.
    Inventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
  • Patent number: 8167113
    Abstract: The method consists in collecting products (2) that are arriving spaced and in line on a conveyor (1). This collection is carried out by means of a collector device (40), in the form of a comb, arranged transversally, forming an angle between 60 and 120° in relation to the product advancement direction (2). The collector (40) deposits and drops the collected products at a take-up station which is located on the side of said supply conveyor (1); it is capable of a loop movement that can be divided, for the collecting of said products, into a transversal movement combined with a longitudinal movement upwards of the vial queue. The installation for the implementation of the method comprises a table (3) arranged at the level of and along the conveyor (1), a collector (40) carried by an appropriate structure in order to be displaced longitudinally and transversally above said conveyor (1) and said table (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Didier Mougin, Michel Begin, Guillaume Duchemin, Christophe Poupon
  • Patent number: 7975603
    Abstract: A food processing system includes sweep belt transfer of food product from a conveyor to a food processor such as a cooker or chiller. The conveyor may include upstream conveyance around a turn having a moving fence. The system may include an upstream conveyor to conveyor transfer from a widening gap upper conveyor to a lower conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak-MP Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Andi J. Mikelsons, Noel R. Johnson, Dennis F. Conohan, Wendell J. Holl, Richard J. Jozwiak
  • Patent number: 7930902
    Abstract: A pusher mechanism for pushing bottles formed in an I.S. machine from a dead plate to a conveyor. The pusher mechanism includes a pusher finger assembly which is supported by a housing and is movable about an axis of support and about the parallel axis of rotation of the housing. A pair of servo motors effect the desired rotation of the two axes through cam profiles each of which has at least one Bezier curve segment with a parameter of one curve linked to a parameter of the other curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventors: Jonathan S. Simon, William P. Jacobsen
  • Patent number: 7815034
    Abstract: A device for grouping individually packaged goods which are fed in a substantially closed stream by the means of conveyance along a transport plane, and grouped by at least one divider finger which can be introduced from below transversely to the transport plane into the stream along the conveyance direction, where, for the at least one divider finger, a motor drive provided which is capable of carrying out in a free and adjustable manner a movement of the at least one divider finger transversely to the transport plane (z-direction) independently of the movement along the conveyance direction (y-direction) and vise versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Norbert Fleck, Bernhard Schmid
  • Patent number: 7736120
    Abstract: In an item-handling device, a layer head includes an item layer building platform defining an item receiving plane, the layer building platform being vertically positionable. A puller bar mounts to the layer head and moves in relation thereto within a plane above the item-receiving plane. The puller bar is positionable between a retracted position above the layer building platform and an extended position offset from the layer building platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Toptier, Inc.
    Inventors: Cary Michael Pierson, Stephen L. Heston
  • Patent number: 7681711
    Abstract: A push device, for transferring glass articles from an intermediate supporting plate to an unloading conveyor, has at least one seat for housing an article and which is bounded by at least two flat supporting surfaces converging with each other and forming between them an angle of over 90°; the article being retained close to a convergence area of the flat supporting surfaces by a circuit for feeding compressed air between the flat supporting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Bottero S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianclaudio Borsarelli, Paolo Gianti, Carlo Sesia, Bruno Viada
  • Patent number: 7654381
    Abstract: An indexing conveyor 1 travels at (90) degrees to a wrapping output conveyor (2), which conveys elongate packs (3) of circular biscuits at high speed with their diameter-ends leading. The indexing conveyor 1 receives the packs (3) and conveys them in an orthogonal direction, with their long-dimensions leading. The indexing conveyor (1) has a regular series of V-section lugs (11), which receive and center the packs (3) and can accommodate a range of diameters of circular packs (3) while maintaining a constant pitch. A pair of lifting bars (12) lifts a group (31) of packs (3) at a time during the dwell period of the index of the (10) conveyor (1). The packs (3) of each group (31) are moved together during the lift so that they are touching, to ensure that a robotic pick-and-place system can pick up the group (31) reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Quin Systems Limited
    Inventor: Michael Webb
  • Patent number: 7490711
    Abstract: A method for accepting a first number m1 of objects, more particularly pharmaceutical products, from a supplying device and for transferring a second number m2 of objects to a receiving device, and also a device for carrying out such a method, where prior to the transferal of the second number m2 of objects the objects are allowed to accumulate or are stored in a maximum amount equal to from one to ten times the second number m2 and preferably in a maximum amount equal to from three to five times the second number m, and accepting, in-process monitoring, temporary storage, and transfer of objects are carried out within a specified radius about a pivot axis, which radius does not exceed from one to fifteen times the greatest width of the objects and preferably does not exceed from four to six times the greatest width of the objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignees: Gruenenthal GmbH, Harro Hoefliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Schateikis, Markus Bohn
  • Patent number: 7426990
    Abstract: A pusher mechanism for pushing bottles formed in an I.S. machine from a dead plate to a conveyor. The pusher mechanism includes a pusher finger assembly which is supported by a housing and is movable about an axis of support and about the parallel axis of rotation of the housing. The axis of the two drive gears for effecting these rotations are coaxial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Jarmo Kammonen
  • Patent number: 7392630
    Abstract: A packaging system utilizes two sides of a loading carousel, which reduces both the height and footprint of the packaging system. Mass and inertia are also reduced, allowing higher operational speeds. The loading carousel receives opened cartons on a first side and lowers them over product groups on a second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin P. Ford
  • Patent number: 7325668
    Abstract: In a transfer unit for transferring glass articles from a supporting surface to a carry-off conveyor, a pickup member, for engaging the articles for transfer, is moved between a pickup position and a release position by an actuating device having a single articulated arm, and two electric motors activated independently to move the pickup member with respect to the articulated arm, and to move different portions of the articulated arm with respect to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Bottero S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianclaudio Borsarelli, Paolo Gianti, Carlo Sesia, Bruno Viada
  • Patent number: 7278529
    Abstract: A method and device for transferring glass articles from an intermediate supporting plate to an unloading conveyor, wherein the article to be transferred is positioned and retained inside a seat on a movable member by feeding compressed air through the movable member; the compressed air being fed in close to an edge of a dihedron formed by two plates of the movable member, and being oriented upwards towards the article to divide the incoming compressed air into two lateral streams laterally and at least partly surrounding the article, and into an upward-directed rear stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Bottero S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianclaudio Borsarelli, Carlo Sesia, Bruno Viada
  • Patent number: 7264108
    Abstract: A transfer unit for transferring glass articles from a supporting surface to a carry-off conveyor, the transfer unit includes a pickup member for engaging the articles for transfer and is hinged to one end of an actuating arm to rotate with respect to the actuating arm about a movable hinge axis under the control of a control unit for adjusting the position of the pickup member independently of the position of the actuating arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Bottero S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianclaudio Borsarelli, Paolo Gianti, Carlo Sesia, Bruno Viada
  • Patent number: 7220094
    Abstract: A transfer device for transferring stacks (4, 4a, 4b, 5, 5a, 5b), which have a cylindrical external shape, of products resting on one of their edges between a conveyor (1) set upstream for advance of the stacks (4, 4a, 4b, 5, 5a, 5b) in a direction (a) transverse to the generatrices of the aforesaid cylindrical shape, and a conveyor (2) set downstream for advance of the stacks In a direction parallel to said generatrices, or vice versa, the said transfer device being operatively set between said conveyor (1) set upstream and said conveyor (2) set downstream. The transfer device comprises at least one gripping assembly (3) for picking up and conveying a stack. Said gripping assembly (3) moreover turns, according to a motion of revolution. (C) about a first axis (X), between a position in which it engages a stack (4, 4a, 4b, 5, 5a, 5b), in a position (A) corresponding to an output end of the conveyor (1) set upstream, and a position (B) in which it releases the stack onto the conveyor (2) set downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: La Centrale & Partners S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuliano Cerutti, Pierre Menegaldo, Filippo Barberis-Organista
  • Patent number: 7131524
    Abstract: An apparatus for transferring rod-shaped articles from a longitudinal conveyor transporting the articles in a longitudinal axial direction onto a transverse conveyor transporting the articles in a transverse axial direction, in which the directions of transport of the longitudinal conveyor and the transverse conveyor are oriented transversely to each other. The apparatus includes a conveying device having receptacles, and the receptacles are structured and arranged to receive a plurality of articles transported adjacent each other on a track of the longitudinal conveyor and to discharge the articles as a plurality of groups of articles onto different tracks of the transverse conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventor: Cord Wohltmann
  • Patent number: 7070384
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for unloading and binding brick or other components include an infeed conveyor that delivers layers of brick to a transfer distribution carriage. The distribution carriage repositions the brick layers on either an outfeed conveyor or a tine conveyor. The layers of bricks carried by the outfeed conveyor are moved to where a tine layer is positioned on their upper surface. The tine conveyor divides the bricks into an arrangement of rows spaced apart to define openings for receiving a lifting or moving member, so that when the tine layer is positioned in a completed stack, enables movement of the stack by a forklift or other suitable moving means. Additional layer or layers are then positioned on the tine row on a packaging conveyor so that completed stacks are delivered to a package station that binds the stack of bricks or other components into an integrated structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: General Shale Products, LLC
    Inventor: Robert W. Keyes
  • Patent number: 7070039
    Abstract: An apparatus for the transfer of rod-shaped articles from a longitudinal conveyor that longitudinal axially conveys the articles onto a transverse conveyor that transverse axial conveys the articles transversely to their axes, a direction of transport of the longitudinal conveyor and the transverse conveyor being transverse to each other. The apparatus includes a conveyor having receptacles structured to receive articles from the longitudinal conveyor and to discharge the received articles onto the transverse conveyor. Moreover, the conveyor is structured and arranged to receive at least two pairs of articles, which are delivered to the conveyor on separate tracks of the longitudinal conveyor. Additionally, the conveyor is further structured and arranged to discharge the pairs of articles to two separate tracks of the transverse conveyor. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventor: Manfred Dombek
  • Patent number: 7051861
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting articles includes a first transporter (e.g. a conveyor) for transporting articles in a line and a member that separates the articles in the line into groups and also removes the groups from the line while the articles continue to be transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale D. Stephens, Duane Petersen
  • Patent number: 6948608
    Abstract: A method for transferring blister packs to a step-less moving feeding line of a packaging machine, according to which a gripping member of a three-axes robot device picks up at least one group of blister packs from an outlet line of a blistering machine. The robot device moves in a direction as the outlet line, so as to follow the movement thereof. The group of blister packs is transferred to the feeding line, following the movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Marchesini Group SpA
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 6808061
    Abstract: Products are to be discharged at a discharge station from a compartmentalized conveyor (3) having laterally open compartments (7) formed between parallel intermediate walls (5) for accommodating the laterally projecting products (1). To push plural products out of the conveyor compartments, a pushing device (12) is moved out of a starting position in a running direction parallel to the conveying direction of the conveyor (3), and simultaneously is moved in a pushing direction perpendicular to the conveying direction by means of a crank drive via a connecting rod, and then is moved back into the starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Winkler + Duennebier AG
    Inventor: Martin Dennert
  • Patent number: 6712196
    Abstract: An empty bag supplying apparatus used in a continuous conveying type bag-filling packaging machine in which the empty bag supplying apparatus receives empty bags and transfers these empty bags to gripper pairs of the bag-filling packaging machine that are moved continuously at a constant speed. The empty bag supplying apparatus includes downward-facing bag holding members and a reciprocating movement mechanism. The bag holding members hold the upper portions of bags. The reciprocating movement mechanism causes the bag holding members to reciprocate along an arc-shaped path and keeps the empty bags held by the holding members to be parallel to the direction of movement of the gripper pairs during the reciprocating motion. In a bag transfer region established in the arc-shaped path path, the speed of the bag holding members holding the empty bags is equal to the moving speed of the gripper pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Toyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Iwao Ikemoto, Shoichi Koga
  • Publication number: 20030234157
    Abstract: A robotic loading cell for plastic utensils is characterized by a synchronized supply conveyor and gripping mechanism for packaging individual utensils from an integrally molded group or rack of utensils. The gripping device is operable to remove a plurality of individually stacked utensils from the integral racks. A robotic transfer mechanism connected with the gripping device transfers the utensils to a packaging assembly. Operation of the conveyor, gripper and robotic transfer device is coordinated through a programmed controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Flexicell Inc.
    Inventor: Johannes J.M. de Koning
  • Patent number: 6647867
    Abstract: A pasteurizer (1) comprising an endless circulating transport conveyor (3) guided around deflection rolls (7, 8) and used for transporting through the pasteurizer (1) the products (18) to be pasteurized, and having a feed conveyor (5) and/or a discharge conveyor (9) oriented essentially transversely to the conveying direction of the transport conveyor (3) and having a smaller width than the transport conveyor (3), feed conveyor (5) and/or discharge conveyor to and away from the respective end face of the transport conveyor (3), and a transfer surface (4, 19) for bridging a distance between the conveying surface(s) of the feed conveyor (5) and/or of the discharge conveyor (9) and the conveying surface of the transport conveyor (3). The feed conveyor (5) and/or the discharge conveyor (9) is arranged so close to the respective end face of the transport conveyor (3) that the lateral boundary (K) thereof, which face the transport conveyor (3), is arranged above the contour of the respective deflection roll (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sander Hansen A/S
    Inventor: Peter Ahlberg
  • Patent number: 6612095
    Abstract: A pick-up member for use with an apparatus for transporting a container from a pick-up station to a deposit station. The pick-up member being substantially formed of plastic and includes a bell-shaped head having a longitudinal bore for receiving containers and transverse bores intersecting the longitudinal bore and causing transverse movement engaging members for engaging with the containers. A control mechanism is provided to control the position of the engaging members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Patterson Hartness