By Means To Vary The Effective Length Of The System Patents (Class 198/594)
  • Patent number: 11877589
    Abstract: A donut icer or icing system is disclosed herein. The icing system is surprisingly more efficient than known methods of applying frosting to baked or fried goods, specifically, donuts. The increase in efficiency over known methods is accomplished generally through use of a plurality of conveyor belts, an icing bath, and a flip shaft assembly that allows frosted goods or donuts to flip icing side up before discharge from the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventor: Joe Tavares
  • Patent number: 11865570
    Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable flow divider situated in the particulate material path of a spinner spreader between the bin and the rotatable disc divides the particulate material so that the particulate material is dischargeable on to the upper surface of the rotatable disc on first and second laterally spaced apart longitudinally oriented drop lines. An actuator operably connected to the flow divider adjusts a longitudinal position of the flow divider to longitudinally adjust drop points on the drop lines at which the particulate material is dischargeable on to the rotatable disc. Longitudinal adjustment of the drop points along laterally spaced apart drop lines on one spinner disc permits control over spread pattern to help achieve uniform distribution of the particulate material on a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Salford Group Inc.
    Inventors: Geof J. Gray, Joshua Scott Fields, Steven Ray Owenby, Richard Hagler, Russell Mcever, Brian Hobson
  • Patent number: 11827455
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly is provided for use with a mobile vehicle. The conveyor assembly includes a conveyor module. The conveyor module includes a first roller assembly. The first roller assembly includes a first rotatable roller body and a second rotatable roller body. The first and second roller bodies are interconnected to each other in such a manner as to share a first rotational axis yet be at least substantially rotationally independent of each other, such that each of the first and second roller bodies can rotate without causing or interfering with rotation of the other of the first and second roller bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua M. Biro, William D. Moore
  • Patent number: 11661289
    Abstract: A transfer device for use with a conveying apparatus for controlling the flow of articles, including a first conveyor and a second conveyor. The transfer device is disposed generally across and movable along the first and second conveyors. The transfer device includes a belt guide attached to the transfer device. The belt guide includes a base configured to attach to an actuating frame of the transfer device and a tension roller that slideably engages with a portion of the base to aid in conveying articles between the first conveyor and second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jimmy D. Whitten, Anthony T. Burns, Jeffrey T. Allison
  • Patent number: 11066253
    Abstract: A container dumping module comprises a frame assembly and a conveyor bed with plurality of rollers supported on the frame assembly. A cradle assembly positioned on the frame assembly. The cradle assembly comprises a pair of lower and upper guide support plates to support a container in a home position, a transit position, and a work position. A drive assembly mechanically coupled to the frame assembly and configured to drive the cradle assembly to one of the home position, the transit position, or the work position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: INTELLIGRATED HEADQUARTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius Scott, Long Ha, Carl Gunter
  • Patent number: 10882695
    Abstract: A load handling system and method of handling a load includes a load handling device with a load support that is configured for engaging a load and a first drive is adapted to drive said load support with respect to a load. A conveyor is moveable along the load support and a second drive is adapted to propel the conveyor with respect to the load support. The first and second drives are operated to handle a load. The load support may be a pair of forks or a platen or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Paul K. Gines, Mark Jarva, Mark D. Yardley, Paul T. Carter
  • Patent number: 10836588
    Abstract: The buffering device serves to temporarily accept products from a product flow in the event of a downstream disruption obstructing the product flow and to deliver the accepted products after the disruption has been eliminated. As conveyor it uses an endless flat top chain, which passes through several loops formed by horizontal deflections in an upper and a lower level. The deflections are arranged in an alternately fixed and horizontally displaceable manner, such that the lengths of the loops are variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ROTZINGER AG
    Inventor: Kurt Philipp
  • Patent number: 9896271
    Abstract: A conveyor accumulator for conveying articles comprises first and second parallel rails, a turnaround wheel, an endless loop conveyor chain, an infeed drive device, and an outfeed drive device. Each of the rails comprises a support surface and a guide surface. The support surfaces slope downward as they extend outboard of the center plane of the accumulator. The turnaround wheel is movable between the guide rails. The conveyor chain is slideable along and supported against gravity by at least the support surfaces of the first and second rails and is prevented from moving outboard by the guide surfaces. The turnaround wheel is configured to move in a manner extending and, alternatively, contracting the path of the portion of the conveyor chain configured to hold articles. The turnaround wheel is configured and adapted to cause the conveyor chain to bank as the conveyor chain extends around the turnaround wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Barry-Wehmiller Container Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dorian F. Steeber
  • Patent number: 9682828
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles and a related transfer device are provided for transferring flow between a first conveyor drivable in a first direction and a second conveyor drivable in a second opposite direction. The first and second conveyors may have at least one curved portion, and a transfer device is movable along the first and second conveyors. The transfer device has a pivotable frame and a movable guide to lengthen a transfer path when in the curved portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Beesley
  • Patent number: 9682827
    Abstract: A conveyor apparatus is provided. The conveyor apparatus includes a rail formed in a closed curve line, a chain conveyor that moves along the rail, a driver that drives the chain conveyor, and a first and a second variable conveyors that relatively vary lengths of at least two portions of the chain conveyor so that a section of the chain conveyor remains in position while other portions of the chain conveyor moving along the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Kim, Tae-gon Kim, Hoon Kim, Hyun-joon Park, Seung-yong Oh, Hyun-hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9315328
    Abstract: An extendable conveyor disclosed herein includes a base unit including a fixed base unit section positionable onto a ground and a mechanically extendable base unit section. The mechanically extendable base unit is adjustably positionable incrementally between a fully nested position within the fixed base unit section and a fully extended position telescoped forwardly from the fixed base unit section. A mechanically extendable conveyor section is coupled to the mechanically extendable base unit section, where the mechanically extendable conveyor section is adjustably positionable incrementally between a fully nested position within the mechanically extendable base unit section and a fully extended position telescoped forwardly from the mechanically extendable base unit section. A conveying surface to convey articles extends at least partially on an upper side of the fixed base unit section, the mechanically extendable base unit section and the mechanically extendable conveyor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: CALJAN RITE-HITE APS
    Inventor: Anders Stougaard Baek, IV
  • Patent number: 9181029
    Abstract: A buffer means and a method for buffering containers, in particular in a container handling apparatus, like for example bottles in a bottle filling apparatus, is described. The buffer means comprises at least a first conveyor track. Furthermore at least a second conveyor track is provided, which is drivable along a second transport direction. The first conveyor track and the second conveyor track are parallel to each other and form a buffer module. A transfer device transfers the containers from an infeed conveyor track onto an outlet conveyor track of the buffer module. By means of a sliding device the required buffer capacity of the buffer means can be set. Between the infeed conveyor track and the outlet conveyor track of a buffer module at least two further drivable transfer conveyors are provided. Thus a closed surface of the buffer module is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Martin Seger, Johann Huettner
  • Patent number: 8955667
    Abstract: A bulk material handling system and method use a horizontal boom frame supporting a conveyor mechanism for bulk material that is slidable relative to the horizontal boom frame. The conveyor mechanism is positioned such that, with bulk material received at a fixed location, or loading axis, on the horizontal boom frame, a portion of the conveyor mechanism will always be positioned to receive bulk material. The horizontal boom frame can also be made rotatable about the loading axis. By rotating the horizontal boom frame and advancing or withdrawing the conveyor mechanism, the discharge point for bulk materials relative to the loading axis can be altered radially and angularly without interrupting the flow of bulk materials through the system. A supply bridge assembly can be employed to bring the bulk materials to the loading axis of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rail-Veyor Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Merton F. Dibble
  • Patent number: 8931623
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accumulation device (4) comprising a first linear conveyor belt (5) and a second linear conveyor belt (6), a third conveyor belt (7) forming a semi-circle and configured for transferring items from the first to the second conveyor belt and translation means (10, 11) of the third belt relative to the first and second belt. The accumulation device comprises two ramp systems (23, 24) attached respectively to the two ends (7a, 7b) of the third belt. The first ramp system (23) deforms the first belt to constitute a first slope ensuring that items rise from the first belt to the third belt. The second ramp system (24) deforms the second belt to constitute a second slope ensuring that items descend from the third belt to the second belt. Displacement of the third conveyor belt at the same time enables displacement of the first and second slopes formed on the first and second belt. The invention also relates to an installation equipped with such an accumulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Hervé Deflandre
  • Patent number: 8864433
    Abstract: A bin sweep comprising a first auger section configured to be movably mounted to a central support framework of a storage bin, and a second auger section operably engaged with the first auger frame such that the second auger section is moveable relative to the first section frame substantially along an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Sudenga Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan G. Hoogestraat, Lyle K. Hollander
  • Patent number: 8851275
    Abstract: A screening examination system for screening and examining paper roll is disclosed to include a first conveyor unit, which comprises a first movable wheel set, a first drive wheel, a first fixed wheel and a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor unit, which comprises a second movable wheel set, a second drive wheel, a second fixed wheel and a second conveyor belt, and an examination unit, which examine test products and adjusts the relative positioning between the first movable wheel set and the second movable wheel set subject to examination result for enabling defective products to fall into the gap between the first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit, accordingly, quality product to be delivered from the first conveyor unit to the second conveyor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Chan Li Machniery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tung-I Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140262689
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for collecting drugs dispensed from drug dispensing boxes. The apparatus includes a main conveyor on which the dispensed drugs are placed and discharged to a first end thereof, and an auxiliary conveyor configured to be hidden at a lower portion of the first end of the main conveyor or to be expanded outside of the first end so as to increase a discharging path of the dispensed drugs. Due to the auxiliary conveyor, when the drugs are discharged or are redelivered to another apparatus, it is possible to control the drugs to fall down to a desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: JVM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Ho KIM
  • Patent number: 8833546
    Abstract: A web product sorting machine includes a first conveyor unit, a second conveyor unit set adjacent to the first conveyor unit, and a screening unit. A gap is defined between the first conveyor unit and the second conveyor unit. The first conveyor unit is adapted for delivering web products and tail wastes and for enabling web products to be sent to the second conveyor unit. The screening unit is set above the first conveyor unit for screening the web products and the tail wastes to cause each passed tail waste to fall onto the first conveyor unit from a standing position and then to fall out of the first conveyor unit through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Chan Li Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tung-I Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140216897
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly (26) includes a first frame (50) supporting a first conveyor (28) for feeding material in a first conveying direction. The conveyor assembly (26) also includes a second frame (60) supporting a second conveyor (30) for feeding material in a second conveying direction parallel to the first conveying direction. The second frame (60) is movable with respect to the first frame (50) along the second conveying direction between a retracted position and an extended position. A side shield (70) is connected to a side of the second frame (60) and shields the second conveyor (30) laterally. An elongate, flexible seal (94) is mounted to the side shield (70), the flexible seal (94) bridging a gap between the side shield (70) and the second frame (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Justin Freehill, Douglas G. Temple, Bruce A. Coers, Shane Marty Anderson
  • Patent number: 8770376
    Abstract: A buffer conveyor for conveying and buffering products, comprising at least a first elongated conveyor (7), which can be driven in a first direction, a second elongated conveyor (8), which can be driven in a second, opposite direction, and a transfer unit (12) having an inlet end and an outlet end, wherein a transfer element of the transfer unit describes a path between the inlet end and the outlet end which makes at most a small angle with the horizontal and which extends outside the area defined by the adjacent paths of the first and the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Specialty Conveyor B.V.
    Inventor: Jan-Willem Takens
  • Patent number: 8752816
    Abstract: An inserter system including a first station operative to output personal inserts for inserting in envelopes, an inserter operative to insert the personal inserts in the envelopes, and a dynamic buffer operative to convey the personal inserts from the first station to the inserter, the dynamic buffer including a partition-less adjustable length conveyor and an inserter-interface conveyor, wherein the adjustable length conveyor conveys the personal inserts from the first station to the inserter-interface conveyor and the inserter grabs the personal inserts from the inserter-interface conveyor, and wherein the inserter grabbing the personal inserts determines a speed of operation of the inserter-interface conveyor, including a timing at which the inserter-interface conveyor grabs the personal inserts from the adjustable length conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Beeri Printers
    Inventor: Giora Oz
  • Patent number: 8678174
    Abstract: A method for buffering products, such as bottles, cans and pots, wherein the products are carried upwards on a moving, inclined first conveying surface at a first flow rate. The products on the first conveying surface can accumulate against a guide member at the upper end of the first conveying surface, after which the products are guided from the guide member onto a second conveying surface, on which they are conveyed onwards at a second flow rate. The first conveying surface is disposed at such an angle and is provided with such a surface condition that the dragging force exerted on the products from the first conveying surface is just a little greater than the force of gravity being exerted on the products in the direction along the conveying surface. As a result, the products can be buffered in a simple manner, while the products exert only little pressure on each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ambaflex International B.V.
    Inventor: Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 8662291
    Abstract: A telescopic belt conveyor includes a base conveyor unit (4), an outer conveyor unit (10) and optionally one or more intermediate conveyor units (6, 8). The outer conveyor unit (10) and any intermediate conveyor units (6, 8) are mounted on the base conveyor unit and extendable telescopically therefrom in an extension direction. The outer conveyor unit (10) includes a pivotable conveyor section (12) that is mounted for pivoting movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis. A conveyor belt (14) is supported by the base conveyor unit (4), the outer conveyor unit (10) and the intermediate conveyor units (6, 8), the conveyor belt providing a conveyor surface that extends continuously along an upper surface of the base conveyor unit (4), the outer conveyor unit (10) and the intermediate conveyor units (6, 8). The pivotable conveyor section (12) has a free end remote from the pivot axis whose height relative to a ground surface may be adjusted by pivoting movement of the pivotable conveyor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Sovex Limited
    Inventor: Martin Henderson
  • Patent number: 8622201
    Abstract: A device for transporting objects having a first conveyor and a second conveyor which are guided via a coiled or spiraling conveyor line at least regionally parallel and at a horizontal distance to one another. The device contains a transfer unit, which can be moved in the gap between the conveyors with the aid of a travel drive, for transferring objects between the first and the second conveyor. The transfer unit supports a third conveyor, which can be driven via a conveyor drive independently of the first and second conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Martin Seger, Johann Huttner, Hansjorg Halbo
  • Patent number: 8596446
    Abstract: A method and a device for generation formatted total packages 29 comprising a defined number of adjoining equally sized individual pieces 10 formed in particular of a food product, whereby the individual pieces 10 are transported along the conveyor lines laying on conveyor belts, Whereby the individual pieces 10 on a first conveyor belt B1 are supplied at a mutual distance and at a speed VB1 to a second conveyor belt B2, B3, which forms a buffer line and which adjoins the first conveyor belt B1 in transport direction, whereby the individual pieces 10 at the beginning of the second conveyor belt B2, B3 are accumulated to a buffer stack 21 of adjoining individual pieces 10, whereby the buffer stack 21 is transported on the second conveyor belt B2, B3 at the speed VB2 which is lower than VB1, whereby at the end of the second conveyor belt B2, B3 total packages 29 are separated from the buffer stack 21 by means of a discharging conveyor belt B4 which, during the process of separating from the buffer stack 21, has
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Hochland SE
    Inventors: Andreas Biggel, Stefan Hofer
  • Patent number: 8590689
    Abstract: A conveyor system having at least one variable capacity storage for a bottle treatment machine at least two guides running laterally adjacent and at least one transfer guide are provided for a bottle carrier chain of curve-going coupled bottle carriers, with runs of the bottle carrier chain being transferable from one guide to the adjacent guide via the transfer guide are drivable along the guides. Each of the guides comprises at least one continuous tension member drivable by at least one conveyor drive of the conveyor system, and a respective run of the bottle carrier chain is arranged a certain distance along a tension member, guided there by the tension member and by means of automatically releasable and engageable positive fit and / or magnetically engaging couplings in the area of the transfer guide is driven by the tension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Matthias Wahl, Martin Seger, Johann Huttner
  • Publication number: 20130299313
    Abstract: Extendable conveyors with lights are disclosed herein. An example extendable conveyor disclosed herein includes a base unit and a mechanically extendable section, which is adjustably positionable between a nested position within the base unit and an extended position telescoped forwardly from the base unit. The conveyor includes a conveying surface to convey articles extending at least partially on an upper side of the mechanically extendable section. A light source is positioned at a lower side of the mechanically extendable section to illuminate at least an area below the mechanically extendable section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Anders Stougaard Baek, IV, Allan Falk, Mads Oestergaard, Brian Bondegaard Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8534443
    Abstract: A mobile stacking and reclaiming apparatus includes a moveable bridge, a moveable hopper and a moveable tripper. The moveable bridge has a first end, a second end, and at least one intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The moveable hopper is connected to the moveable bridge. The moveable hopper is moveable relative to the moveable bridge along at least a portion of the moveable bridge. The moveable tripper is also connected to the moveable bridge. The moveable tripper being moveable relative to the moveable bridge along at least a portion of the moveable bridge. A system is also disclosed that includes at least one mobile stacking and reclaiming apparatus adjacent to at least one stacking overland conveyor configured to convey material for stacking material and at least one reclaiming overland conveyor configured to convey material for reclaiming material. A method of providing such systems is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventors: Benjamin Boyce, Glenn Davis
  • Patent number: 8528719
    Abstract: A conveyor system having at least one variable capacity storage for a bottle treatment machine, at least two guides running laterally adjacent and at least one transfer guide are provided for a bottle carrier chain of curve-going coupled bottle carriers, with runs of the bottle carrier chain being transferable from one guide to the adjacent guide via the transfer guide are drivable along the guides. Each of the guides comprises at least one tension member drivable by at least one conveyor drive of the conveyor system, and a respective run of the automatically guided bottle carrier chain is arranged a certain distance along a tension member, separated there from the tension member by an air gap and is driven and guided by the respective tension member by a plurality of magnetic couplings which in the area of the transfer guide are automatically releasable and engageable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Johann Huttner, Martin Seger
  • Patent number: 8443964
    Abstract: An adjustable reservoir for articles such as smoking articles and smoking article filters comprises a plurality of conveyors mounted one above another in a vertical stack, each conveyor comprising an endless belt defining a curved conveying path of constant radius extending between two ends proximally spaced to define a gap through which articles carried by the belt may drop, and a drive mechanism operable to rotate at least one conveyor about the vertical axis of the stack so as to change the angular position of the gap of that conveyor relative to the gaps of adjacent conveyors. Changing the relative angular positions of the gaps allows the capacity of the reservoir to be adjusted, and further adjustment can be achieved by changing the direction of travel of the conveyor belts. The drive mechanism can be configured to move one or more groups of conveyors in unison, or to move each conveyor individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland SP. Z O.O.
    Inventor: Gary Fallon
  • Patent number: 8381900
    Abstract: An auger assembly is disclosed that comprises an extendable auger section that includes an auger trough having first auger, an auger tube having a second auger and configured to couple to a grain-receiving hopper, and a drive mechanism configured to move the auger tube and the second auger substantially parallel to the auger trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sudenga Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan G. Hoogestraat
  • Patent number: 8376125
    Abstract: A mobile stacking and reclaiming apparatus includes a moveable bridge, a moveable hopper and a moveable tripper. The moveable bridge has a first end, a second end, and at least one intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The moveable hopper is connected to the moveable bridge. The moveable hopper is moveable relative to the moveable bridge along at least a portion of the moveable bridge. The moveable tripper is also connected to the moveable bridge. The moveable tripper being moveable relative to the moveable bridge along at least a portion of the moveable bridge. A system is also disclosed that includes at least one mobile stacking and reclaiming apparatus adjacent to at least one stacking overland conveyor configured to convey material for stacking material and at least one reclaiming overland conveyor configured to convey material for reclaiming material. A method of providing such systems is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventors: Benjamin Boyce, Glenn Davis
  • Patent number: 8365905
    Abstract: A movement device having an endless belt with a working portion defined in a substantially horizontal working plane and a reserve portion defined in a reserve plane optionally coinciding with said working plane; a first guide wheel linearly moveable in said working plane and guiding the endless belt; a second guide wheel linearly moveable in said reserve plane and guiding the endless belt; two deflector members for deflecting the endless belt from the working plane to the reserve plane; drive mechanism for driving the endless belt; and movement mechanism for synchronously moving the two guide wheels in such a manner that the sum of the distances between each of the guide wheels and the deflector members is constant. The length of the working portion of the endless belt is capable of varying continuously and the quantity of articles that can be placed on the working portion of the belt can vary accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Fege Sarl
    Inventor: Francois-Loic Fege
  • Patent number: 8328002
    Abstract: A scoping auger of adjustable length is described. The scoping auger includes two conventional augers interconnected to each other in with a sliding connection mounting the two augers to each other with their longitudinal axes parallel with one auger section above the other. A longitudinally extended opening is formed in the top of the auger tube of the lower auger section so that particulate material being conveyed by the upper auger section can be deposited for further conveying of the particulate material anywhere within the length of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Marvin Rayhons
  • Patent number: 8328140
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for transportation of goods in a loading space. The system comprises a conveyor (1) for goods which is drivable to and for in the loading space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ConveyEx AB
    Inventor: Claes Nordstrom
  • Patent number: 8317013
    Abstract: An auger assembly transfers particulate material from a source area to a target area using a main auger, an open top swing auger or U-trough, and an extendable loading swing auger connected to one another. The main auger is supported on a wheeled frame similar to conventional grain augers while the U-trough is pivoted thereon, and the extendable loading swing auger is mounted on a rail system on the top of the U-trough. The inlet hopper of the extendable swing auger can be extended out to reach away from the main auger thus can be more easily positioned for proper alignment with the discharge hopper of a particulate material container even when the discharge hopper is within a confined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sakundiak Equipment Ltd.
    Inventor: Jerome Sanders
  • Patent number: 8205737
    Abstract: An apparatus for buffering objects having at least one first conveyor and at least one second conveyor, where objects enter the apparatus via the first conveyor and leave the apparatus via the second conveyor. Along a linear guide, a transfer device can be moved parallel to first and second conveyor to transfer objects from the first conveyor to the second conveyor. A control means unfolds and/or retracts a rail extending on at least one side of the first and/or second conveyor, dependent on the position of the transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Emil Dirmeier, Martin Seger
  • Publication number: 20120125737
    Abstract: A device having a variable-capacity store (3) formed with the aid of conveyors on two neighboring levels having one input channel (1), formed by a lower conveyor (4) and an upper conveyor (5), and one output channel (2), formed by an upper conveyor (6) and a lower conveyor (7), having a back plate (12), which is coupled with a slide (16) separating the levels of the store (3), equipped with a separating conveyor (17) so that they jointly effect to and fro motion, parallel to the horizontal conveyors, with the surface of the back plate (12), concave on the side of the store (3), is formed a the chain conveyor (13), characterized by the fact that the upper input conveyor (5) has at the end an arched part (8) pointing upwards, and the lower output conveyor (7) has at the beginning an arched part (9) pointing downwards, so that the two conveyors (5 and 7) approach each other with the arched parts (8 and 9), and between the arched part (8) of the upper input conveyor (5) and the arched part (9) of the lower output
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL TOBACCO MACHINERY POLAND SP. Z O.O.
    Inventors: Jacek Figarski, Leszek Sikora, Radoslaw Owczarek
  • Publication number: 20120111697
    Abstract: A storage wagon (1) for transporting bulk material (2) is equipped with a bottom conveyor belt (4), extending in a longitudinal direction (5) of the wagon, which is arranged within a container (3) and serves as a bottom surface, and with a transfer conveyor belt (12) positioned at a front end (13) of the wagon and projecting beyond the same. At a rear end (29) of the wagon, a loading conveyor belt (17)—displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the wagon—as well as an excavating device (21) and a work cabin (20) are provided. A front end (25) of the loading conveyor belt (17) is mounted for displacement in the longitudinal direction (5) of the wagon by means of a drive (41) on a longitudinal guide (39) extending in an upper end region (16) of the container (3), thus forming a first belt support (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Josef Theurer, Manfred Brunninger
  • Publication number: 20120090957
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading a plurality of shipping containers into a carrier. The containers are arranged according to a predetermined pattern on a fixed staging unit of the apparatus. A first conveyor of the apparatus receives and transports the arranged containers from the fixed staging unit. The first conveyor is movable horizontally. A second conveyor of the apparatus receives the containers from the first conveyor and transports the containers into the carrier. The second conveyor is movable horizontally and vertically. A control unit of the apparatus controls transportation of the containers from the second conveyor into the carrier when the second conveyor is vertically moved to a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Brian Byrne, Douglas McLeester
  • Publication number: 20110253503
    Abstract: A belt conveyor (100) for an agricultural harvester comprises first and second conveyors that include side rails (102, 104, 120, 122) made of extrusions in which the side rails (102, 104) of the first conveyor have extruded profiles that engage extruded profiles of the side rails (120, 122) of the second conveyor (130), wherein the mating extruded profiles permit relative sliding movement between the first and second conveyors. The two mating pairs of side rails (102, 120 and 104, 122) may be driven in parallel by a common motor (706).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Ryan Patrick Mackin, Daniel James Burke, Bruce Alan Coers
  • Patent number: 8028820
    Abstract: A device for storing articles with two conveyor tracks that can be driven in opposite directions and a transfer mechanism that can be moved along the conveyor tracks for transferring the articles between the two conveyor tracks // with this device at least one functional control unit that monitors the device is provided. This significantly improves the possibility of detecting damage and trouble and prevents serious consequences, damages and downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Robert Giehrl, Juergen Koller
  • Patent number: 7918332
    Abstract: The present invention is a conveyor arrangement for a stamping die employed within a stamping press. The conveyor arrangement has a fixed conveyor with a protruding end, wherein the fixed conveyor is mounted on the die for receiving and shuttling stamped parts from the die. The conveyor arrangement also has a moveable conveyor with a supported first end and a cantilevered second end, wherein the moveable conveyor is arranged for positioning the second end under the fixed conveyor's protruding end for receiving and shuttling stamped parts from the fixed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Donald R. Vaughn, Jr., Mark A. Frondal, Charles J. Abramson
  • Patent number: 7823718
    Abstract: A conveyance device is configured to carry a product. The conveyance device includes a first path configured to carry the product in a first direction, a second path configured to carry the product in a second direction, and a transfer assembly positioned adjacent to a portion of the first path to facilitate transfer of the product from the first path to the second path. The conveyance device also includes a guide system configured to move the transfer assembly along the first path. The guide system includes a base positioned proximate the first path and the second path and an arm coupled to the base and extending above a portion of the first path and a portion of the second path. The arm is configured to move in a first manner and a second manner relative to the base. The transfer assembly is movably coupled to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Arrowhead Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Spencer
  • Patent number: 7811043
    Abstract: A belt loader assembly includes a belt loader and an extension assembly. The belt loader includes a conveyor belt and a frame. The extension assembly includes an extension portion, a connection portion, and a bumper portion. The extension portion includes a plate having a first end portion and a second end portion. The connection portion is engaged with the first end portion of the plate and with the frame of the belt loader. The bumper portion is engaged with the second end portion of the plate. An extension assembly includes a plate having a first end portion and an oppositely disposed second end portion. The extension assembly further includes a bumper portion engaged to the plate at the second portion. The bumper portion includes a bumper. A connection portion is engaged with the first end portion and adapted for engagement with a belt loader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Ryan Gale Anderson
  • Patent number: 7810629
    Abstract: A device for dynamic storage of objects along a conveying section between an input station and an output station with an endless, flexible conveying means, which is variably subdivided into a conveying strand and an idle strand, with at least one carriage, which can be moved in the plane of conveyance, for changing the storage capacity, which carriage presents a first deflection for the conveying strand and a second deflection for the idle strand, as well as with a first drive device for the conveying means in the area of the input station and a second drive device for the conveying means in the area of the output station. The conveying means is provided over its entire length at identical intervals with grippers for the objects and the conveying means has a link chain, equipped with rotatable guide rollers, which runs at least in some areas in at least one stationary guide rail, where at least one guide roller is arranged on the respective chain link in a movable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Volker Kronseder, Heinz Humele, Wolfgang Hausladen, Alexander Kaiser
  • Patent number: 7766158
    Abstract: An extendable belt conveyor system designed to be installed under a self-propelled windrower between the front and the rear wheels suitable for multiple windrowing operations. The self-propelled windrower with the extendable belt conveyor system deliver a swath at a variable distance from the windrower, either on left or on the right, as the machine moves through the field. The conveyor can be directed on the left or on the right at variable distances with no need to manually change a part. The extendable belt conveyor system has at least two conveyors disposed one above the others and are connected with a trolley between each conveyor. The extendable belt conveyor system is driven by a single driving means and by a single reversible motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Pierre Laganière
  • Patent number: 7533513
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for filling food product drafts into packages. A supply of open top containers are arranged in rows and carried by an elongated web of film and are movable by the web into a fill station. A shuttle conveyor has a retractable and extendable conveying surface, the conveying surface arranged above the fill station and having an end region extendable to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts into the containers of the first row by circulation of the conveying surface. The conveying surface is retractable, or extendable, to reposition the end to a position arranged to deposit food product drafts carried on the conveying surface into the containers of the second row and each subsequent row. A tamping apparatus is carried by the conveyor to retract or extend with the conveying surface end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Formax, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Lindee, Glenn Sandberg, James E. Pasek
  • Patent number: 7500556
    Abstract: An adjustable conveyor bed that is adjustable in length to span a gap between two devices of a conveyor system includes a primary section and a secondary section that is extendable and retractable relative to the primary section. The primary section has opposite primary sidewalls and a plurality of primary rollers mounted thereto. The primary rollers include a primary motorized roller and a plurality of primary idler rollers interconnected with one another via a plurality of drive members. The secondary section has opposite secondary sidewalls, with the secondary section sidewalls being nestedly received within the primary sidewalls and being adjustably mounted to the primary sidewalls and extendable and retractable relative to the primary sidewalls to adjust a length of the adjustable conveyor bed. The secondary section is configured to support at least one secondary roller when extended a sufficient amount from the primary section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E Lemke, Jeffrey D Price
  • Patent number: 7490712
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly with ejecting provision, wherein the assembly comprises an upstream and a downstream belt conveyor defining a conveying surface, which are arranged for operatively conveying a series of products at a conveying speed in a conveying direction, wherein the upstream belt conveyor connects by a discharge end to a feed end of the downstream belt conveyor, wherein the discharge end is defined by a discharge end return pulley and wherein the feed end is defined by a feed end return pulley, wherein the discharge end return pulley and/or the feed end return pulley are arranged displaceably along the conveying direction in a plane parallel to the conveying surface of the respective conveyor for forming an ejection opening between the two return pulleys. The invention further relates to a document processing line with such a conveyor assembly and to a method of ejecting products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Buhrs-Zaandam B.V.
    Inventors: Ludovicus Wilhelmus A. Hamers, Menno Koppen, Freek Willem L. De Ridder, Bernardus Cornelis Tichelaar