With Elevating Or Lowering Section Patents (Class 198/607)
  • Patent number: 10894667
    Abstract: A rail-bound transport robot having an approximately box-like container, which is open at the top, for individual release of bulk material, which is provided in its inner space with at least one compartment, which is filled with the bulk material, wherein the transport robot has a loading space open at the top, adapted for receiving the container, and wherein the container rests on a longitudinal conveyor in the transport robot, which engages opening lids from below, which are positioned on the bottom side of container, wherein the bulk material flows outwardly through the opening lids, when the opening lids are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: HERON INNOVATIONS FACTORY GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Beer, Wolfgang Braendle
  • Patent number: 10584003
    Abstract: A portable drive-over conveyor is provided with a plurality of inlets and first and second conveyors so as to be arranged for simultaneously unloading multiple trucks side by side. Furthermore, the portable drive-over conveyor may be used in a system with another such drive-over conveyor in parallel to unload a truck having multiple discharges at each of the discharges by forming a bridge in between center structures of the drive-over conveyors allowing the truck to cross over the side by side drive-over conveyors and position the multiple discharges over the inlets of the side by side conveyors. Moreover, the second conveyor is swivably mountable on a frame of the drive-over conveyor such that particulate material is dischargeable at different locations angularly of a longitudinal axis of the trailer. The portable drive-over conveyor includes other novel features which are usable on a drive-over conveyor of the same type having at least one inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Hi-Crush Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Friesen
  • Patent number: 10513359
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and transporting a stream of eggs, comprising, a conveyor for transporting eggs in a transport direction T, a releasing device connected with the conveyor, for releasing predetermined eggs away from the conveyor, separately, downwardly out of the stream, a guide for receiving and taking over such an egg from the releasing device and guiding it to an egg processing apparatus, and two driven star wheels placed substantially close to each other, with shafts perpendicular to T, and with opposite directions of rotation of the shafts, while upon rotation their blades along a part of the rotation path are placed over each other and transport the eggs substantially cupwise downwardly. In a suitable manner, with this apparatus, for example intact but dirty eggs can be released from a sorting stream and be received for further handling or processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: MOBA GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Hendrik Van Den Brink
  • Patent number: 10183763
    Abstract: A dual-sloping carousel is disclosed. According to the present invention, the carousel comprises forward-sloping and reverse-sloping sections, so as to reduce the risk of falling baggage, thereby preventing the baggage from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA AIRPORTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dong Soo Kim, Pil Geun Yun, Hyun Suek Kim, Myung Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 10065813
    Abstract: A produce loading and unloading device and system. The device and system has structures for lifting an entire stack of flats loaded with produce such as berries, moving the stack of flats to a conveyor, and dumping the produce off each flat of the stack, one flat at a time. During the process, the operator of the device doesn't have to lift a single flat of produce. The dumping operation operates continuously, with no pauses to load stacks of flats. Throughput and safety are greatly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Dean A. Vander Hoek
  • Patent number: 9975712
    Abstract: A portable drive-over conveyor is provided with a plurality of inlets and first and second conveyors so as to be arranged for simultaneously unloading multiple trucks side by side. Furthermore, the portable drive-over conveyor may be used in a system with another such drive-over conveyor in parallel to unload a truck having multiple discharges at each of the discharges by forming a bridge in between center structures of the drive-over conveyors allowing the truck to cross over the side by side drive-over conveyors and position the multiple discharges over the inlets of the side by side conveyors. Moreover, the second conveyor is swivably mountable on a frame of the drive-over conveyor such that particulate material is dischargeable at different locations angularly of a longitudinal axis of the trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FB Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Friesen
  • Patent number: 9254960
    Abstract: A conveyor system for controlling two conveyer belts with a single motor comprises a housing including at least one inclined section. A first conveyor belt is operably connected to a drive pulley and a first idler pulley. A second conveyor belt is operably connected to a second and third idler pulley. A drive unit includes a motor in communication with the drive pulley and a first and a second sprocket. A roller chain extends between the drive pulley, the sprockets, and the third idler pulley, wherein the roller chain causes the drive pulley and the sprockets to rotate in one of a clockwise and a counterclockwise manner and the third idler pulley to rotate in the other of a clockwise and the counterclockwise manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: JORGENSEN CONVEYORS
    Inventor: Paul Pribyl
  • Patent number: 9067739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transport system comprising a circumferentially closed transport section (2) that has a plurality of section parts, wherein the section parts comprise linear section parts (3) and curved section parts (4), wherein at least one of the curved section parts (4) has a U-shaped curve section (40) that defines a 180° deflection, at least one runner (7) that can be moved along the transport section (2) in order to transport objects, and a lock device (5) that is arranged between the U-shaped curve section (40) and adjacent section parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich van de Loecht
  • Patent number: 9022199
    Abstract: A machining module includes a molding system, a painting system and a transporting system. The transporting system is positioned between the molding system and the painting system. The transporting system automatically transports a plurality of blank members produced by the molding system to the painting system. The transporting system defines a detecting station for detecting the blank members and an assembly station for assembling the detected blank members to the painting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Wei Hong, Chien-Ming Chang
  • Patent number: 8905221
    Abstract: An apparatus for stacking items (I) includes first and second pluralities of stacker shelves (22) extending towards each other in spaced and parallel operative sections and each moving along first and second endless paths. The stacker shelves (22) are switchable by a switch (350) between extended and retracted positions. The stacker shelves (22) in retracted positions in the operative sections are operatively spaced from the item (I) received on the corresponding stacker shelves (22) in extended positions. In preferred aspects, the stacker shelves (22) are slideable relative to first and second plurality of carriers (310) carried along the first and second endless paths by roller chains (304). The switch (350) switches a cam follower (328) on each of the stacker shelves (22) into one of first and second cam tracks (342, 344) as the stacker shelves (22) enter the operative sections of the endless paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Douglas Machine Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Young
  • Publication number: 20140311866
    Abstract: To provide a slat conveyor apparatus in which course change path parts are moved without inverting the upper and lower sides of slats to eliminate the need for an expensive pitting work, wherein the slats can be held horizontally by a simplified configuration on the course change path parts at front and back ends in the direction of conveyance, whereby the length of the working process does not become shorter, and a required inverting action can be made by a simplified configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: NAKANISHI METAL WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro OKAZAKI, Haruyuki YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8770385
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for transferring goods (6) from a first (2) to a second conveyor (4), comprising a substantially upright extending frame (8), —an endless drive arranged on the frame (8) and • drivable by a motor; at least one support member which is connected to the endless drive (24) and which is drivable in a circuit by means of the endless drive (24), —at least one product carrier (28) connected to the support member, wherein the product carrier (28) is connected to the support member for rotation about a lying shaft extending transversely of the frame, wherein the product carrier (28) is connected drivably to no more than one endless drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Nedpack Patenten B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Gerrit Hannessen
  • Patent number: 8733538
    Abstract: A vertical closed loop link chain vacuum conveyor is provided. A conveying frame extends along a lane-like longitudinal conveying path. The frame has a vertical and longitudinally offset closed loop section. The closed loop section has a change in elevation including a decline and an incline, change in direction, and a central vacuum plenum. A multi-flex link chain is in guided support and travel in the conveying frame while running in trained contact about a link chain drive assembly. The multi-flex link chain is in evacuated communication with a suction generator is in ducted communication with the vacuum plenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: William D. Jones
  • Patent number: 8714339
    Abstract: A device and a method for transferring printed products conveyed in a stream of individual products from a feed unit to a removal unit makes it possible to divert the printed products from a feed direction to a removal direction. The feed unit includes a first conveyor and a transfer region, and the removal unit includes a takeover region with a support surface for the printed products. The transfer region is located higher than the takeover region. The removal unit of the device includes at least a second conveyor which forms the support surface. A pressing element is arranged above the support surface which can be lowered toward the support surface or toward a printed product moving in the direction of the support surface. The pressing element can be lifted up from the support surface or a printed product positioned thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventors: Beat Brun, Andreas Hess, Christian Troxler
  • Patent number: 8567592
    Abstract: An example adjustable part loader system includes a first loader adjacent a base and adjustable along the base having a first motor and a second loader adjacent the base and adjustable along the base having a second motor. The second loader is aligned with the first loader along the base in a position relative to a dimension of a first part to be loaded. The first loader and the second loader each carry a distinct portion of the same part. The first loader is adjustable relative to the second loader. A controller system in communication with the first loader and the second loader and controls both simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Brass -Craft Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Paul R. Homrich
  • 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: 8490774
    Abstract: A loading station for transport bags transported in an overhead conveyor system comprises an upper supply rail for the transport bags, a vertical conveyor which adjoins the supply rail for moving the transport bags into a lower loading position, a device for opening the transport bags in the loading position and a lower discharge rail which adjoins the vertical conveyor for discharging the transport bags from the loading position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Paul Janzen
  • Patent number: 8403010
    Abstract: There is provided a tablet filling device, which can smoothly supply vials without any stop of the device even if the vials cause a jam within a stocker. The tablet filling device is related to removing a vial 9 from a stocker 21 accommodating a large number of vials 9 according to a prescription data, dispensing tablets into the vial 9 to fill the vial, and discharging the vial 9 filled with the tablets. The stocker 21 includes: a vial removing device 24 configured to scoop the vial 9 accommodated in the stocker 21 upward to remove the vial; and a vial conveying device 23 configured to convey the vial 9 toward the vial removing device 24. When a jam of the vial 9 occurs, the vial conveying device 23 is reversely driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Taniguchi, Minoru Tano, Yoshinori Maeji
  • Patent number: 8302763
    Abstract: An apparatus for buffering products comprises at least three buffer conveyors arranged in series, which can be driven independently of each other, a first buffer conveyor which can be connected to supply device for supplying products and a last buffer conveyor which can be connected to discharge device for discharging the products, wherein the buffer conveyors are so arranged that each of the products follows the same conveying path and that at least one of the buffer conveyors comprises a spiral path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Specialty Conveyor B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Broers, Jozef Walter Maria Hopman, Wouter Balk
  • Publication number: 20120211030
    Abstract: A vertical closed loop link chain vacuum conveyor is provided. A conveying frame extends along a lane-like longitudinal conveying path. The frame has a vertical and longitudinally offset closed loop section. The closed loop section has a change in elevation including a decline and an incline, change in direction, and a central vacuum plenum. A multi-flex link chain is in guided support and travel in the conveying frame while running in trained contact about a link chain drive assembly. The multi-flex link chain is in evacuated communication with a suction generator is in ducted communication with the vacuum plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: William D. Jones
  • Patent number: 8181768
    Abstract: A mailpiece inserter includes a feed conveyor adapted to feed a shingled stack of mailpiece envelopes along a feed path to an insert module and a chassis module adapted to produce content material for insertion into the mailpiece envelopes processed by the insert module. An envelope position detector is operative to sense a discontinuity in the shingled stack and issues a first position signal indicative thereof, and an input conveyor module is adapted to convey mailpiece envelopes into shingled engagement with an aft end of the shingled stack of mailpiece envelopes on the feed conveyor. The input conveyor module has an input end proximal to a single workstation of the chassis module which enables an operator to (i) feed mailpiece envelopes to the input module and (ii) supply content material to the chassis module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventor: W. Scott Kalm
  • Patent number: 8154314
    Abstract: In a side-docking type test handler, a descending mechanism lowers a horizontally postured test tray, which has been transferred into a soak chamber, down to a descent finish position and a vertical posture changing mechanism changes the posture of the test tray, which has been lowered to the descent finish position, from the horizontal state to a vertical state, to transfer the test tray into a test chamber. Further, a horizontal posture changing mechanism changes the posture of the test tray in the test chamber from the vertical state to the horizontal state while transferring the test tray to an ascent start position in a desoak chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Techwing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Gyun Shim, Yun Sung Na, In Gu Jeon, Dong Hyun Yo, Bong Soo Kim, Choung Min Joung
  • Patent number: 8047352
    Abstract: A vial supply device 11 having a receiving section with a large capacity and capable of reliably discharging the vials includes: a receiving section 101 for receiving many empty vials 4; a conveyance unit 105 having a horizontal endless member 104 located at a bottom wall of the receiving section 101 and being configured to be driven in a horizontal direction, the conveyance unit being further configured to convey the vials 4 in a horizontal direction by using the horizontal endless member 104; and a discharge unit 111 having a vertical endless member 109 located at a wall of the receiving section 101 and being configured to be driven in a vertical direction, the discharge unit being further configured to lift the vials 4 upward and discharge the same while allowing the vials 4 to be horizontally supported at support members 110 located at the vertical endless member 109 at predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Yuyama Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Yuyama
  • Publication number: 20110180373
    Abstract: A buffer conveyor for conveying and buffering products comprises a first and a second conveyor, which move at least substantially parallel to each other in helical paths about a common vertical axis, albeit in opposite directions. A transfer unit is movable parallel to the first and the second conveyor in the aforesaid path with its inlet (HA) and outlet (HB) ends. The transfer unit is provided with at least one separate, drivable transfer element for transferring the products from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, so that the products can be transferred from the inlet end of the first conveyor to the discharge end of the second conveyor via the transfer unit. The transfer unit comprises a drive unit for moving the transfer unit along the paths of the respective conveyors with its ends in dependence on the speeds of the first and the second conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Broers, Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 7946797
    Abstract: An egg transport system has an egg transport module (10) where eggs are stored on a plurality of shelves (20) on a transportable frame (30) with wheels (11). The module (10) is loaded or unloaded by a loader (50, 150) and unloader (70), both of which can be vertical aligned to enable loading/unloading of a selected one of the shelves (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: Colin James Smith
  • Publication number: 20110114449
    Abstract: A conveyor-to-convey transfer mechanism is provided, and in some embodiments comprises a transfer conveyor extending between first and second conveyors for receiving items from the first conveyor and for dispatching the items to the second conveyor. In some embodiments, movement of items to the transfer conveyor comprises a convergence of a portion of the first conveyor with respect to the transfer conveyor and/or movement of items from the transfer conveyor comprises a divergence of a portion of the second conveyor with respect to the transfer conveyor. The convergence and/or divergence can include vertical change in the first, second and/or transfer conveyors, and can occur by supporting one portion of a bracket carrying an item upon at least one of the first and second conveyors, and supporting another portion of the bracket carrying the item upon the transfer conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2008
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Chad M. Andreae, Anthony C. Scoville
  • Patent number: 7921982
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) loads product in the form of bags into a carton held at a tilt angle. The leading ends of the bags on an adjustment conveyor (20) are abutted by a bumper (30) to reorient the bags 90° on the adjustment conveyor (20). The downstream roller (44) of a twist conveyor (40) is tilted to collate bags on a decline conveyor (70). The collated bags are moved on an orientation conveyor (74) to engage a product scoop (110) extending at an inclined position and moved to a vertical position to vertically orient the bags. The orientation conveyor (74) is moved to an offset position to allow the bags to drop onto a lowerator (92) of an accumulator (86) where they can be sandwiched between retainer plates (88, 90). A pusher plate (94) pushes the bags off the lowerator (92) into the carton and is tilted to correspond to the tilt angle of the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Douglas Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Rodney Moske, Ronald Matthew Gust
  • Publication number: 20100140054
    Abstract: An apparatus for buffering products comprises at least three buffer conveyors (2) arranged in series, which can be driven independently of each other, a first buffer conveyor (2a) which can be connected to supply means for supplying products and a last buffer conveyor (2c) which can be connected to discharge means for discharging the products, wherein the buffer conveyors are so arranged that each of the products follows the same conveying path and that at least one of the buffer conveyors comprises a spiral path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Specialty Conveyor B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Broers, Jozef Walter Maria Hopman, Wouter Balk
  • Patent number: 7712602
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating the web rolls (2) of a roll set (1) traveling on a conveyor (3) from each other. The conveyor (3) comprises a conveyor belt or chain (12) adapted to run about driving and tail pulleys (7). In the method, the set (1) of web rolls is transported on the leg of the conveyor belt or chain (12). According to the method, onto the top surface of the conveyor belt or chain (12) is formed an elevation capable of separating the web rolls (2) apart from each other with the help of an elevating roll assembly (5) adapted to operate below the top surface of the conveyor belt or chain (12) and comprising at least one rotary elevating roll (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
    Inventor: Mauri Hillo
  • Publication number: 20090288931
    Abstract: An elevation conveyor 5 includes a turntable 17 and a roller conveyor 18. The roller conveyor 18 is supported onto the turntable 17. A turntable controller 7 turns the turntable 17 so that the roller conveyor 18 matches with a carrying direction of a conveyor rail for receiving or delivering a load and then drives the conveyor rail and the roller conveyor 18 to receive or deliver an FOUP 8. An elevation conveyor 5 is held in a cable 20a installed in an elevation space 9 through a coupling member 20b of a cableveyor 20, and can freely elevate and stop at a port 21 installed on each floor while being interlocked with motion of the cableveyor 20 caused by reciprocating circulation of the cableveyor 20 in a vertical direction by an elevation conveyor controller 4.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: ASYST TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN, INC.
    Inventor: Munekuni Oshima
  • Patent number: 7543698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an article elevator for moving lightweight open ended containers from a first level to a second level vertically spaced from the first level. The article elevator includes an input section at the first level for receiving container bodies. An elevator section is positioned for receiving container bodies from the input section. A discharge section is located at the second level for receiving container bodies from the elevator section. A plurality of arms is movably mounted above the input section, the elevator section, and the discharge section. Each of the arms moves a group of container bodies from the input section over the elevator section to the discharge section so that successive groups of container bodies are moved to the discharge section from the input section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Container Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David F. Haskell
  • Patent number: 7306090
    Abstract: A tablet package conveying apparatus for a tablet automatic packing machine is disclosed. The apparatus can offset a speed difference among conveyed tablet packages while they are conveyed, such that the conveyed tablet packages discharged from the lower side of the tablet automatic packing machine can be more smoothly conveyed to the side wall of the tablet automatic packing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: JVM Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun-ho Kim
  • Patent number: 7128205
    Abstract: A turn-around device for packets, in particular packets of cigarettes, wherein the packets are fed successively, with a first surface facing forwards, to a turn-around station, from which they are extracted, with a second surface facing forwards, by a gripper conveyor, which travels through the turn-around station perpendicularly to the second surface, and has a number of grippers, each of which defines a pocket for a relative packet, and closes gradually onto the packet to control its position as it is extracted from the turn-around station with the second surface facing forwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: G.D Societa per Azioni
    Inventors: Mario Spatafora, Fabrizio Tale'
  • Patent number: 7104388
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying stacked product from an infeed conveyor that conveys the product in multiple rows and at irregular intervals onto a transverse outfeed conveyor, wherein the product is in a single row and spaced at regular intervals, wherein the regular row may include gaps or empty spaces. The apparatus includes an intermediate conveyor that is disposed between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. The intermediate conveyor overlaps and is interleaved with the infeed conveyor. A number of lift assemblies are disposed below the infeed conveyor and are adapted to selectively lift the product to suspend its forward progress and lower the product to achieve a desired arrival at the outfeed conveyor. In a preferred embodiment, the intermediate conveyor has a faster belt speed than the infeed conveyor, such that the stacked product accelerates on the overlapped portion of the infeed and intermediate conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: ARR Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene W. Walker
  • Patent number: 7097023
    Abstract: A finished product receiving unit used in a corrugated metal sheet member making machine for receiving finished products is disclosed to include a rack, rollers arranged in the rack for receiving finished products, two drag rods longitudinally arranged in parallel, links respectively coupled between the drag rods and the rollers, and two air cylinders controlled to move the drag rods and to further shift the rollers between the transverse direction to receive finished products and the longitudinal direction to let received finished products fall to the collection place at the bottom side of the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 7080968
    Abstract: A system and method for loading product onto a conveyor. The system includes a conveyor movable in at least a first direction and a metering section located proximate to at an end of the conveyor. The metering section includes a plate mechanism movable between a first position and a second position and a door adapted to be opened to a feeder. The door is at least partially supporting a predetermined amount of product and is positioned between a movable distance of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne M. Blackwell, Bruce H. Hanson
  • Patent number: 6983837
    Abstract: A finished product receiving unit used in a corrugated metal sheet member making machine for receiving finished products is disclosed to include a rack, two pivot shafts arranged in parallel two sides in the rack, two elongated finished product carrier frames respectively fastened to the pivot shafts and holding a number of rollers for receiving finished products from the corrugated metal sheet member making machine, and two air cylinders bilaterally mounted in the top side of the rack and respectively coupled to the pivot shafts through a respective link and controlled to bias the pivot shafts and to further move the elongated finished product carrier frames between the operative position for receiving finished products from the corrugated metal sheet member making machine and the non-operative position for enabling received finished products to fall to the bottom side of the rack for further collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 6889847
    Abstract: A feeder arrangement for the individual feeding of timber pieces (10) to a downwardly moving conveyor (2) includes an incoming conveyor (7) and projecting carriers (23) on the downwardly moving conveyor (2). The incoming conveyor (7) is disposed for the feeding of timber pieces (10). The carriers (23) incline obliquely downwards and outwards from the downwardly moving conveyor (2). A curved guide space (21) is disposed to overlap, with a lower end portion, an upper portion of the downwardly moving conveyor (2). The angle of curvature of the guide space (21) is so great that the upper side of a timber piece (10) which comes to guide space (21) will be turned to face downwards when the timber piece (10) rests on a carrier (23). The incoming conveyor (7) has an end portion which is turned to face towards the guide space (21) and which is approximately horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: C. Gunnarssons Verkstads AB
    Inventor: Cenneth Gunnarsson
  • Patent number: 6681916
    Abstract: A system for conveying LCD glass substrates 100 traveling between processing devices 210, 220 and 230 and conveying LCD glass substrates. The conveyor system 100 includes an upper conveyor 110 for conveying LCD glass substrates in the feeding direction between processing devices, a lower conveyor 120 arranged so as to form a multi-storied structure together with the upper conveyor for conveying LCD glass substrates in the return direction between processing devices, and a vertical conveyor for vertically conveying LCD glass substrates from the upper conveyor to the lower conveyor or vice versa. The vertical conveyor is provided with a plurality of conveyor tables, of which each is able to support the a LCD glass substrate from the underside thereof and moving it up and down linking to each other. One conveyor table forms a part of the upper conveyor while the another conveyor table forms a part of the lower conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Tsutomu Hiroki
  • Patent number: 6662926
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus is provided for transferring articles laterally off of a conveyor. One embodiment of the apparatus is designed for use with a belt driven live roller conveyor, and has a serpentine transfer belt arrangement having first and second uppermost portions which when in the raised position will be located on either side of the drive belt of the main conveyor. Other features include the use of a toothed drive belt driven by a motor that may have a motor brake. The apparatus may also include a stop abutment to prevent interference by an upstream article with an article which has been selected for lateral transfer. A lifting mechanism for the transfer apparatus preferably includes an actuating ram having a ram axis oriented parallel to the width of the main conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: VIW, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. B. Wood, Gary W. Ivey
  • Patent number: 6612417
    Abstract: A product conveying and accumulation system is provided for use with products of various sizes, shapes, and stability characteristics. The system comprises multiple moving conveyors, including a first conveyor which transports product from an upstream location to the inner path of an accumulator conveyor. The accumulator conveyor, traveling at a substantially similar speed or a designated variable speed as the first conveyor or conveyors, is aligned in the same plane as, is adjacent to, and may mate with the first conveyor at a predetermined location at the inner path of the accumulator conveyor for contiguous movement in the same direction as the first conveyor at this predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Garvey Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Garvey
  • Patent number: 6609607
    Abstract: An article separation conveyor system includes a plurality of conveyors which are independently and/or collectively operable to destack, separate and/or align articles being conveyed along the article separation conveyor. The conveyor system includes a destacking conveyor, a side by side eliminating conveyor and/or an aligning conveyor. The destacking conveyor includes a plurality of conveying portions, which are inclined to convey articles up and then drop or guide them onto the next adjacent conveyor. The side-by-side eliminating conveyor includes a pair of diverting members and is operable to redirect articles from one side of the conveyor to the other to destack and separate articles as they are continuously conveyed along the conveyor. The aligning conveyor is operable to align articles along one side of the discharge conveyor so the articles are arranged for identification at a downstream scanning device and induction onto a sortation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp.
    Inventors: Bernard H. Woltjer, Douglas E. Olson, John Stafford, Gerald A. Brouwer, Ricardo N. Schiesser, Dennis J. Schuitema
  • Patent number: 6595349
    Abstract: A mechanism for diverting articles from a first conveying path to a second conveying path comprises a drive chain arrangement comprising chain loops having projecting members over part of their periphery, so that as loops rotate an article is raised by the projecting members and conveyed in the direction of the second path. The projecting members comprise rollers arranged between two chains. The rollers may be arranged to roll on respective guide rails so that an article is conveyed into the second conveying path in an accelerated manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hazmac (Handling) Limited
    Inventor: John MacSwan
  • Patent number: 6581749
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus is provided for transferring articles laterally off of a conveyor. One embodiment of the apparatus is designed for use with a belt driven live roller conveyor, and has a serpentine transfer belt arrangement having first and second uppermost portions which when in the raised position will be located on either side of the drive belt of the main conveyor. Other features include the use of a toothed drive belt driven by a motor that may have a motor brake. The apparatus may also include a stop abutment to prevent interference by an upstream article with an article which has been selected for lateral transfer. A lifting mechanism for the transfer apparatus preferably includes an actuating ram having a ram axis oriented parallel to the width of the main conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Designed Conveyor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth E. B. Wood, Gary W. Ivey
  • Patent number: 6516941
    Abstract: Chain conveyors in an agricultural harvesting machine can be tensioned by means of a tension adjusting device including an adjusting unit which is coupled to a displaceable shaft via a linkage means or connector members. The adjusting units are advantageously hydraulic cylinders controlled in synchronism. The hydraulic cylinders can be mutually independently pressurized via bypass lines incorporating control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Claas Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Buhne
  • Patent number: 6494311
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus for changing the position of chains of sausages in sausage production processes with two endless conveying belts which convey the sausages of the chain of sausages over a first length in a first direction and which then deflect the chain of sausages into a second direction and convey it over a second length in said second direction, the distance between the conveying belts being chosen such that it is larger during transport in said second direction than during transport in said first direction, for use in transferring a chain of sausages from a twist-off station to a suspension station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Gerhard Müller
  • Patent number: 6343685
    Abstract: A first conveying device has first bearing elements which are arranged parallel to one another and define a planar first bearing surface. The first bearing elements are driven such that they can be displaced in a first conveying direction. A second conveying means has second bearing elements which run parallel to one another and to the first bearing elements and define a second planar bearing surface. The second bearing elements are designed as conveying elements which are driven in a second conveying direction, which runs at right angles to the first conveying direction. The second bearing elements can be displaced, by means of a lifting drive, in a lifting direction, which runs at right angles to the two bearing surfaces. The first and second bearing elements are spaced apart from one another and arranged such that, upon displacement of the second bearing elements, the latter can be pushed through the interspaces between the first bearing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hunkeler AG Papierverarbeitungsmaschinen
    Inventor: Roland Hofer
  • Patent number: 5996769
    Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying materials includes an upper conveyor and a lower conveyor. The upper conveyor includes a first pulley, a second pulley spaced from the first pulley and first endless belt extending about the first and second pulleys. The lower conveyor includes a third pulley, a fourth pulley, a fifth pulley and a second endless belt supported about the third, fourth and fifth pulleys. The third, fourth and fifth pulleys support the second endless belt such that the second endless belt at least partially wraps about the second pulley of the upper conveyor against the first endless belt to sandwich materials therebetween and to elevate the materials from the lower conveyor to the upper conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Svedala Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis L. Winchip
  • Patent number: RE37008
    Abstract: Masa handling methods for the continuous processing of masa type dough in conjunction with commonly available feed processing equipment, such as a masa extruder, an oven, or cooling apparatus. One masa handling method includes a masa separator having a pair of opposed, endless belt conveyors having facing surfaces spaced apart to receive a generally continuous masa stream output from a nozzle on the masa extruder. When the masa stream moves between the conveyors, it is gripped by their facing surfaces and moved away from the nozzle, causing the masa to be separated into individual pieces, or logs. The masa handling method can also include feeding the masa to masa hoppers fed by at least two endless belt conveyors arranged in upstream and downstream positions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Casa Herrera, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor R. Sanchez, Alberto Ceja, Rigoberto Anguiano
  • Patent number: RE41573
    Abstract: Mass handling methods for the continuous processing of masa type dough in conjunction with commonly available feed processing equipment, such as a masa extruder, an oven, or cooling apparatus. One masa handling method includes a masa separator having a pair of opposed, endless belt conveyors having facing surfaces spaced apart to receive a generally continuous masa stream output from a nozzle on the masa extruder. When the masa stream moves between the conveyors, it is gripped by their facing surfaces and moved away from the nozzle, causing the masa to be separated into individual pieces, or logs. The masa handling method can also include feeding the masa to masa hoppers fed by at least two endless belt conveyors arranged in upstream and downstream positions relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Casa Herrera, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor R. Sanchez, Alberto Ceja, Rigoberto Anguiano