Transversely Extending Enlongated Ridge Means Formed On Or Attached By Nonmechanical Means To The Conveyor Patents (Class 198/690.2)
  • Patent number: 11939165
    Abstract: An accessory assembly (1) of toothed belts (9), toothed conveyor belts (9a) or portions thereof, comprising a base piece (2), a first piece (3) and a second piece (4) with respectively a first, a second and a fourth coupling part (21, 31, 41). The first and the second coupling part (21, 31) are complementary to one another so that the first piece (3) is couplable above the base piece (2) in one or more predetermined positions and the fourth and the first coupling part (41, 21) are complementary to one another so that the second piece (4) is couplable above the base piece (2) in one or more predetermined positions. The first piece (3) comprises a third coupling part (32) complementary to the fourth coupling part (41) and which faces in an opposite direction to the second coupling part (31).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: PR Rubino S.r.l.
    Inventor: Attilio Rubino
  • Patent number: 11470769
    Abstract: Screening belt unit is provided for a harvesting machine or harvested material transport device, and in particular for a root crop harvester or root crop transport belt, and for screening extraneous material out of a mixture of harvested material and extraneous material. A screening belt has at least two endless carriers, preferably in the form of carrier belts or chains, between which screening bars are arranged in a direction transversely to the conveying direction. The screening bars forming a plurality of screening bar units that comprise in particular in each case at least two screening bars. At least a part of the screening bars is fixed so as to be movable relative to the endless carriers. The screening belt unit has a positioning means which is arranged at least partially along the screening belt and acts on the movable screening bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventors: Julian Ross, Josef Gerdes, Heinrich Hönemann, Christoph Halbrügge
  • Patent number: 11465852
    Abstract: A flatwire conveyor belt assembly includes pickets defining a leading link and a trailing link, wherein adjacent pickets are coupled with a cross-rod that extends through openings formed in the leading link and in the trailing link of adjacent pickets. Top plates are coupled to the pickets and define a conveying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventors: George H. Messick, Jr., Thomas O. Perdue, Remco van der Ende, Melody E. Fernaays
  • Patent number: 11331749
    Abstract: A Support device (14) for storing or transporting single sheets or stacks of a packaging material is described. It comprises a multitude of slats (32) being arranged on a basic component (34), wherein the slats (32) are in an upright position and spaced from each other in a generally parallel manner such that respective side contour contact sections (36) of the slats (32) form a substantially flat support surface configured to support the single sheets or stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Bobst Mex SA
    Inventors: Paul Hornick, Francesco Pessotto
  • Patent number: 10994937
    Abstract: A conveyor including a conveyor belt and a first cleat. The conveyor belt has a first side edge that is opposite a second side edge. The conveyor belt also has a first belt end and a second belt end that is opposite the first belt end. The first cleat is attached to the conveyor belt. The first cleat includes a main cleat portion and a first tail cleat portion. The main cleat portion has a main cleat first end and a main cleat second end. The main cleat first end is closer to the first side edge than the main cleat second end. The main cleat portion is oriented at an angle of less than about 90 degrees with respect to the first side edge so that the main cleat first end is closer to the first belt end than the main cleat second end. The first tail cleat portion includes a tail cleat first end and a tail cleat second end. The tail cleat first end is closer to the first belt end than the tail cleat second end. The tail cleat second end is proximate the main cleat second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: WCCO Belting, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad R. Haugen, Travis Mackey, Vineet Saxena, Carter Pedersen
  • Patent number: 10914360
    Abstract: A toothed belt for a movable roof element of a vehicle which may have a toothed belt body made of plastic, a coupling element, and an interface of the toothed belt, which interface is formed by the coupling element, for coupling to the movable roof element, wherein—the coupling element and the toothed belt body are coupled to each other in a form fitting manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Ulrich Schreiber, Andreas Rockelmann
  • Patent number: 10874053
    Abstract: A draper belt (8) having a carry layer (14), a pulley cover layer (13), and a reinforcing layer (12) which is situated between the carry layer (14) and the pulley cover layer (13). The draper belt (8) has a first edge (30) and a second edge (31). The carry layer (14) includes a plurality of cleats (7) which run from the first edge (30) to the second edge (31) of the draper belt. The cleats (7) are reinforced with reinforcing rods which are comprised of a cured rubbery polymer which includes at least 3 phr of reinforcing fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Alan C. Echtenkamp, David W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10676281
    Abstract: A draper belt (8) having a carry layer (14), a pulley cover layer (13), and a reinforcing layer (12) which is situated between the carry layer (14) and the pulley cover layer (13). The carry layer (14) includes a plurality of cleats (7) which are reinforced with reinforcing rods (15). The draper belt (8) has a first edge section (16), a second edge section (17), and a center section (18) located between the first edge section (16) and the second edge section (17). The first edge section (16) and the second edge section (17) of the draper belt (8) each have a modulus that is at least three times greater than the modulus of the center section (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Alan C. Echtenkamp
  • Patent number: 10647513
    Abstract: A conveyor belt (10) of closed-path type comprising a plurality of transport plates (50), defining a transport surface for the material in a forward run of the conveyor belt itself, which plates are arranged in sequence along a longitudinal transport direction (L), wherein each plate bears a first (55) and a second (56) longitudinal end portion thereat, in said forward run, it is respectively superimposed on an adjacent plate arranged upstream of the sequence with respect to the longitudinal transport direction and placed under an adjacent plate arranged downstream in such sequence, or vice versa; and an annular structure (51) for connecting said plates being arranged, in said forward run, below said plates, wherein at least one of said plates, at said first or second longitudinal portion of superimposing or placing under an adjacent plate, has a cross section with thickness (s) decreased with respect to a remaining portion of the plate itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Magaldi Power S.P.A.
    Inventors: Mario Magaldi, Domenico Casillo
  • Patent number: 10617060
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting head comprises a frame that supports a cutter configured to cut an agricultural product. The agricultural harvesting head also comprises a set of laterally extending and forward tilted feeding tracks that guide the cut agricultural product to a center of the agricultural harvesting head. The set of feeding tracks comprise a base web of elastomer-impregnated fabric, elongated cleats that extend upward from the base web and extend across substantially the entire width of the base web and a plurality of textured protrusions that extend upward from the web between adjacent elongate cleats. The textured protrusions protrude upward from the base web a distance sufficient to catch and hold grain rolling downhill in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the feeding track and extend over substantially the entire width of the base web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Anthony M. Hasenour, Daniel S. Hoffman, Anthony J. Washburn
  • Patent number: 10591020
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power transmission belt provided with a tension member, a tension member-supporting layer, a tension rubber layer, and a compression rubber layer, the belt having a plurality of cog portions, in which the tension member is formed of an aramid fiber, the compression rubber layer is formed of a vulcanized rubber composition containing a rubber component and aramid short fibers embedded in the vulcanized rubber composition with being arranged in a width direction of the belt, the power transmission belt has a strain of from 0.5 to 0.8% when compressed under a stress of 2.0 N/mm2 in the width direction, and the power transmission belt has a strain of from 0.35 to 0.7% when pulled under a load of 2 kN in the lengthwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsuboshi Belting Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Kageyama, Susumu Takaba, Hisato Ishiguro, Hideyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10427879
    Abstract: A conveyor structure includes a first conveyor structure layer, a core structure layer, and a second conveyor structure layer. The core structure layer is provided on the first conveyor belt structure and includes a rope layer, a plurality of first wefts, a plurality of second wefts and a cloth layer. The rope layer may be provided on the first conveyor structure layer and includes a plurality of warp ropes. The cloth layer may be disposed above the rope layer. The plurality of second wefts and the plurality of first wefts may be obliquely intertwined with each other and wrapped on the rope layer, or on the cloth layer, or on the rope layer and the cloth layer. The second conveyor belt structure layer may be provided on the core structure layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Jia-Tian Lin
  • Patent number: 10390487
    Abstract: A conveyor belt for an agricultural harvesting head includes a base web of elastomer-impregnated fabric; elongate cleats that extend upward from the base web and extend across substantially the entire width of the base web; and a plurality of textured protrusions that extend upward from the web between adjacent elongate cleats, wherein the textured protrusions are organized in rows of pockets between adjacent cleats and extend over substantially the entire width of the base web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Anthony M. Hasenour, Daniel S. Hoffman, Anthony J. Washburn
  • Patent number: 10273087
    Abstract: A conveyor belt, in particular a tubular conveyor belt or a pipe conveyor belt or a pouch conveyor belt, which has a belt body that has a carrying-side cover sheet, a profiling that is formed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the carrying-side cover sheet being formed on the carrying-side cover sheet, the profiling having a number of transverse-strip profiling regions along a longitudinal direction of the carrying-side cover sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Andrey Minkin
  • Patent number: 10233022
    Abstract: A draper belt (8) having a carry layer (14), a pulley cover layer (13), and a reinforcing layer (12) which is disposed between the carry layer (14) and the pulley cover layer (13). The draper belt (8) has a first edge (30) and a second edge (31), and cleats (7) on the carry layer (14) which run from the first edge (30) to the second edge (31) of the draper belt (8). The reinforcing rods (15, 18, 19, 20) contain metal. In some other aspects of the disclosure, two methods for ensuring adhesion between the reinforcing rods (15, 18, 19, 20) and the cleats (7) of the draper belt (8) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: ContiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: David W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9791388
    Abstract: A conveyor system for use with a scanning apparatus for scanning of contained materials such as liquids within containers such as bottles. The system includes a transverse conveyor having a conveyor surface, a plurality of container support modules each adapted to seat on the conveyor surface. Each container support module includes a lower surface that sits upon the conveyor surface of the conveyor and upper part in which a container-receiving recessed portion is defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Kromek Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Keith Powell, John Atkins
  • Patent number: 9622412
    Abstract: An endless belt for a side conveyor (104, 106) of a draper header (100) has a web width an upper, crop conveying surface that is generally planar over substantially its entire extent. The web comprises a forward edge portion that is configured to be covered by a crop ramp. A plurality of protrusions (300, 400, 500, 502, 504, 602, 606) is fixed to and extends upward from the forward edge portion. The side conveyor (104, 106) comprises the endless belt and the crop ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Anthony M Hasenour, Corwin M Puryk
  • Patent number: 9617079
    Abstract: A conveying device including a circulatorily led, extensively extended conveying element that forms a conveying section with a conveying surface and a return section, a front head-end region, in which the conveying element is deflected from the conveying section into the return section in the movement direction of the conveying element, and a braking device that exerts a braking effect upon the driven conveying element. The braking device includes a braking surface that, by way of the sliding friction with the conveying element, at least partly exerts the braking effect upon the driven conveying element. The braking device is designed and arranged such that it exerts the braking effect upon the conveying element outside the front head-end region as well as outside the conveying section. The braking surface is designed in an essentially bent manner and is wrapped by a part of the conveying element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Robert Aliesch
  • Patent number: 9555970
    Abstract: A compound balanced woven-wire conveyor belt including a plurality of interwoven helically-wound spirals and connector rods, and a plurality of spiral wires forming protruding tangs on a surface of the woven-wire belt. A conveyor system further includes at least one rotatable member including an outer cylindrical surface symmetrically disposed relative to a central axis of rotation of the rotatable member and a plurality of cavities on the outer cylindrical surface for engaging the protruding tangs of the woven-wire belt, each of the protruding tangs substantially corresponding to the cavities of the rotatable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Franzoni, George H. Messick, Jr., Robert E. Maine, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9528330
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly for transporting tubular onto a drilling rig includes a plurality of conveyor sections coupled together end to end. The conveyor sections are configured to receive and transport the tubular. Each of the plurality of conveyor sections includes a conveyor belt having treads for transporting the tubular along the conveyor section. The conveyor assembly also includes an actuation assembly configured to transition the plurality of conveyor sections between a first orientation and a second orientation. The conveyor sections are not aligned in the first orientation, and the conveyor sections are substantially aligned in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin James Nikiforuk
  • Patent number: 9517886
    Abstract: A belt includes one or more devices that prevent roll-back of material being conveyed by the belt wherein the one or more devices are formed as a pattern on the belt. The pattern includes one of the one or more devices being offset from at least another of the one or more devices. The pattern is at distance from another pattern of the one or more devices formed on the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian James Petersen, Shawn W. Gerdeman
  • Patent number: 9475642
    Abstract: A flat wire conveyor belt and system includes a plurality of spaced tractive rods and a plurality of rows of pickets transversely disposed with respect to a direction of travel and interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, each of the rows of pickets including a plurality of first links and a plurality of second links, the plurality of first links have a first spacing and the plurality of second links have a second spacing, the first spacing being less than the second spacing. The system further includes a sprocket, wherein the plurality of spaced tractive rods terminate with clinched ends within the plurality of first links disposed on the outer edges of the flat wire conveyor belt, and the first links are dimensioned for receiving the clinched ends and the sprocket teeth therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: George Howard Messick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9463930
    Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a carrying-side cover plate and a running-side cover plate. The cover plates conjointly define a belt body having a plurality of reinforcement elements embedded therein. The belt body has edge zones and is closable so as to cause the edge zones to overlap and be in mutual contact engagement to form a tube conveyor belt or a pocket conveyor belt. The carrying-side cover plate has a chevron profile arrangement which includes a plurality of diagonal elements extending in both a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction of the conveyor belt. Each two of the diagonal elements conjointly defines a pair with multiple pairs defining a V-formation having a tip aligned in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: ConiTech Transportbandsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Andrey Minkin
  • Patent number: 9409718
    Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of modules hingedly connected together includes a first type of module including raised ribs arranged in columns and a second type of module including chock segments aligned with the columns. A transfer device includes fingers aligned with gaps between the chock segments and valleys between the columns. Each chock segment is substantially triangular in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Soren A. Pedersen, Miranda R. Kovach, R. Scott Dailey, John E. Wenzel
  • Patent number: 9248970
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a belt assembly including a flexible belt with an improved belt attachment. The belt attachment includes two crossbars spaced along the length of the belt. The crossbars retain bearings that allow predetermined movement in six degrees of freedom. The crossbars are connected by a rigid body that attaches to the bearings. Implements that are attached to the rigid body are simply supported but restrained in pitching rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Natel Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham D. Schneider, Erick M. Davidson
  • Patent number: 9199797
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module for a modular conveyor, comprising a body part extending transversely to a direction, having a substantially closed, flat top surface and a bottom. On the top surface, a receiving provision is provided for coupling a mounting frame. The receiving provision is provided with one or more stop elements projecting relative to the top surface, with each stop element provided with a flange. The mounting frame is provided with one or more wings, with each wing configured to engage under a respective flange upon placement of the mounting frame on the receiving provision. The receiving provision and the mounting frame are configured for placement of the mounting frame on the module and removal from the module, respectively, in an insertion direction which is directed substantially transversely to the directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Hendrik Mijndert Menke, Remco van der Ende
  • Publication number: 20140262692
    Abstract: A conveyer belt having a plurality of raised crescent shaped protrusions extending upward from its flat body and arranged in an array of aligned vertical columns and horizontal rows. Each protrusion has rounded surfaces with no sharp edges, which helps prevent damage to produce as the produce falls upon the conveyer belt. The crescent shape of the protrusions along with the sloped and rounded surfaces form a plurality of pockets spaced and staggered across the conveying surface of the conveyer belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Robert L. Williamson
  • Patent number: 8827070
    Abstract: A conveying device for a root crop harvester has an endless conveying member combined of monolithic structural elements connected sequentially to each other in a belt shape. The structural elements each have an entrainment member and a support surface supporting objects to be transported on the endless conveying member. The structural elements each have at least one connecting zone. The structural elements in the connected position each form a flat element connected sequentially at the connecting zone, respectively. In the connected position of the structural elements, the entrainment members extend transversely to a conveying direction of the endless conveying member and between the transversely extending entrainment members the support surfaces are positioned, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klemens Kalverkamp
  • Patent number: 8789687
    Abstract: A belt tracking control device for a conveyor device is provided, in particular for agricultural round balers, having at least one roller and at least one traction element which is guided over the roller and having at least one edge region which extends from the side edge of the traction element in the direction of the width thereof. At least one guide roller is provided through which the edge region can be deflected from the movement plane of the traction element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Jean Viaud
  • Patent number: 8764367
    Abstract: A separator separates sheets from a bundle. Slack in the strap used to raise and lower a clamp is used to determine when the clamp reaches the bundle. A non-horizontal conveyor tilts beneath the clamp to receive multiple articles, and then tilts over another bin to deposit the articles. The second bin includes an angled surface, which is straightened to shift the articles for clamping. The clamp is supported by, but not attached to, a support connected with the drive. When the clamp reaches the pile, the clamp stops but the support may continue to move. The clamp is tiltable. The article is transferred by an air jet onto a surface with a roller separated from the surface. Upon transfer, the roller forms a nip with the surface. The article is deposited on an exit conveyor having a flexible, raised portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Stanley G. McCabe
  • Publication number: 20140008274
    Abstract: A conveyor system and methods for conveying and unstacking flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes an inclined conveyor belt delivering packages to a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The inclined conveyor belt has stop elements spaced apart along the belt's length and is advanced in stop-and-go fashion to help unstack piggy-backed packages as they are conveyed up the incline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Fourney, Stephen G. Wargo
  • Publication number: 20130233677
    Abstract: The invention provides a component feed device (2) enabling metered delivery of components to a workstation, the device comprising a conveyor belt (6) having an upper strand (7) and a lower strand (8), drive means (9, 10, 13, 14, 16) for driving the conveyor belt (6) in a loop, and holder means configured to contain the components on the upper strand (7) of the conveyor belt (6). The upper strand (7) is configured to form a container, in particular a bowl-shaped container, having an upstream face (11a), a bottom (11b), and a downstream face (11c), said upstream and downstream faces being configured to encourage components to move down under gravity into the bottom. The conveyor belt (6) has an outside face (6a) and an inside face (6b), the outside face having component retaining means (19) configured to retain the components resting on said outside face (6a) at least when they are situated on the downstream face (11c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Hervé Deflandre
  • Patent number: 8479484
    Abstract: The invention includes the steps of disposing at least a portion of the stream containing leafstalks (P) and berries (G) on a continuous conveyor belt (5) in a longitudinal direction (L2), disposing the portion on a discontinuous conveyor belt (6) longitudinally aligned with the continuous belt. The discontinuous belt has vertical (7) openings with a geometry that is configured for enabling berries (G) to pass through them and to retain leafstalks (P) on the discontinuous belt, thereby eliminating leafstalks (P) remaining on the discontinuous belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: CNH France S. A.
    Inventors: Christine Nakas, Christophe R. Defurne
  • Patent number: 8434612
    Abstract: The postal sorting machine has sorting outlets in which mailpieces are accumulated, said sorting outlets being disposed in line along a certain longitudinal axis. It further includes a recirculation device for recirculating the mailpieces stored in the sorting outlets, this device comprising a belt (40) mounted to move along the sorting outlets and to which cleats (41, 42) are fastened to define a succession of compartments (4a, 4b, 4c) that face respective ones of the sorting outlets, each compartment being arranged to store, on edge, mailpieces taken from a corresponding sorting outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Solystic
    Inventor: Damien Hugues
  • Publication number: 20120285801
    Abstract: An improved conveyor belt is provided for use in a tubular conveyor. The belt includes a plurality of cleat sets extending at a non-perpendicular angle across the axis of the belt. Adjacent cleat sets are offset with respect to one another, such that the axis of adjacent cleat sets are non-parallel. Each cleat set includes a plurality of spaced apart, upstanding cleat members. The orientation of the cleat sets helps maintain material toward the center of the belt, while the orientation of the cleat members eliminates vacuum behind the cleat members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: MERIDIAN MANUFACTURING GROUP
    Inventors: JUAN NEUFELD, BERNIE THIESSEN
  • Patent number: 8109383
    Abstract: An assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles including a magnet having north and south poles, an axis between the north and south poles, the poles forming an annular belt support; a powered conveyor belt extending over the belt support for rotating the magnet, the magnet being segmented along the polar axis, a first polar axis segment being a magnet mounting plate, a plurality of second polar axis segments being sub-magnets, each such sub-magnet overlying or underlying the magnet mounting plate having north and south poles, and having a polar axis, and a third polar axis segment being a sheath extending annularly about the magnet's first and second polar axis segments, the sheath having a radially outer surface forming the magnet's annular belt support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Bunting Magnetics Co.
    Inventors: Donald A. Suderman, Barry Voorhees, Paul Scott
  • Patent number: 7954630
    Abstract: A method of attaching a pawl to a region of a surface of a conveyor belt comprising pre-stressing the surface region and fixing the pawl to the surface region while it is in the pre-stressed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Neopost Technologies
    Inventor: Christopher Hugh Williams
  • Patent number: 7690499
    Abstract: A tubular conveyor for conveying grain or seed includes an intake end having a first roller and a discharge end having a second roller. A tubular portion is disposed between the intake end and the discharge end. A continuous flexible conveyor belt is coupled with the first and second rollers. Seal means are provided for sealing edges of the conveyor belt at a point approximately where the conveyor belt meets at least one of the first and second rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Unverferth Manufacturing Company Inc.
    Inventors: David Richard Smith, Michael J. Hilvers, Brian James Petersen
  • Patent number: 7681712
    Abstract: In an alignment conveyor apparatus including an input conveyor (1), an output conveyor (2) with a flap sensor (14), a single or a plurality of alignment conveyors (3), a product sensor (12), and a control unit (7), the control unit (7) includes an alignment conveyor controller (71) and an output conveyor controller (72), the alignment conveyor controller (71) includes a product position manager (712), a position correction calculator (713), and a position correction instruction creator (715), the output conveyor controller (72) includes an output conveyor position manager (721).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Koji Hara, Kengo Egami
  • Patent number: 7597189
    Abstract: A cap sorter for lifting and orienting caps includes a hopper section for holding randomly oriented caps. A conveyor belt travels along a belt path that extends through the hopper section. The belt path extending from the hopper section and moving upward therefrom. A plurality of spaced apart cleat attachment locations are located along a length of the conveyor belt, each cleat attachment location formed by a plurality of button members extending from an outer surface of the conveyor belt. Each button member includes an enlarged head portion. Each cleat attachment location has a cleat attached thereto with each cleat having a plurality of slots for matingly engaging with a corresponding one of the button members to removably hold the cleat to the conveyor belt when the enlarged head of the button member is located at a securing location of its corresponding slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Fowler Products Company LLC
    Inventors: Dan Davis Hinsley, Arnold D. Cotney, III
  • Publication number: 20090223878
    Abstract: Method and system for batching of supplied objects in batches in such a manner that a batch fulfils predefined criteria as regards the number of objects, weight, orientation and/or type(s) of objects, wherein the weight of each object is determined the objects are transported by means for object transport, a selective transferral of the objects from said means for object transport to batching means is performed by means of a plurality of handlings means of the robot type in as a group or batch of objects is produced in consideration of said predefined criteria, and wherein said group or batch of objects is transported further on by means of means for batch transportation. Preferably, said means for batch transportation may comprise a plurality of conveyor means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: SCANVAEGT INTERNATIONAL A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Grundtvig, Mikael Krogh, Henrik F. Skyum, Ulrich Carlin Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7500555
    Abstract: A link plate for a metal waste conveyer is composed of plural flat plates, and each of them has its lengthwise opposite side edges respectively provided with plural staggered pivotal members and opposite lateral ends respectively compressed to form a vertical side plate. Before the side plate is compression molded, the flat plate has its opposite short sides respectively compressed to form a bar projection with a preset length and thickness. The central line of the bar projection is parallel to the lengthwise central line of the flat plate and perpendicular to the bending line of the side plate. The bar projection has its opposite ends respectively positioned on the side plate and the flat plate, having one end on the side plate located lower than the upper edge of the side plate to form a space therebetween, and the other end on the flat plate extended to a preset length for reinforcing the supporting force of the side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Miaw Yeou Metal Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Chin-Lien Liao
  • Patent number: 7299912
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a work piece from a beginning point to an end point in a longitudinal direction with at least one process step applied in between to such work piece is provided according to the invention. The work piece is propelled in the longitudinal direction over a combination of grooved rollers and conveyor belt units in series. Grooved guide means with, e.g., V, U, or square shapes that are machined into the surface of the rollers prevent the work piece from moving laterally as it is transported in the longitudinal direction, and maintain precise spacing between a plurality of work piece strands undergoing simultaneous transport by the conveyor system. The conveyor belt unit located between the grooved rollers inhibits rotation of the work piece as it is transported in the longitudinal direction. This conveyor system is good for treating the entire exterior surface area of the work piece in a uniform manner, such as coating the surface of rebar, dowel bar, hollow tube, or pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Midwest Pipe Coating, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy L. Van Kley
  • Patent number: 7124879
    Abstract: A flexible endless belt mountable on rotating elements has an outer and inner surface between first and second lateral edges and a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart laterally oriented upraised flights on the outer surface. Each flight has a single medial portion offset in a rearward longitudinal direction from portions of the flight immediately lateral to the medial portion. Protrusions on the inner surface engage the rotating elements for endlessly rotating the endless belt in a forward longitudinal direction. Such an endless belt is particularly useful on a control apparatus for a stone slinger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Maguire Super-Shield LTD
    Inventor: Dennis R. Maguire
  • Patent number: 6919122
    Abstract: A flexible composite with integral flights is provided and methods for making the same. The composite is made from, for example, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene or other polymer. The composites are useful for making articles of manufacture, in particular, conveyor belts for use in high temperature food processing. The conveyor belts are an improvement over the prior art in that they prevent slippage of the articles conveyed, may be manufactured at low cost and are easy to clean.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation
    Inventors: Frank M. Keese, Kevin C. Bauler, Gerard T. Buss, John A. Effenberger
  • Patent number: 6854590
    Abstract: A conveyor belt assembly (10) for conveying an object to be portioned (54) by a fluid jet (52) is disclosed. The conveyor belt assembly (10) includes a conveyor belt formed from at least a first and a second picket (12) each having a length comprised of a sequence of geometrically shaped links (20) disposed transversely across the conveyor belt. The pickets (12) are disposed in a nested relationship to each other. The pickets (12) include upper edge portions (22) that form a conveying surface (42) for supporting and advancing the object to be portioned (54). The upper edge portions (22) are tapered in the upward direction to reduce dispersion of the fluid jet (52) during impingement of the fluid jet (52) on the conveying surface (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman A. Rudy, Daniel F. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6811021
    Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with a unitary sideguard. The sideguard extends upward perpendicularly from the top conveying surface of a plastic module body. The sideguard extends longitudinally along the conveying surface with a leading edge laterally offset from a trailing edge. Wedge-shaped indentations formed at the leading and trailing edges allow the sideguards of leading and trailing belt modules in a conveyor belt to mesh and to overlap without interference as the belt backflexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Andrew A. Corley
  • Publication number: 20040178049
    Abstract: A conveyor system for moving articles, such as microtiter plates and the like, includes an endless belt with dividing ribs spaced to accommodate and position the plates to be moved. The belt is driven by a reversible servo motor. The system comprises removable workstations associated with the belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Roger B. Hertz, Daniel C. McCrackin
  • Publication number: 20040149545
    Abstract: A produce harvesting apparatus of the invention includes a conveyor system having conveyor belt driven over rollers by a drive element. The belt includes cushioned produce holders suitable for maintaining produce products in a desired orientation on the belt during operation. The apparatus includes a coring station suitable for coring harvested lettuce. The apparatus includes a loading station wherein the cored lettuce is loaded onto the cushioned produce holders and carried to an application station where shelf life extending materials are applied to the cut portions of the lettuce. The processed lettuce then proceeds to an unloading station where it is removed from the conveyor belt. Other inventive aspects include the conveyor belt having cushioned produce holders and the coring station as well as methods of implementing the disclosed devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: AG Harvesting Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Salvadore P. Tarantino, Robert T. Elliot, Kevin K. Le
  • Patent number: RE42361
    Abstract: A plastic conveyor belt module with a unitary sideguard. The sideguard extends upward perpendicularly from the top conveying surface of a plastic module body. The sideguard extends longitudinally along the conveying surface with a leading edge laterally offset from a trailing edge. Wedge-shaped indentations formed at the leading and trailing edges allow the sideguards of leading and trailing belt modules in a conveyor belt to mesh and to overlap without interference as the belt backflexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Andrew A. Corley