With Means Operating Successive Sections In Timed Relation Patents (Class 198/576)
  • Patent number: 10622662
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for stacking battery plates comprising a delivery conveyor for supplying battery plates sequentially along a delivery path. The delivery conveyor includes a plurality of spaced apart plate carriers each configured to support at least one battery plate in use, the plate carriers defining a series of gaps between adjacent plate carriers, wherein each gap is larger than the battery plate. The apparatus further includes a stop mechanism, configured to selectively intercept the delivery path at a plurality of indexed stop positions without impeding the delivery conveyor; wherein when the stop mechanism intercepts the delivery path at a selected one of the stop positions in use, it interrupts the movement of the battery plates on the delivery conveyor causing the battery plate(s) to move off the respective plate carrier and pass through the subsequent gap of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: TBS ENGINEERING LIMITED
    Inventor: David Cox
  • Patent number: 10105924
    Abstract: Provided is a blank feeding/processing apparatus that includes a pressing unit for pressing a non-contact section of a conveyor belt to form an inclined section in the non-contact section when a box is folded. The apparatus for feeding and processing a blank having a plate shape, includes: a feeding unit including a lower feeding unit including a conveyor belt for conveying the blank and a plurality of feeding rollers for moving the conveyor belt, including a non-contact section that does not contact the feeding rollers in the conveyor belt, and arranged below the blank and an upper feeding unit arranged above the blank; and a pressing unit for protruding a tab of the blank to be processed, by applying a pressure in the non-contact section of the conveyor belt to form an inclined section in the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ACE MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chul Lee
  • Patent number: 9410740
    Abstract: A baking transmission mechanism includes a dustproof assembly, which includes a box, a main transport wheel, and a drive unit. The first transportation assembly includes a first oven assembly, a first feed wheel, a first discharge wheel, a first pulley assembly, and a second pulley assembly. The first feed wheel and the first discharge wheel are located at a top of the first oven assembly, and the first pulley assembly and the second pulley assembly are located at opposite sides of the first oven assembly. The second transportation assembly includes a second oven assembly, a second feed wheel, a second discharge wheel, and a third pulley assembly, wherein the second feed wheel and the second discharge wheel are located at a top of the second oven assembly, and the third pulley assembly is adjacent to the second pulley assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
    Inventors: Fei Yu, Jian-Ping Jin, Bing Yu
  • Publication number: 20140311864
    Abstract: A conveyor system comprising a synchronization unit having a first conveyor belt, a second conveyor belt disposed adjacent to the first conveyor belt, an inlet end and an outlet end. The system further comprises a joint shuttle disposed between the first conveyor belt and the second conveyor belt, each of the first and second conveyor belts having a variable length while the distance between the inlet end and the outlet end is fixed. A discharge conveyor belt is disposed upstream the inlet end and is operating at a first velocity (VD). At a time T1, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T1) is equal to the velocity of the discharge conveyor belt (VD) and, at a time T2, the velocity of the first conveyor belt (V1T2) is equal to the velocity of the second conveyor belt (Vm), without relative movement between the conveyor belts and objects conveyed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: PEMCO INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Francis Ullmer, Terry Lee Eernissee, Eric Edward Walker
  • Patent number: 8590358
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming a metal container including one or more devices that are electronically coordinated to perform operations of local and/or extensive deformation over metal containers and one or more interface devices (12) wherein the motion among the devices is accomplished in an indirect way through elements adapted to coordinate and synchronize these same devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Frattini S.p.A. Construzioni Meccaniche
    Inventors: Roberto Frattini, Anthony Kendrick Nixon
  • Patent number: 8549866
    Abstract: A cooling tunnel includes an infeed port for feeding objects, a discharge port for discharging objects, successive treatment stations for treating the objects with a cooling medium, and a conveyor system for transporting the objects to be cooled from the infeed port to the discharge port, with the conveyor system travelling through the individual treatment stations. The conveyor system has a first section running through several treatment stations, the first section extending from the infeed port to a turnaround station, a second section running through several treatment stations, the second section extending from the turnaround station to the discharge port, as well as a return section, which is arranged before the discharge port and connects a discharge-side zone of the second section with an infeed-side zone of the first section, to selectively either discharge objects or to cool them further. A method for operating a cooling tunnel is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: airinotec GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hummrich
  • Publication number: 20130220773
    Abstract: A process machine and a related method for treating and/or inspecting printed circuit boards, solar cells or the like, has at least one transport device for transporting the substrates and at least one process device for processing the substrates. The transport device and process device are both separate, self-supporting, modular units. The modular units can be selectively combined with one another in such a way that the transport device undertakes the transportation of the substrates through the process device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: EKRA AUTOMATISIERUNGSSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventors: Jakob Szekeresch, Klaus Oppelt, Gerd Krause
  • Patent number: 8505712
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SST Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. Andreae, Anthony C. Scoville
  • Publication number: 20130075230
    Abstract: A system for loading and/or unloading trays includes a first conveyor configured to convey the trays in a direction of transport. A lowering device is configured to lower the trays from the first conveyor onto a strip conveyor. A lift-out device is configured to lift the trays from the strip conveyor onto a second conveyor. The strip conveyor includes strips disposed perpendicularly to an upper surface of the strip conveyor and the trays include slots configured to receive the strips such that the strips perpendicularly emerge into corresponding slots while a respective one of the trays is being lowered onto the strip conveyor by the lowering device and perpendicularly emerge from the corresponding slots while the respective one of the trays is being lifted from the strip conveyor by the lift-out device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Peter Tiebel, Laura Eckert, Helmut Schuesslburner
  • Patent number: 8342315
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying products to a destination has a revolving conveyor chain embodied by entraining elements revolving along a first continuous track and have a certain chain pitch. A revolving conveying device is disposed with grippers arranged at a distance therebetween on the conveying device revolving around a second continuous track. A first zone of the first and second continuous track transfers products from the first continuous track on the conveyor chain to the second continuous track via the grippers. A second zone of the second continuous track delivers products from the grippers at the destination. A third zone of the first and second continuous track returns products not needed at the destination from the grippers on the second continuous track to the conveyor chain on the first continuous track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Cyrille Fuellemann, Daniel Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8240461
    Abstract: A bolt supply apparatus (1) recognizes images of bolts conveyed by a conveyor (22) using a camera (24) and feeds the recognized bolts to a next operation step using a robot (26). Bolts to be conveyed from a hopper (10) through a spiral feeder (14) are temporarily stored in a first storage box (16). Weight of the first storage box (16) is measured by a first weight measuring device (18). When the first weight measuring device (18) measures a given weight, the bolts of the first storage box (16) are supplied to the conveyor (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Asano, Yoichi Izawa, Takayuki Motojima, Katsumi Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8235202
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus with a first conveyor and a second conveyor is used a the welding apparatus and a welding method for container bodies and in particular can bodies between which conveyors the object to be welded is handed over. A control unit determines the take over position and/or the conveying travel of the second conveyor and controls the conveyors accordingly, so that the take over occurs at the determined position and/or with the determined conveying travel of the second conveyor. This allows an easy and swift changing of the welding apparatus to different sizes of the objects to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Soudronic AG
    Inventor: Peter Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20120160635
    Abstract: Workpiece conveying equipment provided with a workpiece conveying traveling body composed of a workpiece support carriage and an auxiliary carriage adjacent to at least one of the front and the rear in a traveling direction of the workpiece support carriage, a first conveying path where the workpiece support carriage and the auxiliary carriage travel integrally, a second conveying path where only the workpiece support carriage travels perpendicularly and horizontally with respect to the traveling direction of the first conveying path, and a carriage diverging means provided at a branching point from the first conveying path to the second conveying path so as to separate the workpiece support carriage from the auxiliary carriage and to diverge the workpiece support carriage into the second conveying path perpendicularly and horizontally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Masahiro Ooe
  • Patent number: 8196733
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for product changeover in a filling plant and to a bugger system for carrying out the method. A first product is passed through a primary buffer and then a second product is initially buffer-stored in a secondary buffer, and so a clear separation of the products is achieved and a product changeover can be carried out in upstream and downstream production machines without production coming to a standstill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hahn
  • Publication number: 20110259709
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor system for the onward conveyance of bottles or similar containers (2) from a container treatment machine, comprising at least one container guide (9) and at least one conveyor element moving the containers (2) along the container guide in a conveying direction (A), characterized in that the container guide (9) is designed for hanging guidance or neck guidance of the containers (2), and that that conveyor element provided is at least one screw conveyor (10), which can be driven by rotation about a screw axis (AS) and which is designed to interact with the upper side of the containers (2) above the container guide (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Grossmann
  • Patent number: 7909750
    Abstract: A device is provided for feeding horizontally oriented packages or bags at a regular interval to a zipper profile attaching device. The loose packages or bags are placed onto a servo-driven lugged chain conveyor wherein the lugs are evenly spaced at the nominal desired center-to-center spacing of the packages or bags. The servo-driven lugged chain conveyor feeds the packages or bags to be captured between upper and lower secondary constant velocity conveyors. The lower secondary constant velocity conveyor includes an encoder which is used to slave the servo of the servo-driven lugged chain conveyor, with an adjustable programmable ratio. This achieves a consistent center-to-center distance of the horizontally oriented packages or bags which are then fed to a zipper profile attaching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Clifton R. Howell, David C. Wallace, Adam N. Caplan
  • Patent number: 7726467
    Abstract: A conveyor coupler system for efficiently increasing the longevity and productivity of the conveyor. The conveyor coupler system generally includes a coupler including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from the second portion. The first portion includes a first connecting portion, wherein the first connecting portion extends within the first portion and includes at least one slot. The second portion includes a second connecting portion extending within the second portion and including a plurality of ridge members. The first connecting portion connects to a first planetary gear structure of a conveyor unit and the second connecting portion connects to a second planetary gear structure of the conveyor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventors: Albert G. Schoonover, Gordon L. Schoonover
  • 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: 7530446
    Abstract: A sheet feed assembly with a pair of rollers (2,3) to feed sheets of media along a feed path. The roller pair has a drive roller 2 and an idler roller 3. The drive roller 2 is mounted between two bearings 4 and 5 for rotation about its longitudinal axis. The idler roller 3 is shorter than the drive roller 2 and is held against the drive roller by two guide formations 7 and 8 at either end. The guide formations bias the idler roller against the drive roller while allowing some lateral displacement of the idler roller from the drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Garry Raymond Jackson, Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 7185422
    Abstract: A component mounting apparatus and a component mounting method which improve accuracy and a rate of placement of components onto a circuit-formed member. A component sucked by a suction nozzle is recognized at a component recognizing position, a deviation of the component from a normal suction status is determined on the basis of component recognition information obtained from this recognition of the component, and a velocity of conveyance of the component for a period of time following the recognition of the component and preceding placement of the component is controlled on basis of a magnitude of the deviation. By this control, the accuracy and rate of placement of components onto the circuit-formed member can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunobu Sakai, Makoto Nakashima, Wataru Hirai, Yasuyuki Ishitani
  • Patent number: 6897625
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transported goods which are transported with a preset transport speed and method for operating the conveyor system are described. The individual conveyers of the system are driven by asynchronous motors. Sensors associated with the conveyors measure the actual transport speed of the transported goods on conveyors to determine the dependence of the actual transport speed on the load, such as the weight of the transported goods. A controller adjusts the speed of the conveyors based on the signals received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brixius, Dominik Gräfer, Albrecht Hoene, Gerhard Hoffmann, Rainer Junk, Günther Spitzer, Friedrich Trautner
  • Patent number: 6865973
    Abstract: A workpiece conveying and feeding unit for conveying a long workpiece in the lengthwise direction to feed the workpiece to a cutting machine is disposed in the rear of the cutting machine. A workpiece conveying unit conveys the workpiece in the lengthwise direction of the workpiece into a workpiece conveying passage of the workpiece conveying and feeding unit. When a plurality of workpieces placed on the workpiece conveying unit are sequentially conveyed to the workpiece conveying passage of the workpiece conveying and feeding unit to convey the workpieces to the cutting machine, the side surface of the workpiece which is conveyed to the workpiece conveying passage of the workpiece conveying and feeding unit by the workpiece conveying unit is detected by a side-surface detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Takayoshi Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20040050668
    Abstract: A link for connecting an upstream and a downstream multi-turret processing machines, a method for linking an upstream and a downstream multi-processing machines, and a multi-turret processing, the link comprising: a base; a bridge disposed on the base and forming a cross-piece for a T to the base to allow connection on one end of the cross-piece to a base of an upstream multi-turret processing machine and to allow connection at the opposite end of the cross-piece to a base of a downstream multi-turret processing machine, the bridge having a center aperture, an upstream aperture on an upstream side of the center aperture, and a downstream aperture on a downstream side of the center aperture opposite to the upstream side, the three apertures for holding a last existing upstream turret on the upstream multi-turret processing machine in the upstream aperture, for holding a link processing turret in the center aperture, and for holding a first existing downstream turret in the downstream multi-turret processing ma
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey R. Bowlin, Joseph G. Schill, Jeffrey Lee Shortridge
  • Patent number: 6705454
    Abstract: A conveyor for transporting parts includes a first electrical switch, a second electrical switch and an automatically movable stop. In another aspect of the present invention, an accumulating power roll conveyor system has two or more independently driven zones. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides for a part physically contacting against and actuating a switch as the part is located in a zone corresponding with the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Cinetic Automation Corporation
    Inventors: R. Thomas Fishaw, Steven J. Richardson
  • Patent number: 6681915
    Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Imre A. Pattantyus-Abraham, Chad E. Law, Patrick J. Weber, Stanley W. Stedman, Stephen T. Chang
  • Publication number: 20030066733
    Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Imre A. Pattantyus-Abraham, Chad E. Law, Patrick J. Weber, Stanley W. Stedman, Stephen T. Chang
  • Patent number: 6478134
    Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Imre A. Pattantyus-Abraham, Chad E. Law, Patrick J. Weber, Stanley W. Stedman, Stephen T. Chang
  • Patent number: 6405851
    Abstract: A conveyor controlling device which can reduce production costs and can be easily attached. The presence or absence of a load in the conveyor portion in the local zone and a plurality of selected downstream zones is detected. The controlling device stops the drive of the local corresponding zone when a signal indicates the presence of loads in the local zone and in all of the downstream zones. The conveyor controlling device drives the local corresponding zone when the downstream presence signal indicates that at least one downstream zone is vacant. This controlling device provides a simple method for controlling an accumulating conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Okura Yusoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Takeda
  • Patent number: 6325198
    Abstract: A high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Imre A. Pattantyus-Abraham, Chad E. Law, Patrick J. Weber, Stanley W. Stedman, Stephen T. Chang
  • Patent number: 6264457
    Abstract: A system for transferring preforms to an oven starwheel of a blowmolding manufacturing facility includes a transport mechanism that is constructed and arranged to be able to hold at least one plastic preform member, a first sensor for sensing a transport speed of the oven starwheel, and a controller for controlling movement of the transport mechanism The controller receives input from the first sensor so that it may instruct the transport mechanism to transport a preform to the oven starwheel at a speed that will closely match the speed of the oven starwheel. The controller is also programmed to instruct the transport mechanism to receive preforms from a supply of preforms at a speed that is less than the speed of the oven starwheel. This reduces the potential for jamming at the interface between the preform supply and the transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph G. Ohmes, Edward J. Strand
  • Patent number: 6178797
    Abstract: A linking apparatus and method for connecting two can making and processing machines. The linking arrangement includes a coupling arrangement synchronously connecting the respective drive arrangements for the two machines, and a transfer member for sequentially transferring can bodies between the two machines. The coupling arrangement includes a first gear drivingly connected to a first one of the machines, a second gear drivingly connected to a second one of the machines, and an intermediate gear interengagingly connected between the first and second gears. The transfer member includes a vacuum star-wheel driven by the intermediate gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Delaware Capital Formation, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold James Marshall, Mohamad Hachem Saadi El Hachem
  • Patent number: 6131722
    Abstract: An apparatus for high speed packing of envelopes is disclosed. The apparatus includes an envelope flap opening assembly which facilitates the opening of each envelope by a finger of an opening element as the envelope passes through packing apparatus. Each envelope may then be conveyed into a first staging assembly where the envelope is stopped, allowing a freely rotating conveyor to force the envelope into contact with an ejection conveyor to direct the envelope from the first staging assembly. The envelope is then transported to the packing assembly by an intermediate conveyor having a plurality of distinctly and selectively driven conveyors to allow staging of the envelopes along the intermediate conveyor. A quick and efficient envelope packing assembly then packs the envelopes and ejects the envelope to an exiting conveyor which seals each packed envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Mail and Messaging Technologies Company
    Inventors: Kevin Button, James Bigger, Douglas McLean, John Corradini
  • Patent number: 5732944
    Abstract: The actual position of a leading edge of a transversely folded signature is detected. This actual position detection event is used to trigger an instantaneous measurement of the actual angular position of the gripper system used for receiving the signature. If the leading edge of the signature is predicted to arrive at the gripper system of the receiving cylinder at other than the appropriate time, the speed of the receiving cylinder is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer-Albert Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Gunther Mayer
  • Patent number: 5696689
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate production control system controlling the production of semiconductor substrates grouped as lots so that a delay of each lot between processing operations does not exceed a time limit within which the amount of deterioration of the substrates exceeds permissible levels when plural types and plural lots of semiconductor substrates are arbitrarily provided in a process requiring consecutive processing operations. A first control unit controls the progress of production of the semiconductor substrates per lot and various processing equipment. Storage stations store the lots. First and second processing equipment implement predetermined processing operations on the lots, and a conveyer conveys the lots between the storage unit and the first and second processing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Nippondenso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Okumura, Junji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5648907
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production method for handling plates to be cut out of a plate blank. The production method is effected via a production system by carrying out a variety of working operations in an integrated manner, at a so-called plate working center, with a shearing mechanism, an unloading and handling mechanism, as well as a single or multi-section conveyor mechanism serving as a buffer conveyor storage therebetween, the mechanisms being computer controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Lillbackan Konepaja Oy
    Inventors: Jorma Taijonlahti, Lauri Kohtamaki
  • Patent number: 5641008
    Abstract: A plant potting machine includes a pot track for sequentially conveying plant pots along a potting path. A soil lift conveyor having a soil discharge chute lifting soil above the pot track and discharges the soil through the soil discharge chute and into those plant pots on the pot track positioned in the potting path therebelow, while a soil infeed conveyor conveys the soil from a source thereof to the soil lift conveyor. The soil flow rate between the infeed and lift conveyors is synchronized by a chain-and-sprocket synchronizer. Thus, a soil flow-control motor connected to the chain-and-sprocket synchronizer continuously drives the same so that the soil infeed and lift conveyors respectively feed and lift soil in a continuous synchronous manner to thereby effect control over the flow of soil from the soil source to the discharge chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Inventor: C. Mitchell Ellis
  • Patent number: 5638941
    Abstract: An apparatus for loading containers of a distributing conveyor with flat product includes an endless belt including a plurality of ribs that define at least one compartment that forms a support surface for supporting the flat product. The endless belt is moved in a cyclical motion between resting positions for conveying the flat product supported on the support surface into a container. A cover element forms with the at least one compartment a laterally open shaft into which the flat product is deposited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: GRAPHA-Holding AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Oppliger, Beat Fritsche, Thomas Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 5386981
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing printed paper in a cut-sheet feed rotary press comprising receiving printed sheets from a printing press on a receiving device at a paper discharge, one sheet at a time, and stacking such received sheets, one on the other, withdrawing and transferring the stacked sheets to a further processing station, the apparatus comprising a printing press having a paper discharge, a paper-receiving device at the paper discharge for receiving the discharged paper, and a conveyer for conveying the paper-receiving device with the discharged paper thereon, from the paper discharge to a further processing station for the discharge of paper therefrom and for returning the paper-receiving device to the paper discharge after the printed paper thereon have been discharged therefrom at the further processing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Seiji Sugimoto, Takemasa Shibata, Yutaka Hitani, Katsunori Kadokura
  • Patent number: 5317516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production method for handling plates to be cut out of a plate blank. The production method is effected via a production system by carrying out a variety of working operations in an integrated manner, at a so-called plate working center, with a shearing mechanism, an unloading and handling mechanism, as well as a single or multi-section conveyor mechanism serving as a buffer conveyor storage therebetween, the mechanisms being computer controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Lillbackan Konepaja Oy
    Inventors: Jorma Taijonlahti, Lauri Kohtamaki
  • Patent number: 5279495
    Abstract: A mail insertion machine (10) having an elongated insert track (12) with one or more insert dispensing devices (16) with rotary insert feeding mechanisms (22) for depositing inserts at longitudinally-space movable driving members (14) on the insert track includes a power train interconnected between the driving members and each insert dispensing device for driving them in a predetermined phase relationship with a phase-adjustment mechanism for adjusting the phase relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1994
    Assignee: Bell & Howell Phillipsburg Company
    Inventor: Robert M. Rello
  • Patent number: 5228558
    Abstract: An accumulating conveyor includes a plurality of load carrying rollers over which loads are conveyed from an upstream end of the conveyor to a downstream end. The rollers are divided into a plurality of zones. Each zone includes at least one drive roller and may include one or more idler rollers. Each zone includes a controller which is connected between the power supply and the drive roller for that zone. The controller receives a variable input signal which is indicative of the drive roller speed for the immediately adjacent downstream zone, and produces an output signal based on the variable input signal. The output signal is used to adjust the speed of the associated drive roller and is also used as the input signal for the controller of the next adjacent upstream zone. Accordingly, the speed of each zone is continuously adjusted based on the speed of its immediately preceding zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Interroll Holding A.G.
    Inventor: David V. Hall
  • Patent number: 5186308
    Abstract: An electrical control system is disclosed for industrial conveyor systems which includes plural individual conveyors. The system includes a single main controller and a sub-controller for each individual conveyor in the system. Each sub-controller is located adjacent its own conveyor and is wired directly to the input and output devices of its own conveyor, thus requiring only localized field wiring for the electrical system. The control logic for each individual conveyor and the overall conveyor system is provided by a programmable controller in the main controller coupled through a communication line to the sub-controllers. The electrical control system is provided with a diagnostic system with the diagnostic circuitry located in each of the sub-controllers. Each of the sub-controllers is provided as a standardized module with a printed circuit board containing all of the interconnections required by the sub-controller except the local wiring connections to the conveyor itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Mark S. Munro
  • Patent number: 5099982
    Abstract: Apparatus for piling in stacks a plurality of successive individual battery plates moving at a high rate of speed. Synchronized plates are transferred to a carrier conveyor which advances them into work stations with the leading edge of each plate raised generally vertically above its trailing edge. Sequentially in one and another of the stations, each plate is rapidly stopped so that a plurality of succeeding synchronized plates are each disengaged from the carrier and deposited in a stack on an elevator underlying each station. The elevator is retracted as each plate is deposited so that the next plate can be received on the stack. Periodically, the depositing of plates is switched from one station to another and stacks of plates are removed from the elevator associated with each station so that another stack can be formed on the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Wirtz, David Yanik, Robert R. Rader, Roel Mendoza, Dennis E. Essig
  • Patent number: 5092011
    Abstract: Described herein is a disk washing apparatus for cleaning substrate disks of memory medium, which comprises in combination: a loader section having a magazine for holding a number of disks to be washed; a working section including a washing stage arranged to wash the front and rear faces of a disk simultaneously with inner and outer peripheral surfaces thereof, a rinsing stage arranged to rinse the front and rear faces of a disk simultaneously with inner and outer peripheral surfaces thereof, and a drying stage adapted to dry a washed and rinsed disk by high speed spin drying; an unloader section having a magazine for accommodating cleaned disks; and disk transfer chucks adapted to transfer disks one after another stepwise from the loader section to the unloader section, passing the disks successively to the washing, rinsing and drying stages of the working section, the washing, rinsing, and drying stages being located in series between the loader and unloader sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Hitachi Electronics Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Gommori, Hisayoshi Ichikawa, Takahisa Ishida
  • Patent number: 5062762
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for piling in stacks a plurality of successive individual battery plates moving at a high rate of speed. Synchronized plates are transferred to a carrier conveyor which advances them into work stations with the leading edge of each plate raised generally vertically above its trailing edge. Sequentially in one and another of the stations, each plate is rapidly stopped so that a plurality of succeeding synchronized plates are each disengaged from the carrier and deposited in a stack on an elevator underlying each station. The elevator is retracted as each plate is deposited so that the next plate can be received on the stack. Periodically, the depositing of plates is switched from one station to another and stacks of plates are removed from the elevator associated with each station so that another stack can be formed on the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Wirtz, David Yanik, Robert R. Rader, Roel Mendoza, Dennis E. Essig
  • Patent number: 5025909
    Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus adapted to control both the laying and transportation, on conveyor belts, of indexed workpieces, manufactured by a line comprising a plurality of automatic machines.The subject apparatus substantially includes a plurality of continuously operating conveyor belts, arranged sequentially to each other, among which there are provided temporary workpiece stop mechanisms. Each automatic machine is connected to the next by a continuously operated conveyor belt and one of the temporary stop mechanisms. Control is actuated by picking up, from the following machine, one of the manufacturing cycle characterizing signals thereof, which is sent to a pair of timers, wherein the first determines the temporary stop mechanism enable delay time, while the second determines the enable time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Start S.r.l.
    Inventor: Dario De Benedetti
  • Patent number: 4982556
    Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is custom constructed from standardized modules in order to reduce cost and standardize operational and maintenance procedures. The standardized modules include conveyor chain modules which may be ganged to maintain synchronization of operations. Various types of attached may be attached to the conveyor chain in order to mandrels adapt the machine to load different types of products. A cam pin guides and directs selective transfers of products when both box and product are present and to cancel transfer when one of said box or product is absent. One example of such a customized machine is a machine for loading golf balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Tisma Machine Corporation
    Inventor: Steven Tisma
  • Patent number: 4973218
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for piling in stacks a plurality of successive individual battery plates moving at a high rate of speed. Synchronized plates are transferred to a carrier conveyor which advances them into work stations with the leading edge of each plate raised generally vertically above its trailing edge. Sequentially in one and another of the stations, each plate is rapidly stopped so that a plurality of succeeding synchronized plates are each disengaged from the carrier and deposited in a stack on an elevator underlying each station. The elevator is retracted as each plate is deposited so that the next plate can be received on the stack. Periodically, the depositing of plates is switched from one station to another and stacks of plates are removed from the elevator associated with each station so that another stack can be formed on the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 27, 1990
    Assignee: Wirtz Manufacturing Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Wirtz, David Yanik, Robert R. Rader, Roel Mendoza, Dennis E. Essig
  • Patent number: 4813530
    Abstract: A conveyor drive transmission for a secondary conveyor system is disclosed. The secondary conveyor system is designed to feed material cut by a mining machine onto a primary conveyor which would convey mine material to the rear of the machine for discharge. The secondary conveyor has a foot shaft adjacent and parallel to one side of the primary conveyor. The transmission for the secondary conveyor includes an input drive shaft aligned with and driven by a transverse shaft on the primary conveyor. A helical worm drive gear mounted on and driven by the input drive shaft is included to engage and drive a worm wheel. The worm wheel then drives a helical worm gear mounted on a shaft in the same plane as the input drive shaft. A set of bevel gears mounted on the same shaft as the helical worm driven gear drives the worm shaft of the secondary conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Joy Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Wechner
  • Patent number: 4750254
    Abstract: A continuously operating one-sided formatting and edge shaping machine for edge processing four sides of work pieces is driven by a continuously running primary conveying means (10). A conveying device is mounted ahead of this single primary conveying means in the form of chain conveyors (18 and 20), which also operate continuously, so that a precisely aligned work piece can be transferred in this condition to the primary conveying means, for which purpose the two conveying means run synchronously with each other at least in the transfer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Hornberger Maschinenbaugesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kurt Kalmbach