Patents Examined by Daniel R. Alexander
  • Patent number: 4856644
    Abstract: The apparatus for transmitting a rotary movement with at least one drive and at least one power take-off and closed, flexible chain guides arranged between the same uses force transmission takes place by an endless chain, which can be subject to push and pull and which substantially corresponds to the total length of the chain casing in the inoperative state, i.e. the length of the chain channels in the guide casings of the drive and the power take-offs and the flexible chain guides between the same. The flexible chain guide comprises a hose bendable in all spatial directions, whose inner space is used as a chain channel. According to another embodiment, the flexible chain guide part running from the drive to the power take-off and the flexible chain guide part running from the power take-off to the drive are formed by a twin hose bendable in all spatial directions, whose two inner spaces are used as chain channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: SFT AG Spontanfordertechnik
    Inventor: Walter Reist
  • Patent number: 4681206
    Abstract: A curvilinear escalator comprises, in combination: a main frame having an arcuate shape in the horizontal plane of projection and disposed in inclined condition, the main frame having a forwarding way formed on the top surface side thereof, a turning section at one distal end part of the main frame in the longitudinal direction thereof, and a return way on the bottom surface side thereof to thereby construct an endless conveying path; a plurality of steps continuously disposed in the conveying path and guided therealong, each of the steps being in a sector shape; a pair of step chains disposed at both sides of the steps on the edge part in the breadthwise direction thereof and provided along the conveying path, the each step chain being constructed with joint pieces, each of which is engaged with the end part of a step shaft disposed in each of the steps in the breadthwise direction thereof, and link members with one end part thereof being connected with one end part of the joint piece and to bring the adjace
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Sugita
  • Patent number: 4660708
    Abstract: This invention concerns a connecting device for synchronously intercoupling machines mounted in series and handling a stream of objects 9 e.g. bottles which are uninterruptedly fed by a first machine 1 toward a second machine 4, the device essentially comprising a set of overlapping worms 6, 7 serving to arrange or classify the stream of objects, one of the worms 6, being positively retractable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the stream of objects, a guide rail 20 for the objects being provided at the location of the retractable worm 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Stork Bepak B.V.
    Inventor: Jozsef Willerding
  • Patent number: 4660712
    Abstract: Device (10) to separate bars which is suitable for separating elongated elements, such as bars (19), tubes or other like elements, from a bundle in motion along a conveyor (12), the separator device (10) being positioned in cooperation with the conveyor (12) and comprising a series of movable separators (14) arranged along the front of the conveyor (12) and at least one elevator (13) which lifts one end of each bar to deliver it to the separator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche SpA
    Inventors: Archimede Braidotti, Renzo Mini, Giancarlo Roseano
  • Patent number: 4658947
    Abstract: A device for removing or sending an article from a conveyor of a transport system to and from work stations located therealong comprising platforms capable of being raised or lowered so that an article being carried by the conveyor can be taken out of physical contact with the conveyor at various work station locations. Once the article has been raised out of contact with the central conveyor, a closed loop belt driven by a fluid actuated cylinder causes the article to be conveyed onto or away from the central conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Raymond Production Systems
    Inventor: William C. Welder
  • Patent number: 4651864
    Abstract: Apparatus for arranging containers horizontally and in sequence comprises a hopper to which loose containers are fed, an elevator with pick-up teeth defining seatings on which, on the ascending branch of the elevator, containers are disposed in a horizontal position and maneuvered by an associated pushing device, and a drum near the top of the elevator containing housings moved in phase with the teeth so that the containers can be transferred from one to the other.The bottom of the hopper comprises a conveyor belt which conveys containers towards the foot of the ascending branch. Rotating arms staggered either angularly or heightwise below the top of the branch near the drum are placed to intercept between successive teeth of the ascending branch so as to either lay down or eject from the elevator containers carried by the pick-up teeth in incorrect positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Azionaria Costruzioni Macchine Automatiche (A.C.M.A.)
    Inventors: Paolo Nipoti, Franco Priori
  • Patent number: 4650061
    Abstract: A crowding lug transfer conveyor system has an infeed and an outfeed end with a primary conveyor surface serving to a convey pieces therebetween. A plurality of lugs, each slideably mounted on a lug chain, are held at the infeed end and then released ahead of an incoming piece. An upstanding member on the lug is above the plane of the primary surface and the lug body is below the plane. A predetermined body length establishes the spacing and crowding distance at the outfeed end. Escapement mechanisms serve to release individual lugs on command both at the infeed and outfeed ends. At the outfeed end a plurality of lugs and pieces may be accumulated and spaced with the pieces then being metered in a singulated controlled manner. Caliper blocks in the lugs serve to grasp the lug chain when a lug is released with the lug chain continuously passing through the caliper blocks when the lug is being held in place awaiting release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Earl D. Hasenwinkle, Frank Wislocker
  • Patent number: 4646910
    Abstract: A high speed belt to belt transfer chute useful in handling, without modification or adjustments, material ranging from sticky clay and fine dust to large rocks. The generalized chute is designed either to bend the material flow to the vertical after it has left a leading belt or, conversely, to direct material moving vertically downward into the direction of a following belt. The chute is constructed of individually replaceable, ribbed elements, which may be repositioned and replaced as they wear in order to maintain the same directed, controlled flow of material, while minimizing the replacement cost and downtime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Jenike & Johanson, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry R. Johanson, David S. Dick
  • Patent number: 4645070
    Abstract: A conveyor adaptable for bending in vertical and horizontal planes having a central guide and drive, steel base chain capable of being driven in two planes and a continuous, horizontal, carrying surface formed by a plurality of removable, non-metallic top plates having flexible, outwardly extending, finger members interlaced between one another and adaptable for slidable engagement and flexural movement when the conveyor moves in either a horizontal or a vertical plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: PT Components, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald F. Homeier
  • Patent number: 4645058
    Abstract: An apparatus for orienting eggs in an egg handling system comprises an endless roller chain for conveying the eggs to be oriented along a track defined between parallel longitudinally extending vertical guide plates arranged above the roller chain. At the downstream end of the roller chain an orienting member is suspended for free swinging movement about a horizontal axis extending downwardly to within the path of the advancing eggs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Inventor: Pieter Meyn
  • Patent number: 4645062
    Abstract: An apparatus has a first conveyor and a second conveyor to which flat items are transferred, in a substantially lying orientation, from the first conveyor at a location of transfer; an item supporting arrangement forming part of the first conveyor and having a first item supporting surface defining a first plane; and a plurality of separate item carrying elements forming part of the second conveyor and spaced from one another parallel to the conveying direction of the second conveyor for advancing the items thereon. Each item carrying element has a second item supporting surface defining a second plane substantially identical in inclination for all the item carrying elements, and the second planes are at least approximately parallel to the first plane at least in the location of transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: SIG Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft
    Inventor: Georg Kopp
  • Patent number: 4645063
    Abstract: A device for transferring cigarette pieces from a twin rod cigarette-making machine to a filter fitting machine, in which the cigarette pieces are transferred two at a time, one for each of the two rods from a horizontal output bed of the cigarette-making machine to the top of an input drum of the filter fitting machine the axis of which is parallel to the rods, by a plurality of take-up heads which move about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the rods, maintaining themselves parallel thereto and moving with a speed which is variable between a maximum at take-up from the bed and a minimum at release on the summit of the input drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: G.D Societa per Azioni
    Inventor: Enzo Seragnoli
  • Patent number: 4640196
    Abstract: A track member for supporting the wheels of conveyor trolleys connected to a chain comprises first and second trackways arranged in vertically spaced, oppositely facing relation, each trackway having a pair of track surfaces spaced apart by a vertical web. The web of one trackway is longer than the other so that the first trackway is adapted to support trolley wheels of one diameter and the second trackway trolley wheels of another diameter. Various track constructions for overhead and floor type conveyors are obtainable by mounting pairs of the track members in transversely spaced parallel relation with either the first or second trackway of one member aligned with and facing the corresponding trackway of the other. In each of these track constructions the vertical webs of the non-facing trackways form parallel surfaces of a channel which laterally encloses and contains the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1987
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: Clarence A. Dehne
  • Patent number: 4638906
    Abstract: A gripper conveyor assembly includes a plurality of grippers. A conveyor chain moves the grippers along a track from a pick up station to a receiving station. The conveyor chain has identical links. Any one link can be removed from the chain while all of the other links remain interconnected and enclosed by the track. Each of the links includes a body section with rollers which engage the track to guide movement of the body section along the track. Plug and socket type universal joints interconnect the body sections of the links. An opening having a length corresponding to the length of the body section of a link is provided in the track. When a link is rotated, through approximately 90.degree. at the opening, the plug and socket joints can be disconnected and the rotated link removed from the conveyor chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Harris Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Winiasz
  • Patent number: 4635783
    Abstract: Person-conveying device of quiet operating design having a step-belt or pallet belt which is guided in guide rails by transport chains with step-chain or pallet-chain rollers as well as chain-guide rollers, the points of contact of the step-chain or pallet-chain rollers with the travel surface being spaced from the lateral guide surface of the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: O&K Orenstein & Koppel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter Hofling
  • Patent number: 4632238
    Abstract: The apparatus comprises two superimposed conveyors the adjacent runs whereof move at the same speed in the same direction. The conveyors are provided with transverse guides on which sliding elements are mounted which provide support for the articles, in connection with the bottom conveyor, and clamp the articles against the underlying supporting elements, in connection with the top conveyor, the held articles being caused to advance past switches operated in succession to divert the articles along guide sets leading to respective removal belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignee: MA.CO Engineering S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto Risi
  • Patent number: 4627529
    Abstract: An improved spiral conveyor comprising a rigid integral central tubular core member which is arranged vertically dependent upon the desired height of the conveyor system. A continuous conveyor chain is moved over a pair of continuous spaced tracks which are mounted in a generally spiral path about the central member. The tracks are constructed and arranged to include flat surfaces disposed for minimizing frictional contact with the conveyor chain whereby the capstan affect is reduced. The chain is driven at its infeed and outfeed ends by an electric motor disposed at one of these locations and is reversible depending upon the desired direction of flow. The chain returns upon itself. The infeed and outfeed ends of the conveyor chain are arranged in tangential relationship with respect to the adjoining portion thereof to facilitate side transfer, if desired, of the conveyed product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: C. & T. Tarlton, Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis S. Tarlton, Richard A. Ford
  • Patent number: 4625859
    Abstract: A screw feeder with a reversibly rotating axle (14) for feeding material in a definite direction. The axle (14) is provided with feed elements (21,25) having two feeding flanks, each formed as a portion of a right-hand and, respectively, left-hand thread screw. The feed elements (21,25) preferably are attached on annular members (20,24), which are arranged one after the other along the axle (14). Each feed element (21,25) is rotatable about the axle (14) through a definite angle in relation to adjacent feed elements, so that the feed direction is maintained irrespective of the rotation direction of the axle (14). At least one of the feed elements being operably coupled to the axle for rotation therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Axel H. Sjobom
  • Patent number: 4625854
    Abstract: A container transfer system in which containers such as plastic bottles having been newly formed are brought to a transfer conveyor in upright condition, reoriented to a horizontal position along a transfer conveyor and are engaged by their necks by carrier members on a carrier conveyor, removed from the transfer conveyor, and carried to subsequent container operations with substantially the entire exterior surface of the container exposed for subsequent operations such as coating or decorating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Feco Engineered Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Deichmann, Thomas J. Zeeff
  • Patent number: RE32353
    Abstract: Apparatus for conveying rod-like articles, especially cigarettes, includes parallel conveyors for streams of articles and two transfer conveyors which together re-orientate articles in one stream for combination with articles in the other stream. The transfer conveyors each convey articles on a curved path having a substantially vertical axis and include guide means for elevating the outer ends of the articles on the path. In another arrangement parallel opposed conveyors deliver articles to a downwardly-extending junction provided with retractable conveyor bands which may initially extend across the junction to aid filling. The stream on one of the opposed conveyors may be delivered from a further parallel conveyor by a rotary disc transfer conveyor which turns articles through 180 degrees for delivery to the one conveyor. The apparatus is particularly useful for tip-turning of cigarettes at the exit on a filter cigarette assembly machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Molins PLC
    Inventors: David S. Bennett, Grantley R. Hoath