Patents Examined by Joseph E. Valenza
-
Patent number: 6575292Abstract: A conveyor belt cleaner and tensioner assembly adapted to be attached to a cross shaft. The conveyor belt cleaner and tensioner assembly includes a mounting base adapted to be mounted to the cross shaft and an arm member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the arm member is pivotally attached to the mounting base for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. A scraper blade is attached to the second end of the arm member. A gas spring tensioner has a first end pivotally attached to the mounting base and a second end pivotally attached the arm member. The tensioner includes a housing and a ram having a first end located within the housing and a second end located externally of the housing. The ram is extendable and retractable with respect to the housing to thereby pivot the arm member and the scraper blade about the pivot axis. The scraper blade includes a metal scraping tip having an elastomeric wear-in tip.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2002Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Martin Engineering CompanyInventor: R. Todd Swinderman
-
Patent number: 6571932Abstract: A dustproof linear actuator has: a housing with a slit extending axially; a linear guide device disposed in the housing; a carriage mounted in the housing and axially movable along the slit by the linear guide device, the carriage including a workpiece mounting table protruding from the housing through the slit; a linear drive device disposed in the housing for moving the carriage axially; a pair of pulleys disposed in an axial end of the housing; and a sealing band mounted around the pulleys within the housing movably for closing the slit, the sealing band including first and second ends which are fastened to first and second ends of the carriage, respectively, to form a circulative loop. Further, the dustproof linear actuator has an air venting device for venting air existing in the housing close to the axial end toward an outside of the housing so that the dustproof linear actuator can remarkably prevents the dust particles from leaking out of the housing by reducing the pressure inside the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: NSK, Ltd.Inventors: Sosuke Kawashima, Nobuhito Saji
-
Patent number: 6564931Abstract: The invention relates to a belt conveyor comprising a revolving conveyor belt (1, 1′), carrying rollers (2, 2′) which are positioned between the upper strand (3) and the lower strand (4, 4′) of the conveyor belt (1), a drive device and a power-transmitting unit (5, 5′) for moving the conveyor belt (1). Damage to the surface of the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor by the power transmitting device is largely excluded by the fact that for power transmission a pair of elements (6, 6′, 7) is provided for which cooperate in a positive-fit and in that the one element (6, 6′) is assigned to the power-transmitting device (5, 5′) and the other element (7) to the conveyor belt (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Inventor: Klaus Edelmann
-
Patent number: 6564927Abstract: An apparatus for charging containers includes a first conveyor for advancing items; a second conveyor for continuously advancing containers; a charging device including first and second chutes each having an inlet adjoining the discharge end of the first conveyor and an outlet positioned above the second conveyor. The first and second chutes adjoin one another in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the second conveyor. A drive shifts the charging device and the discharge end of the first conveyor relative to one another for selectively aligning the inlet of the first chute or the inlet of the second chute with the discharge end for selectively introducing items from the first conveyor into the first or second chute. A sensor detects items advanced on the first conveyor. A control device is connected to the sensor and the drive for operating the drive based on the sensor signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: SIG Pack Systems AGInventor: Peter Meyer
-
Patent number: 6565082Abstract: In a bill receiving and discharging device having a wheel for winding a tape together with a bill and a reel for winding the tape rewound from the wheel, a bill in which a cut exists at a position at which the bill cannot be held within width of the tape sometimes has a trouble such that the bill is cut into two sections at a time of discharging. In the present invention, in order to eliminate the above-described trouble, a regulating device and a discharging device for guiding an end portion of a bill to an outside of a back side region of the tape are provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Shigeru Sasaki, Tadashi Satou, Yasunari Niioka, Kazushi Yoshida
-
Patent number: 6564929Abstract: An apparatus for positioning, handling and conveying structural parts for a surface finishing of the parts comprises frames arranged successively in a conveying direction, hooks carried by the frames for hanging the structural parts, and devices for maintaining successive ones of the frames in the conveying direction so close to each other that the structural parts hanging on the hooks are locked in position by the successive frames.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Inventor: Raimund Reisacher
-
Patent number: 6557689Abstract: Assembly for supporting and retaining sheets of glass, particularly in a machine for machining the sheets of glass; the assembly possesses a support structure, a plurality of suckers carried by the support structure to hold the sheet of glass in an unambiguous reference position on a horizontal plane and, for each sucker, a corresponding actuator for vertically displacing the suckers between a raised position and a lowered position.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Forvet S.r.l.Inventor: Davide Gariglio
-
Patent number: 6554122Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for conveying and rotating/transferring individual containers or beverage bottle cases or the like articles as well as moving or, laterally in a direction orthogonal to the travel direction of the articles, transferring the same, the assembly comprising two or more substantially cylindrical conveyor rolls (15) that are parallel to each other and aligned longitudinally in the travel direction of the articles, the conveyor rolls being adapted rotatable about their axes in order to effect the rotation of the articles or transfer thereof in the lateral direction, plus one or more conveyor belts (12) or the like means for transferring the articles in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor rolls (15), the conveyor belts (12) being adapted to pass over belt support rolls (10).Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Bevesys OyInventors: Antti Auno, Hannu Paavola
-
Patent number: 6554934Abstract: A preformed strip (20) of unvulcanized rubber having a plurality of strand receiving grooves (22) for splicing the ends (11, 12) of steel cord or strand reinforced rubber conveyor belts (10) is disclosed along with a method of forming the spliced joint.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Robin Bovaird Steven, David Joseph Maguire, Steven Andrew Lederer, William James Head, Larry James Gehrett, James Alfred Benzing, II
-
Patent number: 6554116Abstract: A roller track assembly includes an outer channel member and inner channel member having rollers attached and which vertically displaces in the channel of the outer channel member in response to inflation of an inflatable air bag in the channel of the outer channel member. A top plate is quick release attached to the outer channel member by a detent arrangement and covers the outer channel member and inner channel member. The top plate has openings through which rollers rotatably secured to the inner channel member selectively protrude in response to inflation of the air bag. Sealing covers prevent debris entering top plate openings from falling into the interface regions between the inner and outer channel members.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Morgan CorporationInventor: Matthew J. Ransil
-
Patent number: 6550608Abstract: A carton feeding system for feeding cartons into a packaging machine is disclosed. The carton feeding system includes a frame in which a carton feeder is rotatably mounted and a carton guide assembly. The carton guide assembly includes a pair of spaced guide tracks along which guide chains are moved to engage and urge the cartons along the carton feeding system toward a drop point overlying a series of products passing therebeneath. A pair of spaced chute plates receive and support the ends of the cartons as the cartons are released by the carton feeder and are urged by the guide chains along a feed path toward the drop point and engagement with a series of products passing through the product-packaging machine.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Riverwood International CorporationInventors: Steven D. Brown, Colin Ford
-
Patent number: 6550602Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles includes a first article moving device and second article moving device spaced apart from the first device to define a space therebetween. A movable transport member is disposed across and movable along the space. The transport member includes a rotatable member drivingly engaged by the first and second article moving devices so as to rotate as either of the devices moves. The transport member travels along the space if a relative speed difference exists between the devices. An article transfer member is carried by the transport member and is disposed between the article moving devices to transfer articles between the devices as the rotatable member rotates.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Hartness International, Inc.Inventors: Dorian F. Steeber, Olivier P. Duterte
-
Patent number: 6547505Abstract: An improved hydraulic system and method of operating same for waste collection vehicles is provided where a closed center valve in conjunction with a positive displacement pump is used without the need for increasing engine RPM, thus significantly reducing vehicle noise during operation of the hydraulic systemType: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: McClain IndustriesInventors: Charles A. Duell, Thomas E. Pfeifer
-
Patent number: 6547062Abstract: The combination of a conveying surface that is movable to advance material supported thereon, a wall projecting upwardly from the conveying surface to confine material on the conveying surface, a sealing element to block passage of material between the conveyor surface and wall, and a clamping system for the sealing element. The clamping system may consist of a) a locking assembly having a bearing portion that is mounted for movement relative to the wall between i) a mounting position and ii) a holding position, with the sealing element residing between the wall and the bearing portion with the locking element in the holding position, b) a fixing element on the wall, and c) a wedge assembly having a body that cooperates with the fixing element and that is movable slidably and guidingly relative to the locking assembly between first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Argonics, Inc.Inventor: Daniel Wiggins
-
Patent number: 6547054Abstract: A conveyor roller having a spring loaded telescoping tubular axle with tapered hexagonal shaped ends allowing quick replacement in the side frame openings of a conveyor when the openings are worn to an oversize. The tapered hex ends also provide for a tight fit between hex ends and hex holes in the frame to lessen relative motion (rattling) between the two surfaces that causes wear and noise. The roller can be installed from either side of the conveyor because the axle is collapsible from either end.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Alvey Systems, Inc.Inventor: Brian L. Gamache
-
Patent number: 6547240Abstract: A gripper drum for gripping printed products includes a drum shaft; at least one gripper disk coupled to the drum shaft; a gripper shaft disposed on the at least one gripper disk and having a shaft body rotatable about its longitudinal axis; an apparatus for controlling the gripper shaft; and a plurality of grippers disposed on the shaft body. The grippers are adaptable to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the gripper shaft for gripping the printed products. The gripper drum further includes a tensing apparatus coupled to the gripper shaft for compensating any play between the controlling apparatus and the plurality of grippers. The gripper drum operates to define an opening movement and closing movement of the grippers.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Grapha-Holding AGInventor: Günther Silberbauer
-
Patent number: 6543640Abstract: Wipers in roll form or separate sheets are stored in a plastic bag. A reclosable outlet is provided for the bag. In use with roll-form wipers, a restricted outlet is provided so as to provide resistance to the withdrawal of a strip of wipers from the bag, and allow them to be torn off along perforation lines delineating the wipers from one another. Preferably, the wiper material has a cleaning liquid absorbed in it. The bag material is a laminate comprising aluminum foil sandwiched between layers of polyester with an inner layer of polyethylene. This material is highly resistant to attack by aggressive solvents. In use with separate wipers, the bag has a slide-fastener closure which gives a wide outlet opening and adhesive-free closing.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1998Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.Inventor: Peter B. Russo
-
Patent number: 6543608Abstract: The present invention provides a guide rail support bracket assembly for supporting a conveyor system guide rail through a support rod. The assembly includes a support bracket having a mounting segment configured to be mounted to a conveyor body. The support bracket is preferably formed by cutting and bending a generally flat metal plate. A support segment is connected at one end to the mounting segment and at another end, spaced from the mounting segment, to an angled clamping section. The support rod is clamped into the clamping section by an eyebolt that fits through a clamping hole formed in the angled clamping section. The eyebolt is drawn into the angled clamping section by a clamping knob.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Valu Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Stuart J. Ledingham, David N. Padgett
-
Patent number: 6543601Abstract: A mobile unloading apparatus for unloading items from a variety of heights is disclosed wherein the apparatus has a frame supporting a ramp for movement between a first position spaced above a conveyor for permitting items to be placed directly on the conveyor and a second, downwardly sloping ramp position for moving items down the ramp to the conveyor. The apparatus includes a first walkway section supported by the frame on a first conveyor side above a supporting surface, a second walkway section supported by the frame on a second conveyor side above the supporting surface and a third walkway section. The third walkway section can be moved from a first, use position bridging the first and second walkway sections to a second, storage position.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: Sears Roebuck & CompanyInventor: Ruben Luevano
-
Patent number: 6540223Abstract: A stacking apparatus for stacking flat articles on edge is provided where each article has a front perimeter edge and two faces and the stacking apparatus receives each flat article as it enters the stacking apparatus moving in a direction generally parallel to the face of each article. The stacking apparatus includes a discharge magazine for sequentially receiving and stacking the flat articles face-to-face in an on-edge stack. The discharge magazine includes an article inlet, a register wall wherein the front perimeter edge of each envelope contacts the register wall to align each front perimeter edge of each article as the articles enter said stack. The discharge magazine further includes an article face support member, wherein a face of one of the flat articles abuts the article face support member, and a segmented roller for receiving and aligning the flat articles for insertion into the on-edge stack. The segmented roller includes a rotatable segmented cylinder having a longitudinal central axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: KFW Automation, Inc.Inventors: Joseph J. Keane, Donato C. Farole, Glenn A. Nester