By Separate Supporting Rollers Patents (Class 198/370.09)
  • Patent number: 11827458
    Abstract: A rotary table box manipulator, comprising: a horizontal supporting plane (1); a first rotary table (2) inscribed in and coplanar with said horizontal plane; a conveyor belt (3) arranged in a loop and movable along a longitudinal advancement direction above the supporting plane (1) and the table (2), equipped with a distribution of rotating balls (4) whose lower part is in contact with the upper surface of the plane (1) and of the table (2), so as to define an upper movable surface for supporting and transporting one or more boxes or packages of boxes (5), further comprising at least one second rotary table (6) inscribed in and coplanar with said first rotating table (2) and able to move independently from it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: PARA S.R.L.
    Inventor: Emanuele Para
  • Patent number: 11203431
    Abstract: An autonomous cargo handling system having a sensor self-calibration system may comprise a sensing agent configured to monitor a sensing zone, and a system controller in electronic communication with the first sensing agent. The system controller may be configured to receive structural cargo deck data from the first sensing agent, generate a real-time cargo deck model, identify a cargo deck component in the real-time cargo deck model, and determine a position of the sensing agent relative to the cargo deck component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Zamira A. Daw Perez, Alessandro Pinto, Richa Varma, Binu M. Nair, Xiaobin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11142407
    Abstract: Roller conveyors can only safely convey articles up to a certain width to downstream conveyors without jamming. The present invention utilizes at least one and preferably a plurality of jam prevention diverter wheels disposed at a selected angle between adjacent rollers of a conveyor with a portion of the diverter wheels extending above the surface of the conveyor rollers to contact items and limit the width of items that can pass through without jamming the conveyor. The diverter wheels are rotated with power mechanically derived from the main powered conveyor rollers. A portion of diverter wheels extend above the skewed roller conveyor surface a selected distance and at a selected angle to contact conveyed articles and only allow items up to a certain size to pass diverting wide items or misaligned items having a width wider than desired for passing through to a downstream conveyor. Jam prevention is the point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Fives Intralogistics Corp
    Inventor: Steven Vann Schroader
  • Patent number: 11130643
    Abstract: A modular transfer system with a primary flow system and a diverter system that is repositionable along a track system. The primary flow system includes a primary flow belt for conveying an article along a primary flow path from an infeed side of the modular transfer system to a pass-through side of the modular transfer system. The diverter system that is repositionable along the track system between the infeed side and the pass-through side by attachment within one or more channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventor: John William Kuhn
  • Patent number: 10941004
    Abstract: Enclosed herein are embodiments of a product transfer module and product transfer systems. In one embodiment, a product transfer module comprises a first shuttle, the first shuttle including a plurality of rollers, wherein the plurality of rollers are connected by one or more belts and includes a plurality of driven rollers and at least one driving roller; a second shuttle, the second shuttle including a plurality of rows of pulleys and a pulley drive positioned beneath the plurality of pulleys; and a cam system for raising and lowering the first and second shuttles; wherein the first shuttle directs product flow along a first flow path and the second shuttle directs product flow in a second flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Cornerstone Automation Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Tom Karol, Ikram Khan, Darian Carr, Richard Steele
  • Patent number: 10835928
    Abstract: There is provided a conveyor assembly for sorting merchandise items. In one form, the conveyor assembly includes: a merchandise identification module; sortation modules each comprising a multi-directional sorting portion with two sets of rollers, a first wing including a third set of rollers, a second wing including a fourth set of rollers, and a controller configured to receive an IP address; a first, disassembled state of the sortation modules; a second, assembled state of the sortation modules; a merchandise database; and a control circuit configured to receive identifying information about an unsorted merchandise item, assign a unique IP address to each sortation module corresponding to the position of the sortation module, determine a sortation destination for the unsorted merchandise item, determine the sortation module corresponding to the sortation destination; and instruct the controller of the corresponding sortation module to divert the unsorted merchandise item to the sortation destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Jason D. Bellar, William Mark Propes
  • Patent number: 10618746
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tote exchange module for handling totes. The tote exchange module includes a pick-up conveyor and an L-shaped pushing member. The L-shaped pushing member having a forward element and a side element. The forward element may be secured to the side element at the one end. Further, an actuator may move the L-shaped pushing member from a first position proximate a first side of the pick-up conveyor to a second position proximate a second side, opposite to the first side, of the pick-up conveyor. The second position defining a pick-up location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Eliot Green, Long Ha, Darius Scott
  • Patent number: 10479616
    Abstract: A transport device for transporting at least one product (12a; 12b), with at least one guide unit (14a; 14b), with at least one conveyor unit (16a; 16b), which has at least one continuous conveyor unit (18a; 18b) mounted movably relative to the guide unit (14a; 14b), which comprises at least one movably mounted conveyor element (20a; 20b), and at least one further movably mounted conveyor element (22a; 22b), which are connected to each other to form the continuous conveyor unit (18a; 18b) and are at least jointly movable relative to the guide unit (14a; 14b), and with at least one conveyor drive unit (24a; 24b) for driving the continuous conveyor unit (18a; 18b) relative to the guide unit (14a; 14b), in particular for driving the continuous conveyor unit (18a; 18b) in rotation about the guide unit (14a; 14b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Wipf, Philipp Kathan
  • Patent number: 10399783
    Abstract: A conveying member for a conveyor includes a conveying element with a main surface, and a roller mechanism having a roller holder and at least one roller with a physical roller pivot. The roller holder can interact with an actuating device, is arranged on the conveying element and is designed such that the roller pivot is movable relative to the main surface of the conveying element between a first position and a second position. In the first and second positions of the roller pivot, the roller projects partly beyond the main surface of the conveying element. In the first position of the roller pivot, the roller assumes an arrested position in which rotation of the roller is arrested, and in the second position of the roller pivot, the roller assumes a freewheel position in which the roller rotates freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Thomas Weber, Carl Conrad Mäder, René Moor
  • Patent number: 10308442
    Abstract: A discharge device is constructed so that, when conveyance destinations for a preceding conveyed object and a closely spaced succeeding conveyed object are different, the objects can be conveyed without stopping the conveyance of the succeeding conveyed object. The device has: a) discharge members that extend and retract between a plurality of conveying bodies in a main conveying conveyor, come into contact with a conveyed object when the discharge members extend between the conveying bodies, and impart a conveying force to the conveyed object, the force being in a direction different from that of the conveying bodies; b) a base member that supports the discharge members; and c) a and base swinging unit that swings the base member. By swinging the base member, it is possible to make the discharge members on the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveyance direction individually extend and retract between the conveying bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Tatsuhiko Nakamura, Makoto Mitsuyoshi
  • Patent number: 9676563
    Abstract: A long roller conveyor device having a plurality of long rollers and a short roller conveyor device having a plurality of short roller rows each of which includes a plurality of short rollers are used. Rotation axes of the long rollers and rotation axes of the short rollers cross each other. Each of the short roller rows is arranged between the long rollers. On a conveying passage, any of the long rollers and the short roller rows are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Itoh Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Itoh, Tatsuhiko Nakamura, Jun Maekawa
  • Patent number: 9573772
    Abstract: A conveyance device comprises a sorting plate housing a plurality of roller assemblies and a series of narrow conveyor belts for conveying articles towards the sorting plate. In a first mode, the narrow conveyor belts bypass the roller assemblies and convey articles over the sorting plate. In a second mode, the conveyor belts bring an article into contact with the roller assemblies, which then manipulate the trajectory of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 9499341
    Abstract: A conveying surface is defined by outputs with respective orientations that can be varied while maintaining the input in a constant orientation, and which can be used to more than a single direction. Power may be transmitted from a source of linear power to the conveying surface through rotation about an axis perpendicular to the conveying surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: John Joseph Wilkins
  • Patent number: 9457961
    Abstract: A method of sorting articles using a positive displacement sorter having a plurality of slats arranged in parallel to define a conveying surface moving in a longitudinal direction, a plurality of pusher shoes, each of said shoes travelling laterally along at least one of said slat and a diverting station comprising at least one diverting rail arranged diagonally under said conveying surface and at least one diverting switch for selectively diverting at least two pusher shoes to the diverting rail whereby the pusher shoes travel laterally across said conveying surface in a diagonal path in order to divert an article to a take-away lane includes pre-orienting articles prior to the diverting station wherein a side of each article is oriented at approximately a same orientation as the diagonal path and operating the at least one diverting switch and diverting at least one article that is pre-oriented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Green, III
  • Patent number: 9156629
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor including a diverting conveyor and a bidirectional assist roller to help sort articles over the side of the diverting conveyor. The diverting conveyor includes, in one version, a conveyor belt with diverting rollers selectively actuated to push articles toward a side of the diverting conveyor. The bidirectional assist roller rotates on an axis parallel to the main conveying direction. As articles to be diverted reach the side of the diverting conveyor, the bidirectional roller rotates in a direction to assist articles over the side of the diverting conveyor and the bidirectional roller and onto an exit conveyor. When the diverting rollers are not actuated, the bidirectional roller rotates in the opposite direction to prevent articles from exiting the side of the diverting conveyor. In some instances, the bidirectional roller can be raised above the level of the diverting rollers to further block articles not selected for sorting from exiting over the side and onto the exit conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, David Herbert Myers
  • Patent number: 9079717
    Abstract: A conveyor system including a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert objects on the conveyor belt. A roller drive mechanism engages the conveyor belt rollers to actuate the conveyor belt rollers into rotation as the conveyor belt advances. The drive mechanism is adjustable to cause the conveyor belt rollers to rotate in a first angular direction and a second, opposite angular direction so that objects can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. The roller drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges with pinion gears engaged by rack gears to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers and the engagement of the belt rollers with the drive rollers as a function of the orientation by selective raising and lowering or laterally shifting the drive rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 8978879
    Abstract: A multi-directional roller assembly for directing articles in a conveying system. The multi-directional roller assembly has a rotatable roller frame housing at least one set of mutually-actuating rollers. The multi-directional roller assembly directs an article supported by the assembly along a trajectory determined by the orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly relative to an input force. The orientation of the multi-directional roller assembly may be changed to change the trajectory. A conveyor system may include an array of multi-directional roller assemblies. An actuator controls the orientation of the multi-directional roller assemblies individually and may also control an array of multi-directional roller assemblies as a group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 8960413
    Abstract: An article conveyer belt assembly used for example, in a coin sorting device for positively pushing an article, such as a coin along a support surface is provided. A toothed belt has teeth for transmission of power by mounting a plurality of pushers on the belt with a connector removably mounted with a connecting body, a first holder and a second holder spaced a distance from each other to hold onto the conveyor belt. One of the first and second holders has a hook member to close a spaced opening at one end. The first and second holders are cantilevered to be mounted on a conveyor belt. At the other end of the connector body a pusher unit has a first shaft part and a second shaft part cantilevered from the connector body, with a hollow roller snap fitted on the first shaft part and the second shaft part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Umeda
  • Publication number: 20140332343
    Abstract: A sorting conveyor including a diverting conveyor and a bidirectional assist roller to help sort articles over the side of the diverting conveyor. The diverting conveyor includes, in one version, a conveyor belt with diverting rollers selectively actuated to push articles toward a side of the diverting conveyor. The bidirectional assist roller rotates on an axis parallel to the main conveying direction. As articles to be diverted reach the side of the diverting conveyor, the bidirectional roller rotates in a direction to assist articles over the side of the diverting conveyor and the bidirectional roller and onto an exit conveyor. When the diverting rollers are not actuated, the bidirectional roller rotates in the opposite direction to prevent articles from exiting the side of the diverting conveyor. In some instances, the bidirectional roller can be raised above the level of the diverting rollers to further block articles not selected for sorting from exiting over the side and onto the exit conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, David Herbert Myers
  • Publication number: 20140311859
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Petri Saastamo, Christopher W. Blomquist, Mike Dockter
  • Patent number: 8844706
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: PowerMag, LLC
    Inventors: Robert V. Albertson, David Albertson
  • Patent number: 8800748
    Abstract: An edge justification device for a mail processing machine. The device shifts the mailpiece from bottom edge justified to top edge justified. The amount of shift is determined as a function of the height of the mail piece. One embodiment solves the problem of switching from bottom to top registration by having a series of steerable nips, which are arranged in line, parallel to the mail flow direction. As the mail piece travels though the justifier, the nips will rotate to impart a lateral velocity to the mail piece, shifting it over to properly justify it. In a further embodiment, the nips of the justification device are not steerable. Rather, a whole nip assembly that is transporting the mail piece is moved laterally to switch from bottom to top justification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony E. Yap, Arthur H. DePoi
  • Patent number: 8776993
    Abstract: An article conveyer belt assembly used for example, in a coin sorting device for positively pushing an article, such as a coin along a support surface is provided. A toothed belt has teeth for transmission of power by mounting a plurality of pushers on the belt with a connector removably mounted with a connecting body, a first holder and a second holder spaced a distance from each other to hold onto the conveyor belt. One of the first and second holders has a hook member to close a spaced opening at one end. The first and second holders are cantilevered to be mounted on a conveyor belt. At the other end of the connector body a pusher unit has a first shaft part and a second shaft part cantilevered from the connector body, with a hollow roller snap fitted on the first shaft part and the second shaft part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Asahi Seiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayoshi Umeda
  • Patent number: 8746435
    Abstract: A transport device for transporting products and a sorting device provided therewith are disclosed. A transporting method making use of these systems is also disclosed. The transport device according to the exemplary embodiment comprises, a frame engaging means connected to the frame for operatively connecting the transport device to a drive system; and rotatable carrier means connected to the frame for operatively connecting the transport device to a drive system; and a rotatable carrier means connected to the frame for carrying a product, wherein the carrier means is rotatable about a shaft substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport of the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: De Greef's Wagen-, Carrosserie- en Machinebouw B.V.
    Inventor: Wilhelm Jan Nijland
  • Patent number: 8640851
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: PowerMag, LLC
    Inventors: Robert V. Albertson, David Albertson
  • Patent number: 8622195
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Robert V. Albertson
  • Patent number: 8590691
    Abstract: A logistics system for a sheet-processing machine, in particular a printing press, permits pallets and sheet stacks on transport boards to be displaced along transport paths. Storage spaces are provided for the intermediate storage of sheet stacks and a corner transfer device is provided for the transverse displacement of pallets and sheet stacks. The corner transfer device has two height-adjustable conveying devices disposed at right angles with respect to one another. The transport boards cover the transport path at ground level and the corner transfer device is configured in such a way that all of the transport boards are conveyed at a common height level, for example the height level of the machine hall floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Andreas Müller
  • Patent number: 8573381
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: PowerMag, LLC
    Inventors: David Albertson, Robert V. Albertson
  • Patent number: 8567587
    Abstract: It is disclosed a matrix conveyor (10) comprising: a plurality of individual roller modules (28), wherein respectively one roller module (28) is arranged at each point of intersection of a regular grid-shaped structure (68), and wherein the roller modules (28) commonly define a conveying plane (30), which is substantially planar, for transporting a conveying good (72) thereon; and a superordinated control device (12) being adapted to individually control each of the individual roller modules (28) so that the conveying good (72) can be transported along a path (74), which can be planned in advance, wherein a shape of the path (74) is defined by a plurality of overlaps of at least two basic conveying directions (60, 62) of the conveying plane (30); wherein the at least two basic conveying directions (60, 62) geometrically span the conveying plane (30), and wherein each of the roller modules (64) is drivable in only one of the at least two basic conveying directions (60), wherein directly adjacent roller modules
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: SSI Schaefer Noell GmbH Lager—und Systemtechnik
    Inventors: Bernd Faist, Axel Müller
  • Patent number: 8534448
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: PowerMag, LLC
    Inventors: Robert V. Albertson, David Albertson
  • Patent number: 8511457
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: PowerMag, LLC
    Inventor: Robert V. Albertson
  • Patent number: 8511456
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: PowerMag, LLC
    Inventors: Robert V. Albertson, David Albertson
  • Patent number: 8474596
    Abstract: The invention describes a transfer conveying apparatus (1) having small conveying rollers (14) which form a conveying plane (13) for an item of transported goods (3) for a main conveying direction and at least one auxiliary conveying direction with a pivoting apparatus for pivoting the small conveying rollers (14) about pivot axes which extend perpendicularly with respect to the conveying plane (13) and with a drive apparatus for the small conveying rollers (14). A load-bearing frame of the transfer conveying apparatus (1) having at least one row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) arranged transversely with respect to the main conveying direction and having pivoting transfer and drive transfer for the row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) forms a conveying module which is connected detachably to a base module having at least one pivoting drive arrangement and at least one small-roller drive arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: TGW Mechanics GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Wolkerstorfer, Markus Wolkerstorfer
  • Publication number: 20130126300
    Abstract: The invention describes a transfer conveying apparatus (1) having small conveying rollers (14) which form a conveying plane (13) for an item of transported goods (3) for a main conveying direction and at least one auxiliary conveying direction with a pivoting apparatus for pivoting the small conveying rollers (14) about pivot axes which extend perpendicularly with respect to the conveying plane (13) and with a drive apparatus for the small conveying rollers (14). A load-bearing frame of the transfer conveying apparatus (1) having at least one row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) arranged transversely with respect to the main conveying direction and having pivoting transfer means and drive transfer means for the row (11) of the small conveying rollers (14) forms a conveying module which is connected detachably to a base module having at least one pivoting drive arrangement and at least one small-roller drive arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: TGW MECHANICS GMBH
    Inventor: TGW MECHANICS GMBH
  • Patent number: 8418832
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: PowerMag, LLC
    Inventors: Robert V. Albertson, David Albertson
  • Patent number: 8408378
    Abstract: A permanent magnet air heater has a housing with an internal chamber accommodating an electric motor rotating a fan to move air through the housing. A non-ferrous member having bores for cylindrical magnets and a steel member with a copper plate secured to the steel member are rotated relative to each other by the motor whereby the magnetic field between the magnets and copper plate generates heat which is transferred to air in the housing moving through the housing by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: PowerMag, LLC
    Inventor: Robert V. Albertson
  • Patent number: 8360227
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for orienting thin glass plates (11) in a contamination-free manner. Said method and apparatus have the following features: a) in order to orient the glass plate (11), a lifting frame (1) is raised from below through the free space between the rolls (13) along with an orienting frame (2) which rests on the lifting frame (1) and is fitted with struts (7) that are connected in a rotatably hinged fashion to the orienting frame (2) and are provided with supporting elements (8) which penetrate the free space between the rolls (13), project beyond the supporting level of the rolls (13), and support the glass plate (11); b) the glass plate (11) is placed in a shock-free manner by means of sliding elements (3) that are actuated by individually controllable drive units (4), the movement of the sliding elements (3) being transmitted to the two longitudinal cross beams of the orienting frame (2) by means of pivot joints (6) which are fastened to the sliding elements (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Niewiera
  • Patent number: 8364307
    Abstract: A conveying system may include a frame that supports a plurality of rollers which carry articles thereon. At least one of the rollers may be a motorized roller with first and second motors adapted to rotate an outer cylindrical shell of the motorized roller. A controller external to the motorized roller may send speed control commands to the motorized roller to control both the first and second motors in a manner that increases torque of the motorized roller. The motors may be controlled in four quadrant mode, or two quadrant mode, or a combination thereof. The motorized roller may be used in a right angle transfer mechanism, or in other components of a conveying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Dematic Corp.
    Inventors: Randall J. Carlson, Kevin M. Schestag, Daniel O. Amarandei, Wynn M. Pelak, Randall D. Houtman, Matthew T. Brayman
  • Patent number: 8312981
    Abstract: A method and a device for the contamination-free, precise-track conveying and rotating on one plane of thin, impact-sensitive crystalline panels, in particular glass panels is described. The method includes the following features: a) a glass panel (6) is conveyed over parallel mounted carriers (9) of a roller conveyor, the surface of the rollers having a thread-type structure; b) to alter the travelling direction of a glass panel (6), other supplementary rollers (7) are provided in the space between the rollers (8) in the appropriate region of the roller conveyor, said other rollers being lifted above the level of the roller conveyor by means of a lifting device; and c) to rotate a glass panel (6) independently of the travelling direction, other supplementary rollers (10) are provided in the space between the rollers (8) in the appropriate region of the roller conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Franz
  • Patent number: 8225922
    Abstract: A transverse-roller conveyor belt and a conveyor system providing a drive mechanism for driving the rollers in the belt to divert conveyed articles. The conveyor belt includes belt rollers that each engage a pair of smaller-diameter, article-conveying rollers. The conveyor system's drive mechanism, when selectively actuated, rotates the belt rollers, which rotate the article-supporting rollers to divert conveyed articles toward or off the side of the belt. Gaps between at least some of the pairs of article-supporting rollers admit the teeth of a transfer comb to strip remaining articles off the downstream end of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 8172069
    Abstract: A diverter conveyor system for a modular belt. The modular belt has at least two belt modules disposed in rows. At least two rows of spheres are disposed in the belt modules and extend through the top and bottom surfaces of the modules. The rows of spheres may be supported by a single cylindrical roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventor: Ramaswamy Prakasam
  • Patent number: 8167120
    Abstract: A load moving apparatus is operable to move a load, such as a stack of sheet product, in a first and second direction on a staging area. The load moving apparatus includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a translating device. The first conveyor defines the staging area and is configured to move a load in a first direction. The second conveyor is positioned within the staging area and is configured to move the load in a second direction different from the first direction. The translating device is configured to move vertically one of the first conveyor and the second conveyor relative to the other of the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The load moving apparatus can be used to build or break down loads entering the staging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Systec Corporation
    Inventors: Achie B. Russell, Christopher Harris, Sean Finley, Donald West
  • Patent number: 8132661
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for selectively diverting products sideways from a load-bearing conveying surface of a conveyor that is moving in a direction of transport, comprising a frame, an elongated diverter element having an upstream end, a downstream end and a deflecting surface there between, pivoting means for pivoting the diverter element in a reciprocal fashion about a vertical pivot axis extending on one side of the conveying surface, between a passive position, in which the diverter element extends beside the conveying surface so as to allow products to pass freely on the conveying surface, and an active position, in which the diverter element extends at least partially above the conveying surface for diverting products present on the conveying surface sideways from said conveying surface, and driving means for driving the deflecting surface with respect to a remaining part of the diverter element at least in the active position, wherein the pivoting means are arranged for translating the divert
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Vanderlande Industries Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Erwin Hendrikus Petrus Martinus Johannes Van Schaijk, Bram Antonius Carolus Van Rijt
  • Patent number: 8123021
    Abstract: Methods for singulating laterally abutting conveyed articles in a conveyor (60). The method includes separating laterally abutting articles by means of a first conveyor section (62) having in-line rollers (64) or oblique rollers rotating at a first speed in a conveying direction (70) and a second laterally adjacent conveyor section (63) having oblique rollers (65) rotating at a second speed in a direction causing articles atop the oblique rollers (65) in the second section (63) to diverge from articles atop the rollers in the first section. Differing the roller speeds helps the abutting articles to increase their separation in the conveying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Joseph M. DePaso, Felix H. Lapeyre, III
  • Patent number: 7971701
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a conveyor system includes a conveyor belt having a plurality of conveyor belt rollers configured to divert articles on the conveyor belt, and a drive mechanism that engages the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being configured to drive the conveyor belt rollers, the drive mechanism being adjustable such that the conveyor belt rollers can be selectively driven in a first angular direction and, optionally, a second, opposite angular direction so that articles can be selectively diverted to either side of the conveyor belt at a desired diverting angle. One version of the drive mechanism has drive rollers mounted in cartridges and rack gears engaging pinion gears on the cartridges to adjust the orientation of the drive rollers relative to the belt rollers to drive them in selectively opposite angular directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 7878319
    Abstract: A sorting switch for diverting articles from one or more infeed conveyors to two or more outfeed conveyors. A cannulae pre-alignment conveyor receives articles from one or more infeed conveyors and selectively diverts individual articles into two or more lateral regions for delivery to an alignment conveyor downstream. The alignment conveyor more precisely aligns the articles within each of the regions for delivery to outfeed conveyors at the downstream end of the alignment conveyor. The alignment and pre-alignment conveyors are realized as belt conveyors with rollers arranged to rotate universally or on axes in specific orientations. In some versions, a belt's rollers roll on bearing surfaces whenever the belt is advancing. In other versions, rollers are selective actuated by moving bearing surfaces. In yet other versions, rollers are not contacted by bearing surfaces at all.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, Eric M. Pressler
  • Publication number: 20110022221
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for sorting a mass flow of articles without collisions between articles. The apparatus includes a sorting conveyor having a plurality of article-supporting belt rollers selectively rotatable in a direction transverse to the direction of belt travel. The belt rollers are selectively rotated in individual grid cells formed along the conveyor's carryway. A control system creates an image of the incoming mass flow, computes trajectories along the sorting conveyor for each package, and actuates or deactuates the belt rollers passing through each grid cell according to the trajectories to orderly and rapidly divert articles off the side of the sorting conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 7819233
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for selectively diverting products sideways from a load-bearing conveying surface of a conveyor that is moving in a direction of transport, comprising a frame, an elongated diverter element having an upstream end, a downstream end and a deflecting surface there between, pivoting means for pivoting the diverter element in a reciprocal fashion about a vertical pivot axis extending on one side of the conveying surface, between a passive position, in which the diverter element extends beside the conveying surface so as to allow products to pass freely on the conveying surface, and an active position, in which the diverter element extends at least partially above the conveying surface for diverting products present on the conveying surface sideways from said conveying surface, and driving means for driving the deflecting surface with respect to a remaining part of the diverter element at least in the active position, wherein the pivoting means are arranged for translating the divert
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Vanderlande Industries Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Erwin Hendrikus Petrus Martinus Johannes Van Schaijk, Bram Antonius Carolus Van Rijt
  • Patent number: 7815032
    Abstract: Roller assemblies for transporting and laterally shifting pipe section, or joints, on oil and gas exploration and production laybarges, drilling/production vessels and platforms, and pipe spooling yards are disclosed. The roller assemblies comprise rollers that are capable of being tilted to facilitate lateral shifting of the pipe sections or joints. The roller assemblies comprise a frame, a tilting assembly, a roller frame pivotally connected to the tilting assembly and the frame, and a roller rotatably connected to the roller frame by an axle. The tilting assembly lifts one end of the roller frame to tilt the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Control Flow Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Preston, H. Paul Reinhardt, Jr., Loren D. Skiles
  • Patent number: 7735625
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for unloading a load support, particularly a tray, which can be loaded with at least one packing unit, particularly with a pallet layer of packing units, includes a roller array comprising a plurality of driven rollers, and having a size which corresponds substantially to a size of a loading area of the load support; and a lifting mechanism lifting the roller array or lowering the load support such that the rollers engage through holes within the loading area of the load support, in order to remove from the loading area a packing unit, preferably in a desired manner, by driving the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: SSI Schäfer Noell GmbH Lager- und Systemtechnik
    Inventor: Gerhard Schäfer