On Rotating Carrier (e.g., Star Wheel, Etc.) Patents (Class 198/441)
  • Patent number: 11857398
    Abstract: An apparatus for conveying and applying a discrete part to a substrate includes a plurality of transfer puck assemblies, a drive assembly, and a translation mechanism. The plurality of transfer puck assemblies is adapted to convey the discrete part to the substrate, and each transfer puck assembly includes at least one puck segment. The drive assembly is configured to rotate each transfer puck assembly about a drive axis. The translation mechanism is configured to translate the at least one puck segment in an axial direction as the plurality of transfer puck assemblies are being rotated about the drive axis to move the discrete part to a profiled configuration prior to application of the profiled discrete part to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
    Inventors: Paul A. Weber, Michael L. Lohoff, Matthew J. Maigatter
  • Patent number: 11642828
    Abstract: Provided is a device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers, having a feed device for feeding the plastic preforms to the device, at least one first preform store, a multiplicity of plastic preforms being arranged unsorted in the preform store, and having an alignment device for bringing the plastic preforms into a predetermined position before feeding them to the device. The device includes at least a second preform store, wherein a plurality of plastic preforms of exactly one production batch can be accommodated in each preform store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Lappe, Jochen Hirdina, Robert Aust
  • Patent number: 11083857
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. The cartridges may be assembled by transporting carriages between various substations at which parts are added to a base. In another assembly method, the base may be moved between a plurality of robots which direct the base downwardly into contact with components to couple the components therewith. An inspection system may inspect the cartridges at various stages of completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: RAI Strategic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Philippe Ampolini, Timothy Brian Nestor, Jack Gray Flinchum, Jr., Wayne Douglas Brown, Nicholas Harrison Watson, Charles Jacob Novak, III, Paul Andrew Brinkley, James Robert Covino, John DePiano, Edward Louis Dickinson, Eugene R. Harris, Kevin Edward Keough, David Jay Smith, John Hook, Michael LaCourse, Robert Metcalf, Steven Hart, David Pelletier, Marc Bourque, Nathaniel Cambray, John William Wolber, James William McClellan, Steven R. Mongillo, Frank S. Silveira, Michael Laine, Quentin Paul Guenther, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11046566
    Abstract: A container-treatment machine comprises first and second motors, a bearing device, a ring gear, and a gyroscope that rotates about a rotation axis and receives containers. The motors are arranged in corresponding first and second columns and couple to corresponding first and second pinions. They are fixed relative to the bearing device. The ring gear is mounted on the bearing device and includes a circular tooth arrangement that meshes with the pinions. The pinions are arranged at a distance from one another along a circumferential direction of the tooth arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: KHS GmbH
    Inventor: Alex Seewald-Raider
  • Patent number: 10983138
    Abstract: A sample handling device for a laboratory automation system comprising a first carousel with a disc supported on a first axis, a second carousel with a disc supported on a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a transfer element between the first and second carousels is presented. Each disc has recesses distributed radially about the disc perimeter. Each recess receives a tube carrier. The first carousel and the second carousel connect via a passage for transferring sample tube carriers between the first and second carousels. The transfer element is a track switch which when in a rest position partly closes the passage to separate the first carousel from the second carousel. The track switch is swiveled and/or rotated about a third axis parallel to the first axis out of the rest position for transferring a tube carrier from the first carousel to the second carousel via the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gottlieb Schacher, Beat Jaeggi, Patrik Imfeld, Harald Ferihumer
  • Patent number: 10494043
    Abstract: A vehicle production assembly includes a discontinuous conveyor system to support a vehicle. The conveyor system includes a first side conveyor chain, a second side conveyor chain, and a plurality of middle conveyor chains longitudinally spaced between the first and second conveyor chains. The conveyor chains can be mechanically synchronized with a single motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Adam Pych
  • Patent number: 10427890
    Abstract: A vehicle production assembly line includes a conveyor system to support a vehicle. The conveyor system includes a first side conveyor chain, a second side conveyor chain, and a middle conveyor chain positioned between the first side conveyor chain and the second side conveyor chain. The first side conveyor chain, the second side conveyor chain, and the middle conveyor chain are laterally aligned with each other and can be mechanically synchronized with a single motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Automatic Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeremy Adam Pych
  • Patent number: 10364105
    Abstract: Puck handling device for a conveyor system, comprising a puck handling disc and a drive means for rotating the puck handling disc, where the puck handling disc comprises a first semi-circular disc comprising a first cut-out and a second semi-circular disc comprising a second cut-out, where the first semi-circular disc and the second semi-circular disc are individually rotatable by the drive means, and where the first cut-out and the second cut-out forms a recess adapted to hold a puck when the puck handling disc is arranged in a first holding state. The advantage of the invention is that a puck handling device adapted to direct a puck from any of two infeed conveyors to any of two outfeed conveyors is provided. This allows for a flexible and quick handling of pucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: FlexLink AB
    Inventors: Sven-Erik Eckerström, Michael Öhman
  • Patent number: 9987761
    Abstract: The invention is to a device and method, for cutting a can blank in which case an end section of the can blank is severed. The can blank is moved by means of a conveyor arrangement at a constant speed about a first axis of rotation. Preferably, a laser beam is used as the cutting means. A deflecting arrangement deflects the laser beam to a focal point where the side surface of the can blank is located. Due the rotation of the can blank about its longitudinal axis, the axial end section of said can blank is severed. The focal point of the laser beam does not change relative to the longitudinal axis of the can blank during the laser cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SCHULER PRESSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Blei, Uwe Gunther
  • Patent number: 9969567
    Abstract: In transferring and conveying an article between rotation conveyance bodies, the rotation conveyance bodies (1, 2) are placed so as to have a prescribed gap between pitch circles thereof, and the article is conveyed along a transition curve whose curvature continuously varies from the pitch circle curvature of a rotation conveyance body (1) before the transfer to the pitch circle curvature of a rotation conveyance body (2) after the transfer between both the pitch circles, whereby the article is transferred and conveyed with acceleration smoothly varying and without a change in the distance between the axes of the rotation conveyance bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOYO SEIKAN CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Kurosawa
  • Patent number: 9931674
    Abstract: An inspection and ejector unit for preforms for plastic containers in a transportation line, has at least one driver device which picks up preforms travelling from an inward conveyor device to the inspection and ejector unit, transports them further and passes on at least some of the preforms to an outward conveyor device, at least one detection device by which faulty preforms in the driver device are detected, and at least one ejection device by which preforms which are detected as faulty are removed from the driver device, and a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: M. TANNER AG
    Inventor: Marcel Tanner
  • Patent number: 9592632
    Abstract: An inspection and ejector unit for preforms for plastic containers in a transportation line, has at least one driver device which picks up preforms travelling from an inward conveyor device to the inspection and ejector unit, transports them further and passes on at least some of the preforms to an outward conveyor device, at least one detection device by which faulty preforms in the driver device are detected, and at least one ejection device by which preforms which are detected as faulty are removed from the driver device, and a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: M. TANNER AG
    Inventor: Marcel Tanner
  • Patent number: 9505563
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a transfer apparatus and a transport system which may be used in automated medical laboratory in-vitro diagnostic systems for handling patient samples. The transfer apparatus an embodiment of the invention comprises a rotatable disc and a lane gate. The transport system according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a transfer path arrangement including at least a first input lane and two output lanes at the transfer apparatus (i.e., the rotatable disc and the lane gate). The rotatable disc and the lane gate are cooperatively structured to function together to move at least one laboratory product transport element between the at least one input lane and the two output lanes of the transport system. The laboratory product transport element transports laboratory products, such as patient samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Otts
  • Patent number: 9393733
    Abstract: An inspection and ejector unit for preforms for plastic containers in a transportation line, has at least one driver device which picks up preforms travelling from an inward conveyor device to the inspection and ejector unit, transports them further and passes on at least some of the preforms to an outward conveyor device, at least one detection device by which faulty preforms in the driver device are detected, and at least one ejection device by which preforms which are detected as faulty are removed from the driver device, and a corresponding method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: M. TANNER AG
    Inventor: Marcel Tanner
  • Patent number: 9027736
    Abstract: A rotary conveyor apparatus, for collecting, transferring and releasing containers, includes: a platform (9) rotating according to a rotation axis (AA); trolleys (3), supported by the platform, and slidable in a corresponding slit extending from the periphery (9B) to the center of rotation through an internal conduit (6), within the trolleys a certain degree of suction is created for a determined rotation angle of the platform through a suction box (4), arranged at the lower part and in contact with the platform, including a suction opening (7) extending along an angular section thereof. The trolleys are movable relative to the rotation of the platform, and are moved from the periphery to the center of rotation and vice versa during a complete rotation of the platform. The movement action is directed by a first guide closed loop-like on the box and a second radial guide integral with the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Lanfranchi S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Lanfranchi
  • Patent number: 8813948
    Abstract: A device for transferring articles between a first machine implementing intermittent movement of the articles at a first predetermined pitch, and a second machine implementing continuous movement of the articles at a second predetermined pitch. The device includes a flexible conveyor extending around at least two pulleys so as to have at least one rectilinear segment facing a conveyor of the first machine and a rounded segment facing a conveyor of the second machine. The flexible conveyor of the device carries laterally-projecting article-handling members arranged at regular intervals in such a manner that the handling members are at a pitch corresponding to the first pitch in the rectilinear segment. The rounded segment has a radius such that the handling members are at a pitch corresponding to the second pitch in the rounded segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Serac Group
    Inventor: Jacky Brunee
  • Patent number: 8807324
    Abstract: The invention concerns a machine for distributing tablets on a support strip having a determinate number “n” of compartments or alveoli organized in parallel rows and each able to hold at least one tablet. The machine comprises a separation, preparation and alignment device, a conveyor device with transfer pipes and a rotating transfer drum provided with seatings on an external surface. The seatings are made on distinct gripping and transport elements, disposed peripherally and axially to the transfer drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche SpA
    Inventor: Ivano Baroncini
  • Patent number: 8584829
    Abstract: A method of safe transfer of filter segments to a grouping belt in a process of producing multi-segment filters. The method includes transferring the filter segments using a filter segments' flow track, wherein the filter segments' flow track includes, consecutively, a zone of delivery of prepared segments, a zone of separation of delivered segments by a separating unit, a zone of intercepting of separated segments by a transferring unit, a zone of transferring segments by the transferring unit, and a zone of placing the segments by the transferring unit on a horizontal path of the grouping belt; detecting incorrect flow of filter segments in any zone and/or between the zones; and moving the transferring unit and/or the separating unit out of the filter segments' flow track if an incorrect flow of filter segments is detected, and interrupting the process of producing multi-segment filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Tobacco Machinery Poland SP. Z O.O.
    Inventor: Bartosz Cieslikowski
  • Patent number: 8458874
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying tags with attached elastic anchor bands onto the tops of objects such as bottles in a high speed packaging application. The apparatus includes an infeed assembly for feeding a web, a conveyor assembly that receives a web and conveys it along a path in an upstream direction, a rotating selector wheel, a placement assembly, a pair of rotating jaw assemblies, a vacuum cup of the selector wheel, and stretched elastic bands over the tops of respective bottles being conveyed along a path below the placing assembly. The elastic bands then snap onto the tops of their respective bottles to secure the tags to the bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly Ziegler
  • Patent number: 8047409
    Abstract: An apparatus for the metered removal of bulk material from a bin, the apparatus having a top bulk-material-filling opening, bottom bulk-material-removal opening, and a rotor that is connected in a driven manner to at least one sweeping arm disposed inside the bin near the bin's rotationally symmetrical floor and directed towards the removal opening. In order to create an apparatus for the removal of bulk material from a bin in which the mass of the removed bulk material not only can be metered very precisely, but which is also of simple design and easy to maintain, provision is made whereby the sweeping arm is attached on the bottom side of a separating element connected in a driven manner to the rotor, and whereby a settling zone is provided below the separating element in front of the sweeping arm, this zone only being open on one side to the bulk material through a feed opening, and on the other side to the removal opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Schenck Process GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schweizer, Stefan Breunig
  • Patent number: 7997401
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for displacing objects (2) relative to a transport track (10) along which the objects (2) are moved, comprising a plurality of displacement devices (4) which displace at least some of the objects (2) relative to this transport track (10), wherein the displacement devices (4) have at least one displacement element (6) which in at least one region can be brought into contact with the objects (2) in order to displace the latter relative to the transport track (10). According to the invention, the displacement elements (6) can pivot about a predefined pivot axis (S) and movement devices (8) which are respectively assigned to the displacement elements (6) are provided such that various displacement elements (6) can be displaced in their entirety relative to the transport track (10) onto different transport paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Manfred Fischer
  • Patent number: 7942256
    Abstract: An apparatus for handling articles (4) through a multi-stage process, the apparatus comprising at least one rotatable process turret (2) having a number of pockets (3), wherein each pocket (3) is adapted to support an article (4). The pockets (3) are arranged in groups and each group of pockets (3A, 3B, 3C) has associated tooling (5A, 5B, 5C), which carries out one stage of the process. The articles (4) are initially fed into one group of pockets (3A) only. A re-phase means (6) is provided to transfer the article (4) from one group of pockets (3A, 3B) to another (3B, 3C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Jonathan Coates
  • Patent number: 7909156
    Abstract: A turnover device for turning over a substrate comprises a motor and a tumbler driven by the motor to rotate. The tumbler is provided with a transmission mechanism thereon and connected to an upper turntable and a lower turntable with the transmission mechanism, the tumbler can drive the upper turntable and the lower turntable to rotate, the transmission mechanism can drive the upper turntable and the lower turntable to move toward each other, and the substrate to be turned over is disposed between the upper turntable and the lower turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bin Wen
  • Patent number: 7810630
    Abstract: An arrangement for the distribution of products (Pn) includes a distribution device consisting of a phaser (23) that includes two belts (50, 52) driven independently and each comprising at least one cam (60) driven at a deflecting speed and selectively controlled in an operation mode for, according to a predetermined distribution sequence, contacting at least one product (Pn) of a first queue (F1) in order to deflect laterally the product (Pn) from an initial position to a determined final position which is transversally offset relative to the initial position so as to form at least a second queue of products (Pn) parallel or orthogonal to the first queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Guillaume Duchemin, Christophe Poupon
  • Patent number: 7661522
    Abstract: A container processing machine (M) with at least one carousel (1, 1?) which defines a multiple-row processing section (2, 2?), processing devices (24, 25) which move concurrently in multiple rows with the carousel, container holding element groups which are attached to sections of a concurrently moving conveyor device (3), holding elements (H), at least within the processing section (2, 2?), that are positioned next to each other transversely to the conveyance direction, and feed and removal systems (Z, A) for the loading and the unloading of the holding elements (H). The feed and removal systems (Z, A) are designed with a single row, while the holding elements (H) of the groups are resettable between a single-row position, in which they are oriented at least approximately parallel to the conveyance direction, and, in the area of the loading and unloading zones (L, E), a position resetting device (U) for the holding elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Hausladen
  • Patent number: 7621390
    Abstract: A method and device for conveying articles on a continuously-operating machine for filling capsules with at least one pharmaceutical product, whereby each article is conveyed inside a respective seat on a transfer wheel, and is retained inside the seat by friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: MG 2 - S.r.l.
    Inventor: Angelo Ansaloni
  • Patent number: 7568573
    Abstract: A container machine and method, the machine comprising: an exit track for containers; a primary starwheel holding processed containers and moving the processed containers along a pitch line path toward the exit track; a sorter starwheel positioned adjacent to the primary starwheel and driven in phase synchronization with the primary starwheel; a sorter track for providing a path for containers held by the sorter starwheel; a diverter mechanism to divert at least a selected one of the processed containers on the primary starwheel to a pocket of the sorter starwheel; and a timing device for causing the diverter mechanism to operate while the primary starwheel is rotating at least at fifty percent of production speed and preferably at production speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Belvac Production Machinery, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph G. Schill
  • Patent number: 7255219
    Abstract: Conveyor drum for receiving axially aligned articles that are conveyed in a cross-axial direction toward the conveyor drum. Conveyor drum includes a separation device for changing a longitudinal axial spacing of the articles by a predetermined longitudinal axial separation, and an adjustment device structured and arranged to adjust the predetermined longitudinal axial separation. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Andreas Rinke, Matthias Jahnke, Ralf Meyer, Manfred Dombek, Johann Elges, Konrad Popp
  • Patent number: 7220932
    Abstract: A work unit for conveying bottles between two stations and for rejecting bottles considered faulty, includes a selecting disc, having a vertical axis and featuring radial seats made on its edge, for holding, in cooperation with vacuum ducts, bottles. A first track, concentric with the disc, cooperates with the seats and the vacuum ducts to guide bottles, considered good, from an inlet station to an outlet station. A second track begins in an intermediate point of the first track and extends to intersect the first track, and leads to a discharge station. The second track guides, with the cooperation of removing elements, the bottles considered faulty, from the first track to the discharge station, due to deactivation of the vacuum ducts with respect to the seats situated upstream of the discharge station and containing the faulty bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Marchesini Group S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 7200975
    Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, having a transfer device for the transfer of containers from a transfer starwheel to the carousel of a container handling machine. A transfer device for container handling machines such as fillers, rinsers or cappers for the handling of containers with a neck ring, with a circulating carousel on which there are handling spaces for the container, with at least one infeed starwheel, whereby the transfer device comprises a rigid transfer arm and optionally a drive system to move the transfer arm back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: KHS Maschinen-und Anlagenbau AG
    Inventor: Volker Till
  • Patent number: 7017900
    Abstract: Transporting an essentially sheet-shaped element, particularly for transporting a print material sheet in a printing press in which the sheet-shaped element is taken hold of by at least one rotating transport having at least one mouth-like receptacle for introducing the front-edge region of the sheet-shaped element at a grasping location in its front-edge region, entrained up to a delivery location and delivered there, the sheet-shaped element being bent during the entraining over a rotation or curvature radius. The sheet-shaped element is taken hold of by at least one grasping device in the region of the mouth-like receptacle, particularly actively and in a compulsory manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Dirk Dobrindt
  • Patent number: 6854587
    Abstract: A tamale loading apparatus (10) includes a converging mechanism (61) and diverter wheels (83, 84) to position tamales (200) on a belt (24). The belt is run at a speed to fly the tamales (200) into a can (300) wherein the tamales are automatically loaded and it is no longer necessary to load the tamales (200) by hand into the cans (300).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Gary A. Handel, Jeffrey J. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20040140176
    Abstract: A conveying device for a plate-like workpiece, comprising a suction-holding means for suction-holding the plate-like workpiece and a moving means for moving the suction-holding means between a first predetermined position and a second predetermined position, wherein
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Takaaki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20040108186
    Abstract: Conveyor drum for receiving axially aligned articles that are conveyed in a cross-axial direction toward the conveyor drum. Conveyor drum includes a separation device for changing a longitudinal axial spacing of the articles by a predetermined longitudinal axial separation, and an adjustment device structured and arranged to adjust the predetermined longitudinal axial separation. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Andreas Rinke, Matthias Jahnke, Ralf Meyer, Manfred Dombek, Johann Elges, Konrad Popp
  • Patent number: 6736257
    Abstract: A transfer device is provided for transferring articles from a first conveying device to a second conveying device. The device has a central body and a plurality of transfer element sets attached to the central body. Each transfer element set comprises a plurality of pivoting transfer elements, and each transfer element has a receptacle for receiving an article. The plurality of transfer element sets are arranged around a perimeter of the central body. A first pivoting transfer element and a second pivoting transfer element within one of the transfer element sets are axially offset relative to each other along a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Hauni Maschinenbau AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Steiniger, Erwin Oesterling
  • Publication number: 20040050666
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying rod-shaped articles in the tobacco-processing industry, wherein a holding vacuum is used to hold the articles on a conveying drum. For removal of an article, in a transfer region to a removal drum, the holding vacuum at the conveying drum is stopped for the removal and a holding vacuum is applied to the removal drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: HAUNI Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Morke, Berthold Maiwald, Heidi Stolz
  • Patent number: 6669004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transportation system (10) for transporting objects (WSx), in particular workpieces, including a plurality of parallel or substantially parallel transportation paths (12, 14, 16) and a device (18) for shifting the objects (WSx) between at least two adjacent transportation paths (12, 14, 16). In order to reduce both the space required for the transportation path and the time consumption for displacing the workpieces between the transportation paths, it is proposed that the transportation paths (12, 14, 16) are disposed one above the other in different planes, and that the workpieces (WSx) on being shifted are moved on a path (30) that defines a plane extending perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the transportation paths (12, 14, 16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Schneider Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Schoop, Siegfried Ralf Neubert, Eckart I. Tietze
  • Patent number: 6591967
    Abstract: A conveyor system for discrete entities, including a gathering member supplied by at least two upstream units (26, 27) each of which brings to the gathering member a series of entities (11, 13), and wherein the entities leave the gathering member in a single line. The gathering member includes a gathering wheel (36) driven in rotation and provided with several slots (38, 39) emerging radially at the periphery of the wheel for receiving each entity, and the slots of a common series have the same radial depth, the series of slots being differentiated by the depth of their slots, and each series of slots is associated exclusively with an upstream unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Sidel
    Inventors: Gerard Doudement, Bruno Galloni
  • Patent number: 6523670
    Abstract: Conveying apparatus and method are disclosed for receiving articles, such as cans, adjusting, or rearranging, the received articles between single and multiple lines during conveyance, and/or adjusting the spacing between the articles so that the articles are spaced from one another a preselected distance, including, if needed, equal spacing between the articles in the single and multiple lines. Rearrangement of the articles in single to multiple line mode (or, alternately, in multiple to single line mode) and/or control of spacing of the articles are/is effected by conveyance of the articles to and between a plurality of article actuators, each including a rotatable disk having negative pressure thereat for selectively establishing and maintaining engagement of the articles with the peripheral portions of the disks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Goldco Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald J. Simkowski
  • Patent number: 6491153
    Abstract: A method for splitting a product stream comprising the steps of delivering a plurality of products to an circular path, transferring a first product of the plurality of products inwardly from the circular path to a first substream, and transferring a second product of the plurality of products inwardly from the circular path to a second substream. Further provided is a device for splitting a product stream comprising a support rotatable about a central axis, the support having an outer circumference and an inner circumference; and at least one transfer device attached to the support for receiving products of the product stream, the transfer device having a first position for receiving a first product of the products at the outer circumference and a second position for delivering the first product to a substream at the inner circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Robert Paul Cassoni, John Lawrence Herman
  • Patent number: 6467609
    Abstract: The output end of a very high speed continuous motion cylindrical can decorator is provided with unloading apparatus in the form of a continuously moving closed loop suction belt supplied by first and second continuously rotating, parallel axis, suction applying conveyor wheels. Cans held on the second wheel are on two concentric circular tracks and are transferred by suction to the belt. The first wheel carries cans along a single row circular path. In a region where the first and second wheels overlap partially, alternate cans on the path are delivered to one track of the second wheel and the remaining alternate cans on the path are delivered to the other track of the second wheel. Alternate cans supported on the first wheel may be moved radially so that the cans on the first wheel are in two rows which intersect the two tracks on the second wheel at respective common tangents of each row and the respective track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Sequa Can Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Williams, Russell Di Donato
  • Patent number: 6467606
    Abstract: A rotary diverter can be operated at high speed to divert selected products from one conveyor to a vertically displaced second conveyor. The rotary diverter can have at least one rotary member with a plurality of radial arms. Each radial arm can have an end effector with a lifting platform. A timing belt may be coupled to each end effector to the rotary member in order to keep the lifting platform substantially horizontal. A control system is provided to control a drive mechanism for rotating the rotary member. As the rotary member rotates, the lifting platform of the end effector rises through the first conveyor to lift a selected product over the second conveyor. As the rotary member continues to rotate the lifting platform can then descend through the second conveyor to deliver the selected product upon the second conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Langen Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Elent, Ronald W Martin, Constantin Mighiu
  • Patent number: 6170636
    Abstract: The invention relates to an application drum for use in the production of absorbent articles. The application drum has a longitudinal axis of rotation and comprises material engagement means on the outside thereof for both collecting and delivering a material component. In order to be able to use only a single drum and still be able to place material components more to one or the, other side of the center-line of a conveyor belt, the material engagement means is arranged for reciprocal movement with respect to the drum in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Hans Een, Lennart Nilsson, Jan-Erik Hallin, Kent Edgren
  • Patent number: 6158735
    Abstract: A stream of signatures is delivered by a conveyer belt to an angled conveyer. The angled conveyor grips a set of signatures from the stream. The gripped set of signatures is transported by the angled conveyer to a third conveyer belt, and deposited on the third conveyer belt. By transporting the set of signatures at an angle, a lateral offset between the individual signatures within the set of signatures is created. A diverter on the third conveyer belt grips the laterally offset signatures, separating the signatures into substreams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Kevin Lauren Cote, Richard Daniel Curley, David Clarke Pollock
  • Patent number: 6015040
    Abstract: A device for transferring objects, especially hollow bodies, such as cans, tubes and the like, from an arriving conveying device to an exiting conveying device. At least one rotatingly driven rotor is provided. At least one holding device, for the objects, is provided which is articulated with the rotor for common drive. At least one control device is provided connected to the holding device and is restrictedly guided along a cam to generate a nonuniform conveying velocity of the holding device. The holding device is mounted on the rotor pivotably around a pivot axis located at a spaced location from a rotor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Polytype S..A.
    Inventors: Claude Goeb, Karl-Heinz Suss
  • Patent number: 5797478
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a line of containers and sorting them out so that a plurality of containers while being delivered by a supply line are separated and each of the containers is detected and rerouted on at least one exit line extending perpendicular to the supply line has at least one rotary device formed with a plurality of cells cooperating with the exit line in a controlled manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Baumer S.R.L.
    Inventor: Mario Gambetti
  • Patent number: 5749631
    Abstract: The output end of a very high speed continuous motion cylindrical can decorator is provided with unloading apparatus in the form of a continuously moving closed loop belt and a continuously rotating disk. Decorated cans are delivered to the disk, with rearward facing open ends of the cans engaging the front face of the rotating disk and being held against the front face, preferably by rearward directed suction forces. Cans are moved by the disk into close proximity with an upward moving flight of the belt, and are transferred to the latter by forward directed suction forces which act through the upward moving flight to draw the closed ends of the cans against the upward moving flight. The rearward acting suction forces act through the disk and are applied at those portions of the disk that are at angular positions which are selected to assist transfer of cans to the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Sequa Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Williams
  • Patent number: 5657850
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus for cigarettes having a catcher drum rotatable in one direction, a large number of receiving grooves formed in the outer peripheral surface of the catcher drum, each receiving groove being tunnel-shaped and permitting a received double cigarette to advance, a stopper member formed in each receiving groove and having a stopper surface, a plurality of suction holes formed in the bottom of each receiving groove for supplying a suction pressure to the receiving groove, and a hole permitting the atmosphere or suction pressure to be introduced into the receiving groove from the stopper surface of the stopper member, where the suction pressure supplied from the suction holes and the atmospheric pressure introduced from the stopper surface cooperatively cause the double cigarette advancing in the receiving groove to be stopped at a position short of the stopper member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco, Inc.
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Takehiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 5634549
    Abstract: A rotary displacer is provided on a conveyor which carries food items in predefined lanes. The rotary displacer has a rotating member with spokes extending therefrom. The spokes serve to deflect the food items to one side or the other along a direction transverse to a direction of conveyance to offset the center of the items from the center of the lane. Subsequently, the offset items are directed into a sliding alignment device, or the like, to separate each lane of items into two separate lanes. The spokes can be positioned along the transverse direction to allow various deflection configurations. For example alternating spokes can be offset in opposite directions to deflect every other item in an alternate direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Machine Builders and Design
    Inventor: Herman D. Mims
  • Patent number: 5615761
    Abstract: A unit for transferring cigarette portions from a dual rod cigarette manufacturing machine to a filter assembly machine; the transfer unit presenting a launching device for successively receiving pairs of cigarette portions arranged side by side and traveling in an axial direction, and for simultaneously feeding the portions in each pair--still substantially axially, but imparting to them a transverse component--into respective adjacent seats of a conveyor device wherein the seats for receiving the cigarette portions are parallel to the cigarette portions, and travel crosswise to the traveling direction of the cigarette portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: G.D Societa per Azioni
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Draghetti, Massimo Sartoni