Movable Gate Patents (Class 198/459.6)
  • Patent number: 12158433
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for optical inspection of parisons (2) made of thermoplastic material comprises: a conveyor (3) comprising a pair of lateral, under-flange guides 31A for holding each parison by its flange, and configured to transport the parisons (2) in succession along an inspection path; an inspection station (41, 42, 43, 51, 52), located along the inspection path and including at least one inspection camera (410, 411, 412, 413, 421, 431, 510, 511, 520, 521, 522), configured to capture image data of a parison (2) positioned in the inspection station (41, 42, 43, 51, 52), wherein the conveyor (3) has a first operating configuration for transporting parisons (2) of a first size and a second operating configuration for transporting parisons (2) of a second size, different from the first size, the conveyor (3) including at least one adjustment actuator (7), configured to move the conveyor (3) between the first and the second operating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: SACMI COOPERATIVA MECCANICI IMOLA SOCIETA′ COOPERATIVA
    Inventors: Donato Laico, Manuel Giorgi
  • Patent number: 11926487
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding transport pockets into a conveying system of a hanging conveying installation includes a conveying rail which can be coupled conveyingly to the conveying system, along which the transport pockets can each be conveyed while being hanging by a hanging adapter, a detection unit for detecting the quantity of hanging adapters arranged within a detection zone on the conveying rail, a control unit which is in signal communication with the detection unit and is configured to variably set a transport spacing for conveying the transport pockets by the conveying system, a singularizing unit which is in signal communication with the control unit and is intended for singularized feeding the hanging adapters into the conveying system with the variably set transport spacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Dürkopp Fördertechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Merten
  • Patent number: 9926144
    Abstract: A lumber transfer system for transferring pieces of lumber comprising a feeding conveyor having a conveying surface for receiving the pieces of lumber; a plurality of grasping assemblies spaced apart transversely along the conveying surface, each one of the grasping assemblies comprising a grasping finger able to be positioned independently for either grasping a piece of lumber located upstream from the grasping assembly and moving it, or preventing it from grasping a piece of lumber; a detection system for detecting a presence of a piece of lumber and producing signals; and a controller controlling the grasping assemblies for the grasping fingers to be positioned independently. The lumber transfer system is therefore able to have only grasping fingers responsible to grasp the piece of lumber to be in a grasping position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventors: Francis Lepage, Louis Beaudet
  • Patent number: 9027734
    Abstract: A buffer section for a conveying system in a high rack warehouse comprises a slide rod inclined relative to the horizontal for sliding conveyance along a conveying path in a conveying direction, which is parallel to a slide rod longitudinal axis, of a plurality of suspended conveyed goods, which are in each case suspended by means of a hook on the slide rod, and a stopper element in the conveying path at the end of at least one portion of the slide rod to stop the conveyed goods with the formation of a group of conveyed goods, wherein the stopper element has a contact face, which can be displaced between a stopper arrangement to stop the conveyed goods and a passing arrangement for allowing the conveyed goods through, for the conveyed goods, and wherein exclusively the stopper element is used to stop the conveyed goods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Duerkopp Foerdertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wend, Andreas Schwan, Thomas Johannesmann
  • Patent number: 9004259
    Abstract: Repositionable extendable stops for material handling applications include top loading/unloading stops which engage with actuator through quick disconnects. Actuators are easily repositioned to a new stop location, and the stop reconnected to the actuator by loading the stop through the top of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventor: Bryan Dale Corn
  • Patent number: 8991591
    Abstract: A separator system includes a conveyance assembly and one or more blocking components. The conveyance assembly moves a leading group of product and a trailing group of product along a feed direction toward a packaging system to separately package the leading group of product into a first container and the trailing group of product into a second container. The one or more blocking components are disposed upstream of the packaging system along the feed direction. The one or more blocking components stop movement of the trailing group of product upstream of the packaging system along the feed direction while allowing the leading group of product to move toward the packaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Fisher, Joseph A. Wukovits, John D. Sardina, Timothy J. Green, Eric K. Spina, Kerry Quinn
  • Publication number: 20150068869
    Abstract: The invention creates a single-track or multiple-track device and a corresponding method for conveying lumpy products in such a way that the products are separated from a product stream on each of the tracks and are subsequently conveyed further spaced apart uniformly and/or in groups. For this purpose, arrangements for supplying the products as a single-row product stream are provided in each track as well as arrangements for discharging the separated products distanced from one another in a row, wherein the products are transferred from the supplying arrangements to the discharging arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: LOESCH Verpackungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Peter Hammacher
  • Patent number: 8944236
    Abstract: Method and a conveyor for registering articles on a conveyor belt. The conveyor includes a registration belt having retractable flights regularly spaced along the length of the belt and article-propelling rollers between consecutive flights. The flights are raised in an upstream portion of the conveyor, and the rollers rotated to propel articles forward against the raised flights. In a downstream portion of the conveyor, a flat-top belt under the conveyor belt runs faster than the conveyor belt and causes the flights to lower and the rollers behind the lowering flights to rotate in reverse to urge the articles away from interfering with the lowering flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Publication number: 20150001043
    Abstract: A stopping apparatus according to the invention includes a swing unit pivotal about a first pivot shaft between an abutment position in which the swing unit abuts against a work to stop conveyance of the work and a retreat position, a driving unit, and an elastic member applying a biasing force to the swing unit in a direction in which the swing unit is located at the abutment position. The swing unit includes a swing portion pivotal about the first pivot shaft and a movable portion including an abutment portion abutting against the work. The movable portion is pivotally connected to the swing portion. The movable portion pivots relative to the swing portion such that a distance between the first pivot shaft and the abutment portion becomes short along with a pivot motion of the swing unit to the retreat position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bungo Matsumoto, Tetsunori Ohtaguro
  • Publication number: 20140339050
    Abstract: A conditioner for a fertilizer box configured to convey compacted particles away from a conveyor path of fertilizer particles. The conditioner may include a plurality of wings for deflecting a portion of a flow of fertilizer particles from a conveyor path. A method includes determining a constant effective dispense opening for a fertilizer box having the conditioner and using the constant effective dispense opening to determine a fertilizer dispense rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: John Peterson
  • Patent number: 8820506
    Abstract: A separator device for a conveyor has a stop (12) arranged to be moved between a separating position and a conveying position, a trigger (11) arranged to move the stop (12) into the separating position when triggered, and a delayer (20) arranged to delay a movement of the stop (12) from the separating position into the conveying position. The delayer (20) has an energy storage arranged to gain energy when the trigger (11) is triggered. The energy storage is arranged to power a rotary drive impeding the stop (12) from moving into the conveying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventor: Jerome Sejourne
  • Patent number: 8770383
    Abstract: A work stopping apparatus according to this invention includes a swing unit pivotable about a first pivot shaft between an abutment position and a retracted position, and a driving unit pivoting the swing unit. The swing unit includes a swing portion and a movable portion including a work abutment portion. The movable portion is pivotable about a second pivot shaft parallel to the first pivot shaft. A distance between the first pivot shaft and the work abutment portion becomes short along with pivoting motion of the swing unit from the abutment position to the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventor: Bungo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8708131
    Abstract: A stopper cylinder is equipped with a body having a drive unit, a piston mechanism being displaceable along an axial direction in the interior of a tube connected to the body, and a stopper lever connected to the piston mechanism for stopping conveyance of a workpiece. Displacement of the piston mechanism is restricted by an electromagnetic lock mechanism, which is disposed on the body and is excited by supply of electric power. After approaching the workpiece, by releasing a locked state of the electromagnetic lock mechanism, the piston mechanism is displaced to a position facing the workpiece by an elastic force of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Fukano, Shoichi Makado, Masaki Miyahara
  • Patent number: 8701867
    Abstract: A conveyor having a retractable stop providing a nonsliding contact surface to the leading faces of conveyed articles to prevent damage to the faces of the articles. One version of such a stop has a contact surface defined by the peripheries of rollers that rotate on the accumulated articles as the stop moves from a blocking position accumulating articles on the conveyor to a retracted position releasing accumulated articles to advance downstream along the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, Eric M. Pressler, Felix H. Lapeyre, III
  • Patent number: 8695784
    Abstract: There is provided a chain conveyor apparatus that realizes an accumulation operating environment that allows metallic articles to be readily and temporarily dammed up and retained at an accumulation position. Reduced power is required to operate the conveyor chain. Articles are attracted to and retained on the conveyor by using the magnetic force of magnet pieces. Attraction detaching pieces are built in rows of synthetic resin link modules to detach and release the articles. A projection driving mechanism is provided along a straight area on an inner circumferential side of the conveyor chain to project the attraction detaching pieces in and out of a loading surface of the rows of synthetic resin link modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Keiko Ota
  • Publication number: 20140008179
    Abstract: A work stopping apparatus according to this invention includes a swing unit pivotable about a first pivot shaft between an abutment position and a retracted position, and a driving unit pivoting the swing unit. The swing unit includes a swing portion and a movable portion including a work abutment portion. The movable portion is pivotable about a second pivot shaft parallel to the first pivot shaft. A distance between the first pivot shaft and the work abutment portion becomes short along with pivoting motion of the swing unit from the abutment position to the retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bungo MATSUMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130264171
    Abstract: A buffer section for a conveying system in a high rack warehouse comprises a slide rod inclined relative to the horizontal for sliding conveyance along a conveying path in a conveying direction, which is parallel to a slide rod longitudinal axis, of a plurality of suspended conveyed goods, which are in each case suspended by means of a hook on the slide rod, and a stopper element in the conveying path at the end of at least one portion of the slide rod to stop the conveyed goods with the formation of a group of conveyed goods, wherein the stopper element has a contact face, which can be displaced between a stopper arrangement to stop the conveyed goods and a passing arrangement for allowing the conveyed goods through, for the conveyed goods, and wherein exclusively the stopper element is used to stop the conveyed goods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Durkopp Fordertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael WEND, Andreas Schwan, Thomas Johannesmann
  • Patent number: 8550230
    Abstract: A method of moving opening devices configured to be attached to respective sealed packages of pourable food product involves: forward moving a plurality of linearly arranged opening devices in a forward direction along a path; stopping the forward movement of the linearly arranged opening devices by virtue of a forwardmost one of the opening devices contacting a stop positioned at a first position in front of the forwardmost opening device; pushing the stop to a second position at which the stop no longer prevents movement of the forwardmost opening device in the forward direction; and moving the forwardmost opening device in the forward direction past the stop located at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Menozzi, Alessandro Morselli
  • Patent number: 8499923
    Abstract: A method for channeling upright containers, which are loosely queued in a row, into a transport device is performed by a rotatable separating device, which has the purpose of separating the loosely queued containers, and a stationary accumulating device for the containers downstream of the separating device. The accumulating device has a plurality of stoppers arranged in a row in the transport direction, which can be extended individually in the direction transverse to the transport direction and, in the extended state, define holding positions for the containers. The stoppers are extended one-by-one based on sensor results to sequentially fill the holding positions of the accumulating device starting from the holding position arranged farthest from the separating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Uhlmann Pac-Systeme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Kronawitter, Stefan Angele
  • Patent number: 8342313
    Abstract: An accumulation-and-release conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate in the direction of belt travel. The rollers extend through the thickness of the belt. A movable stop is positioned along the carryway just downstream of a bearing surface that is movable into and out of contact with the rollers. When the bearing surface is out of contact with the rollers, they are freely rotatable; when the bearing surface contacts the rollers, they roll on the bearing surface to propel articles in the direction of belt travel. The stop is selectively moved between a blocking position preventing articles from passing and accumulating them with low back line pressure on the freely rotatable rollers and a release position allowing articles to pass to the accumulation zone where they are propelled forward and separated from each other by the rotation of the rollers rolling on the bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Wargo, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Publication number: 20120285799
    Abstract: A conveyor and a method for metering articles on a conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel. Article-supporting rollers in the belt are actuated by a stationary bearing surface defining an upstream acceleration zone to accelerate articles forward along the conveyor belt. An activation belt advancing in the direction of belt travel at a speed faster than the conveyor belt provides a mobile bearing surface that actuates the belt rollers to rotate opposite to the direction of belt travel in a downstream deceleration zone. The conveyor belt also has regularly spaced retractable flights, which are retracted by contact with the stationary bearing surface in the acceleration zone and extended into a blocking position by contact with the mobile bearing surface in the deceleration zone. Articles in the deceleration zone are pushed rearward atop the rollers into metered positions against the leading faces of the flights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
  • Publication number: 20120273325
    Abstract: A separator device for a conveyor has a stop (12) arranged to be moved between a separating position and a conveying position, a trigger (11) arranged to move the stop (12) into the separating position when triggered, and a delayer (20) arranged to delay a movement of the stop (12) from the separating position into the conveying position. The delayer (20) has an energy storage arranged to gain energy when the trigger (11) is triggered. The energy storage is arranged to power a rotary drive impeding the stop (12) from moving into the conveying position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: INTERROLL HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Jerome Sejourne
  • Patent number: 8104604
    Abstract: A lumber transfer system and a method for individually transferring lumbers from a feeding conveyor to an outfeed conveyor. Detectors are used for monitoring a lumber presence along a corridor on a longitudinal conveying surface. Motorized blocking fingers located about the corridor and transversally spaced along the conveying surface are provided and are configured for moving between blocking and unblocking positions. A controller is also provided, the controller having at least one input for receiving detecting signals from the detectors respectively, the detecting signals of the detectors being respectively associated to the motorized blocking fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Carbotech International
    Inventor: Louis Beaudet
  • Patent number: 8061507
    Abstract: A sequencing unit operating along a feed path of a number of opening devices for attachment to respective sealed packages of pourable food products includes a conveyor for conveying the opening devices arranged in at least one line, and a releasable stop mechanism interacting with the opening devices downstream from the conveyor along the path. The stop mechanisms are normally set to a first configuration, in which they arrest the opening devices along the path, and are movable into a second configuration allowing travel of the opening devices. The unit also has a push mechanism traveling at predetermined intervals past the stop mechanism to move the stop mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration, so that the opening devices are fed in sequence and at a predetermined rate through the stop mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Menozzi, Alessandro Morselli
  • Publication number: 20110259715
    Abstract: An automatic delivery system includes a conveyor including powered first rollers arranged in parallel with each other defining a spacing between sequential ones of the first rollers. Fixed second rollers or fixed members are each connected to and coaxially aligned with individual ones of the first rollers and sequentially separated by the first roller spacing. The second rollers are divisible into at least two groups, each defining a loading station. Each of the loading stations has a station positioning device including at least one extension rod extending through and horizontally displaceable within the spacing between sequential ones of the first and second rollers. The station positioning device displaces a container received on the powered first rollers into and out of the loading station. A computer controlling the system and the station positioning device includes data for components inserted into the container at the loading station of each group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: ANDERSEN & ASSOCIATES
    Inventors: Anthony F. Morgott, Mark J. Jordan
  • Patent number: 8037993
    Abstract: A container carrier turning device for a specimen container provided with an ID barcode and inserted into a carrier made advancing by a conveyor belt. The turning device includes a carrier stopping arrangement for rotatably engaging a lateral surface of the carrier to stop the advancing movement of the carrier while leaving it free to rotate around the container axis, and a carrier pressing arrangement for rotatably engaging an upper surface of the carrier. An elastic arrangement forces the carrier pressing arrangement to a carrier engaging position. An idle bearing, opposite to the carrier stopping arrangement, facilitates the carrier rotation. An RFID antenna is associated with the carrier turning device to identify a container carrier tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Inpeco IP Ltd.
    Inventor: Glanandrea Pedrazzini
  • Patent number: 8006975
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided to convey and align sheets being fed to a processing machine. In the event of a machine “stop,” a sheet, which has been separated from an overlapping stream, is conveyed back into the overlapping stream by raising the rear sheet edge with a mechanical or pneumatic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Andreas Müller, Burkhard Wolf
  • Patent number: 7975825
    Abstract: In a stop module, in particular for automated machining and conveyor systems, a stop element for objects moving in a direction of motion in a movement plane is located on a base body, and the stop element is movable by an electrical rotary drive between a first terminal position, in which the stop element protrudes into the movement plane of the objects, and a second terminal position, in which the stop element enables a motion of objects in the movement plane. The motion of the stop element in and out of the movement plane of objects is implemented by a toggle lever device cooperating with the electrical rotary drive, which toggle lever device has at least two lever elements, connected to one another via a first pivot point, and the electrical rotary drive cooperates with the first pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Lindemann, Peter Ludwig
  • Patent number: 7946412
    Abstract: A conveyor for moving objects along a path is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart rollers that define the path of the conveyor. The upper edges of the rollers are aligned to define the surface of the path. Two spaced-apart side rails having inward-facing surfaces define two side boundaries of the path. A barrier assembly is disposed within a gap in one of the side rails for facilitating loading and unloading of objects onto the conveyor from one side of the conveyor. The barrier assembly is comprised of a mounting plate mounted to the conveyor and a barrier pivotally mounted to the mounting plate. The barrier has a wall section generally aligned with the inward-facing surface on one of the side rails. The barrier is movable between a first position wherein the wall section is elevated relative to the upper edges of the roller and a second position wherein the wall section is disposed below the upper edge of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Steris Inc.
    Inventors: Elie Couture, Jr., Eric Halstead
  • Patent number: 7904198
    Abstract: Tooling is described for securing to the movable end of a computer-controlled robotic arm, by which articles can be picked up, optionally rotated and lowered into a new position. The tooling comprises two blades each having a leading edge and trailing edge, movable between a first position in which their leading edges are separated by a large gap and a second position in which the leading edges overlap, or are in contact or are separated by a smaller gap. A movement restraining mechanism is included which comprises at least one resiliency deformable member located above the plane containing the two blades and spaced therefrom by a distance which is less than the thickness of each article to be picked up by the tooling. In use, as the tooling is lowered onto an article. the underside of the deformable member engages the upper surface of the article and becomes deformed in order to accommodate the thickness of the article before the blades make contact with a surface on which the article rests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: AEW Delford Systems Limited
    Inventor: Richard John Hawes
  • Patent number: 7806678
    Abstract: A system for removing trim from sheet dough including a belt defined by an upper edge, lower edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface, wherein a plurality of brushes extend from the lower edge of the belt at an orientation substantially perpendicular to the lower edge, an idler sprocket in communication with the interior surface of the belt, and a motor configured to rotate the belt about the idler sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: General Mills Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: James W. Finkowski
  • Publication number: 20100193329
    Abstract: An accumulation-and-release conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate in the direction of belt travel. The rollers extend through the thickness of the belt. A movable stop is positioned along the carryway just downstream of a bearing surface that is movable into and out of contact with the rollers. When the bearing surface is out of contact with the rollers, they are freely rotatable; when the bearing surface contacts the rollers, they roll on the bearing surface to propel articles in the direction of belt travel. The stop is selectively moved between a blocking position preventing articles from passing and accumulating them with low back line pressure on the freely rotatable rollers and a release position allowing articles to pass to the accumulation zone where they are propelled forward and separated from each other by the rotation of the rollers rolling on the bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Stephen G. Wargo, Matthew L. Fourney
  • Patent number: 7766156
    Abstract: A abutment module for automatic processing and conveying equipment having an abutment member arranged on a base for objects moving in a movement plane in a current direction of working motion. The abutment member being able to be moved in and out of the movement plane by electrical actuating apparatus. An electrical rotary drive is provided for the electrical operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventors: Helmut Worner, Sebastian Unterhuber
  • Patent number: 7673733
    Abstract: In a packaging system for packing cases with product, a product metering system is provided. The product metering system includes a first product lane along which a first product travels and a second product lane along which a second product travels. The second product is different from the first product. A first movable barrier has a first position that obstructs progress of the first product along the first product lane and a second position that allows progress of the first product along the first product lane past the first movable barrier. The first product lane and second product lane merge into a first common lane downstream of the first movable barrier, wherein when the first movable barrier is in the first position only the second product is metered to the first common lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Brenton LLC
    Inventor: Samuel D. Weller
  • Publication number: 20090266677
    Abstract: A machine for grouping packs (100) comprising: a sliding work plane (40) for advancing in sequence at least a consecutive and equidistanced row of packs (100) along a predetermined advancing direction (A) and means for retaining (50, 51) for cyclically braking the advancing of one of the packs (100) of the row with respect to the sliding work plane (40), the means for retaining comprising at least a striker body (50, 51) and means for moving (52, 53) for cyclically locating the striker body (50, 51) closed to a pack 8100) advancing on the work plane, such that the striker body (50, 51) receives the pack (100) in contact there-with, preventing the pack (100) from advancing at a same speed as a previous speed thereof on the work plane (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: A.C.M.I. Societa' Per Azioni
    Inventor: Giorgio Oppici
  • Patent number: 7565960
    Abstract: An abutment module, in particular for automatic processing and conveying systems, including an abutment member, arranged on a base body, for articles moving in a plane of motion in a current working direction, an electrical servo member capable of shifting the abutment member back by a downward stroke out of the plane of motion and by an upward stroke back into the plane of motion, a damping mechanism, coupled with the abutment member, to shift the abutment member from a first abutment position to a second terminal position in a damped manner and a return mechanism for the return of the abutment member from the terminal abutment position to the first abutment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Inventors: Helmut Worner, Sebastian Unterhuber
  • Publication number: 20090166155
    Abstract: A storage conveyor that secures a number of stored workpieces while saving space is provided. When a sprocket on a driving side is driven to rotate in a forward/reverse direction by a chain drive motor, opposing bend suppression members between a pair of chains are successively engaged/disengaged, and an opposing portion between the pair of chains is extended/retracted with respect to a workpiece conveyance surface. Thus, workpieces are passed between the workpiece conveyance surface and workpiece receivers. Consequently, the workpieces can be stored in a vertical direction (up-down direction), making it possible to secure the number of stored workpieces while saving space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Shinji Hishioka, Yasuhide Nakamura, Masashi Nakamura, Toshimitsu Sakai, Syunji Sakura, Hiroki Ishida
  • Patent number: 7546250
    Abstract: Selectively deploying barriers for intra-order separation at a retail checkout terminal includes scanning products purchased by a consumer, determining a position of at least one product in a bagging portion of the retail checkout station relative to a plurality of selectively deployable barrier members, and activating a selector element on a user interface of the retail checkout station to deploy a select one of the plurality of selectively deployable barrier members based upon the position of the at least one product in the bagging portion serve to provide an intra-order separator that shields the at least one product resting in the bagging portion from other products moving toward the bagging portion on a product transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susan W. Brosnan, Rosemarie J. DiGeorgio, Sheryl A. Paradise, Devin S. Sanders, Deborah M. Vertefeuille
  • Patent number: 7484615
    Abstract: A lever, provided with rollers, is rotatably supported with respect to a lever holder. A lock pin disposed on the lever engages with a lock pawl of a lock mechanism. Accordingly, rotary action of the lever is regulated so as to stop a workpiece that is transported in a predetermined direction. On the other hand, when the workpiece is transported in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction, a second bracket having the lock pawl is rotated due to a pressing action of the lock pin. Accordingly, the lever is released from its rotation-regulated state effected by the lock pin, whereupon the lever is rotated and displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuo Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7434663
    Abstract: A retail checkout station includes a product scanning portion and a product support member. A bagging portion is arranged at a second end portion of the product support member. The bagging portion includes a first end, a second end and an intermediate zone for supporting articles scanned at the product scanning portion. A product transport is provided on the intermediate portion of the product support member. The product transport includes a transport assembly having a first end section extending from a position adjacent the product scanning portion to a second end section that terminates adjacent the first end of the bagging portion. A plurality of barrier members are arranged between the second end section of the transport assembly and the second end of the bagging portion. The plurality of barrier members are selectively deployable to serve as an intra-order separator that shields at least one product resting in the bagging portion from other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Susan W. Brosnan, Rosemarie J. DiGeorgio, Sheryl A. Paradise, Devin S. Sanders, Deborah M. Vertefeuille
  • Patent number: 7431141
    Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying a basket or rack through a chamber having a system for stopping a rack at a predetermined location along the conveyor. The system is comprised of a rocker device mounted relative to the chamber. The rocker device has a first normal position wherein the rocker device is movable from the first normal position when the rack engages the rocker device. The rocker device has an upper arm and a lower arm. The rocker device is rotatable about an axis disposed between the upper arm and the lower arm. A magnet is disposed on the lower arm of the rocker device. A sensing element is aligned with the magnet when the rocker device is in the first normal position. The sensing element is operable to provide a signal to a system controller. A stop is mounted relative to the chamber. The stop is rotatable from a first position to a second position. The stop has a tab dimensioned to engage the rack in the conveyor system when the stop is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventors: Erik Nadeau, Louis Martineau, Michel Emond, Serge Coulombe
  • Patent number: 7419045
    Abstract: An outfeed rail is provided. The outfeed rail assembly includes a rail arm and a pivoting abutment including a support arm attached to the rail arm and a pivoting abutment attached to the support arm. A first article is transported via a conveyor until it reaches the outfeed rail assembly. The first article moves along the roller until its momentum is stopped by the pivoting abutment. The first article rests at a stopped position until it is displaced from the stopped position by another article sent down the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cinram International Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery Kelsch
  • Publication number: 20080121498
    Abstract: An accumulation-and-release conveyor using a roller belt with rollers arranged to rotate in the direction of belt travel. The rollers extend through the thickness of the belt to support conveyed articles. The belt continuously advances along a conveyor carryway from an upstream end to a downstream end. A movable stop divides the carryway into an upstream article-accumulation zone and a downstream article-acceleration zone. In the accumulation zone, the rollers are freely rotatable; in the acceleration zone, the rollers roll on a bearing surface underlying the belt. The stop is selectively moved between a blocking position preventing articles from passing and accumulating them with low back line pressure on the freely rotatable rollers in the upstream accumulation zone and a release position allowing articles to pass to the accumulation zone where they are propelled forward and separated from each other by the rotation of the rollers rolling on the bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Costanzo, Joseph M. DePaso, Timothy C. UnKauf
  • Publication number: 20080099307
    Abstract: A device for grouping individually packaged goods which are fed in a substantially closed stream by the means of conveyance along a transport plane, and grouped by at least one divider finger which can be introduced from below transversely to the transport plane into the stream along the conveyance direction, where, for the at least one divider finger, a motor drive provided which is capable of carrying out in a free and adjustable manner a movement of the at least one divider finger transversely to the transport plane (z-direction) independently of the movement along the conveyance direction (y-direction) and vise versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Norbet Fleck, Bernhard Schmid
  • Patent number: 7364052
    Abstract: A unit for feeding cigarettes to a packer machine is equipped with a hopper containing a mass of cigarettes and a device serving to compensate the depletion of the mass as groups of cigarettes are removed from the hopper and directed into a plurality of boxes carried and transported by a conveyor. The compensating device is located internally of the hopper and comprises an articulated mechanism designed to create a movable wall, also a pair of lateral conveyors converging toward the articulated mechanism, its operation being coordinated with that of a further device by which the groups of cigarettes are removed from the hopper, in such a way as to vary the capacity of the hopper according to the volume of cigarettes removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: G.D S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Spatafora
  • Publication number: 20080073180
    Abstract: An abutment module, in particular for automatic processing and conveying systems, comprises an abutment member arranged on a main unit for objects moving in a plane of motion in a current working movement direction, such abutment member being able to be shifted by means of a setting member between an abutment position located in the plane of motion and a release position lying underneath the plane of motion, and a guide means is provided having at least one guide track, on which the abutment member is positively guided at a first point between the abutment position and the release position, the abutment member being so pivotally connected at a second point remote from the first point with a setting element that in the case of a lowering movement of the abutment member between the abutment position and the release position a pivoting of the abutment member takes place in the working movement direction the setting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Helmut Worner
    Inventor: Sebastian UNTERHUBER
  • Publication number: 20080073179
    Abstract: An abutment module, in particular for automatic processing and conveying systems, comprising an abutment member arranged on a main unit for objects moving in a plane of motion in a current working movement direction, such abutment member being able to be shifted by means of a setting member between an abutment position located in the plane of motion and a release position lying underneath the plane of motion, and the setting member has a drive element for producing a linear drive movement directed in parallelism to the plane of motion, which may be converted by way of conversion means into an upward and downward movement taking place between the abutment position and the release position of the abutment member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Helmut Worner
    Inventor: Sebastian UNTERHUBER
  • Patent number: 7270054
    Abstract: A package pacer is configured for use with an automatic strapping machine having a strap chute through which strap material is fed and from which strap material is tensioned onto a package. The strapping machine has an in-feed conveyor defining a plane and is configured to automatically move a package into a packaging region bounded by the chute. The pacer includes a frame that is mountable to the strapping machine. A plurality of rollers are mounted to the frame in a stationary plane about coplanar with the in-feed conveyor plane. The rollers extend forwardly of the strapping machine and permit conveyance of the package therealong and onto the in-feed conveyor. A pacing element is movable between a stop position in which the pacer element is out of the in-feed conveyor plane and interferes with movement of the package onto the in-feed conveyor and a feed position in which the pacing element resides about coplanar with the planar stationary rollers and the in-feed conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Bobren, Timothy B. Pearson, Lawrence G. Sickels
  • Patent number: 7219785
    Abstract: A work transfer apparatus configured to move a work to an operating position while transferring the work by a conveyor, perform predetermined processing at the operating position, and discharge a processed work, the work transfer apparatus comprising an ejector moving the work independently from the conveyor; and a stopper stopping the work at the operating position, wherein the work processed by the predetermined processing is discharged by the ejector, and a work to be moved to the operating position next by the conveyor is stopped at the operating position by the stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Saito, Akira Kimura
  • Patent number: 7185752
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuously grouping or marshalling objects together on a conveyor includes the conveyor being divided into a first and a second conveyor section, where the second conveyor section has a higher speed than the first conveyor section. The conveyor sections have a common plane on which the objects are advanced. The conveyor sections each have two bending rollers in the common plane, each of which have a bending roller lying closely adjacent one another. Between the rollers placed adjacent one another is disposed an arrest member. The arrest member is movable through 90 degrees in relation to the common plane. The arrest member is moreover, together with the bending rollers, displaceable along the common plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Jan Håkansson