Nongripping Elements Are Adjustable Or Replaceable For Different Sized Loads Patents (Class 198/473.1)
  • Patent number: 6662933
    Abstract: A system for conveying objects (1), which comprises at least one endless transporter (2) able to route the objects (3) along a so-called transportation surface (S), the transporter (2) comprising a plurality of pushers (6) regularly spaced apart, fixed to a movable support (7) for the pushers (6), continuously travelling, in a single direction and periodically along a closed-loop path which extends substantially in a so-called conveying plane (P), perpendicular to the said transportation surface (S) the path being locally contiguous with the transportation surface (S), characterized in that each pusher (6) is mounted so as to be able to move between a so-called inactive position in which the pusher (6) is located at a distance from the transportation surface (S) and does not project therefrom, and a so-called active position in which it projects at least partially from the transportation surface (S) in order to come into engagement with an object (3) and push it along the said surface (S), so that it is possi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Aries Packaging
    Inventors: Pascal De Guglielmo, Alain Cartier, Didier Clerget
  • Publication number: 20030136641
    Abstract: A placing apparatus having first and second rear end holding members is provided between a loading apparatus that loads items in an upright position and a conveyance apparatus downstream. These rear end holding members move making a box motion when seen from the side. As a result, while the first rear end holding member holds the rearmost end of a group of items, the second rear end holding member stands by to receive a new item. The invention provides a conveyance apparatus and a boxing apparatus comprising the same that have widespread applicability. The conveyance apparatus and boxing apparatus, while achieving high-speed processing, are able to convey items of varying thickness and grouped in varying numbers in a stable manner and maintained in a prescribed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Applicant: ISHIDA, Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Seisaku Iwasa, Yoshinori Oishi
  • Patent number: 6591886
    Abstract: A quick-change roll-fed labeling machine employs a unique container flow path, resulting in higher labeling speed and precision label placement. The labeling machine comprises a conveyor for moving articles to be labeled, and an infeed screw assembly for spacing and stabilizing the articles. Additional system elements include a rotatable starwheel assembly having a plurality of spaced pockets for receiving individual ones of the articles therein, a rotatable vacuum drum assembly, and a supply of roll fed labels, wherein the labels are dispensed singly onto a label receiving face of the rotatable vacuum drum assembly. A glue wheel assembly is disposed adjacent to the vacuum drum assembly for applying glue to the labels. Advantageously, the glue wheel assembly comprises an air cylinder drive for driving the glue wheel disposed between a pair of bushings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Impaxx Machine Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard R. Gonzalo
  • Patent number: 6557695
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting non-round containers includes a pair of carriages coupled to associated motors for rotation independently of each other on a common axis. Each carriage carries a corresponding plurality of semi-circular gripping fingers, which may be moved toward and away from each other by controlled rotation of the carriages. The fingers are widely separated from each other to accept non-round containers at an in-feed station, and to permit removal of the containers at out-feed and reject stations. For transporting the containers between stations, the finger are brought closely together to grip the containers for indexing, and springs on one of the carriages resiliently urge the associated fingers toward the fingers on the opposing carriage for accommodating size variations among the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen M. Gerber, George A. Nickey, Noel D. Wendt
  • Publication number: 20030057058
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus of the present invention holds and conveys a group of items, and includes conveyors and driving devices. The conveyors include first and second conveyance belts, items-group holders, and detaching/attaching devices. The first and second conveyance belts operate around a circulating path. The detaching/attaching devices support the items-group holders, which include a plurality of partition members that partitions and holds the group of items. The plurality of partition members is connected to one another. The detaching/attaching devices render the items-group holders detachable from and attachable to the first and second conveyor belts. In this manner, replacement of the plurality of partition members can be performed easily and quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: ISHIDA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seisaku Iwasa
  • Publication number: 20030034227
    Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting non-round containers includes a pair of carriages coupled to associated motors for rotation independently of each other on a common axis. Each carriage carries a corresponding plurality of semi-circular gripping fingers, which may be moved toward and away from each other by controlled rotation of the carriages. The fingers are widely separated from each other to accept non-round containers at an in-feed station, and to permit removal of the containers at out-feed and reject stations. For transporting the containers between stations, the finger are brought closely together to grip the containers for indexing, and springs on one of the carriages resiliently urge the associated fingers toward the fingers on the opposing carriage for accommodating size variations among the containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen M. Gerber, George A. Nickey, Noel D. Wendt
  • Patent number: 6374997
    Abstract: A conveyor system has a bucket with a pivoting side wall. The pivoting movement of the leading side wall is actuated by a cam follower which engage; a cam rail. As the bucket passes through a carton loading station, the cam rail moves the cam follower to adjust the rotational position of the side wall. This pivoting movement will push back the leading side flap of a carton, thus making the loading of the carton easier. For different sized cartons, the transverse position of the cam rail can be adjusted thus altering the relevant rotational movement of the pivoting side wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Langen Packaging Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Spadafora, Tomasz Kardynal
  • Patent number: 6290054
    Abstract: A star feeder (4) is arranged between a first and a second conveying device (1, 2) for conveying objects in series and it serves for transferring the objects (G) from the first conveying device (1) to the second conveying device (2). In order to make the star feeder adaptable to a wide range of different types of objects, the compartments (5) are all simultaneously adjustable regarding their form and/or their radial depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: IPT Weinfelden AG
    Inventor: Robert Buechi
  • Patent number: 6279725
    Abstract: An adjustable rotor machine having a plurality of adjustable spoke assemblies radially spaced apart for holding bottles or other objects therebetween as the machine is rotated in a circular path, wherein the separation distance of the spoke assemblies can be varied to hold objects therebetween of different diameters. One spoke of each spoke assembly is rigidly affixed to the axle of the rotor. A second spoke of each spoke assembly is arcuately movable relative to the fixed spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: McBrady Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett McBrady, Julian Avelis
  • Patent number: 6276681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for replacing elements of a product delivery fan wheel which is rotatably mounted. The fan wheel has a plurality of fan blades which include attaching devices for replaceably mounting fan blade tips on the fan blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignees: Heidelberg Harris Inc., Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Louis John Doucet