Magnetic Patents (Class 198/690.1)
  • Patent number: 12043492
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor belt for transporting food products having a packaging composed of a magnetizable material, in particular cans, along a transport direction, wherein the conveyor belt comprises a belt body and a transport belt that runs around the belt body in the operation of the conveyor belt and that has an upper run and a lower run. The belt body is provided with a magnet arrangement that generates a magnetic field that acts in the direction of the upper run of the transport belt and that has a higher value at the belt entry side than at the belt exit side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Bizerba SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Haas, Philipp Troger, Saniya Pawar
  • Patent number: 11784074
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods relating to a transfer chamber for an electronic device processing system. The transfer chamber can include a first magnetic levitation track having a face-up orientation and a second magnetic levitation track spaced from the first magnetic levitation track and having a face-down orientation. The system can include substrate carriers that move along the first and second magnetic levitation tracks where each substrate carrier includes a magnet on a bottom portion to interact with a first magnetic field and a second magnet on a top portion to interact with a second magnetic field. The system also can include at least one lift pin assembly to move the substrate carriers in a vertical direction between the first and second magnetic levitation tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Berger, Jeffrey Hudgens, Eric Englhardt
  • Patent number: 11634287
    Abstract: Provided is a drive mechanism capable of withstanding sterilization treatment using a sterilization gas such as hydrogen peroxide and capable of performing positioning operation with heightened accuracy. In a drive mechanism according to the invention, a movable block disposed in the internal space of a partition wall for blocking a sterilization gas is coupled to a movable platform disposed in the external space of the partition wall by means of a magnet coupling mechanism. Further, biasing magnet units are disposed on surfaces, of the movable block and the movable platform, on which no magnet coupling mechanism is disposed, such that the biasing magnet units serve as magnetic poles repelling each other. Repelling force generated by the biasing magnet units serves as biasing force that biases the movable platform toward the partition wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: RORZE LIFESCIENCE INC.
    Inventor: Yukito Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 11585823
    Abstract: A system for transporting a sample in a clinical analysis system includes a sample container holding the sample, a ferromagnetic base connected to a bottom portion of the sample container, and a puck. The puck is used for transporting the sample container in the clinical analysis system. The puck comprises an embedded magnet for securing the sample container to the puck using the ferromagnetic base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Simin Yao
  • Patent number: 11508595
    Abstract: An apparatus for contactless transportation of a device in a vacuum processing system is described. The apparatus includes: a magnetic transportation arrangement for providing a magnetic levitation force (FL) for levitating the device, the magnetic transportation arrangement comprising one or more active magnetic units; a sensor for monitoring a motion of the device, and a controller configured for controlling the one or more active magnetic units based on a signal provided by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Henning Aust, Jörg Schuler
  • Patent number: 11492226
    Abstract: A method of transporting a plurality of sheet-like members containing a magnetic material includes a first step of placing one of the members on an endless belt, and a second step of releasing the member from a portion of the endless belt which is moved and folded back along a roller. The endless belt includes a first magnetic force generating portion that generates first magnetic force, and a second magnetic force generating portion that generates second magnetic force that is stronger than the first magnetic force. In the first step, the member is placed on the belt, such that a first portion of the member containing the magnetic material is located in the first magnetic force generating portion, and a second portion of the member containing the magnetic material and located rearward of the first portion in a conveying direction is located in the second magnetic force generating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuya Sukeda, Naoki Hirai, Akinori Tomioka
  • Patent number: 11365059
    Abstract: A support and guide structure for a closed-loop articulated link conveyor includes at least two guides, oriented according to respective development axis and defining respective sliding surfaces for the conveyor; and at least one support component having two surfaces opposite to each other, wherein the guides protrude from a first surface to define at least one sliding channel to house at least one portion of the articulated links of the conveyor. The support and guide structure includes at least one housing extending along a direction parallel to the development axis, and containing at least one respective reinforcing element to limit the deformation of the support component. Each reinforcing element has a cross-sectional shape compatible with the cross-sectional shape of the respective housing. Each reinforcing element is manufactured with a material having a hardness which is greater than the hardness of the materials of the guides and the support component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: MOVEX S.P.A.
    Inventors: Sergio Marsetti, Matteo Marsetti
  • Patent number: 11079401
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for an apparatus and method for indicating at least one property related to an object. Detection data and optionally input data are received for the at least one property related to the object and at least one light property that corresponds to the at least one property related the object based on the detection signal is determined using a processing unit. A light is then generated and projected to illuminate and/or surround at least a portion of the object, the light being based on the at least one light property to indicate the at least one property related to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: 9106634 CANADA LTD.
    Inventors: Stephen James Wright, Alexander Michael Bushell, Christopher Joseph Sanders, Pedro Goncalo Ferreira, Robert Maxwell Sheward, Erik Frederik Gerardus Lammers
  • Patent number: 10688547
    Abstract: A contactless braking system and a related method for decelerating long products (bi) exiting from a rolling mill (100). At least one braking module (6) includes a multiplicity of electromagnets (60) in a series along a braking line (1b). Each magnet has an open magnetic core (61) and a coil (62) around the magnetic core (61). The open magnetic core (61) has a gap formed by two opposed poles. The electromagnets (60) are configured so that the gap of each open magnetic core (61) lets contactlessly slide therethrough each long product (bi) exiting from the rolling mill (100). A braking magnetic force (Fd) is exerted on the long product (bi) contactlessly sliding through the gap. The braking magnetic force (Fd) is opposite to the direction of movement of the long product (bi) exiting the rolling mill (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES ITALY S.R.L.
    Inventor: Francesco Toschi
  • Patent number: 10494185
    Abstract: An adjustable magnetic grid assembly is provided in a conveyor system. The magnetic grid assembly eliminates wear and tear on metal pans placed on the grid and transported through the conveyor system. Locations of magnets in the magnetic grid assembly are adjustable to accommodate metal pans of different sizes and configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: AMF AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kristopher Jon Soderstrom, Chi Chung
  • Patent number: 10376899
    Abstract: A magnetic-matter removing apparatus includes: endless chains arranged to run in circles between inside liquid containing a magnetic matter and above the liquid; magnetic-matter attracting means supported on the endless chains for attracting the magnetic matter in the liquid with a magnetic force; a drum arranged above the liquid, having a magnetic force stronger than the magnetic force of the magnetic-matter attracting means, and configured to detach the magnetic matter attracted to the magnetic-matter attracting means from the magnetic-matter attracting means and attract the magnetic matter; and discharging means for scraping the magnetic matter attracted to the drum and discharging the magnetic matter to outside the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PRIMETALS TECHNOLOGIES JAPAN, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Horiguchi, Norihiko Ikenaga, Hirofumi Honda
  • Patent number: 10336133
    Abstract: A magnetic wheel includes: a balance block; a magnetic body which is provided in the balance block and attaches the balance block to an attachment object with a magnetic force; and a magnetic shielding block which is provided in the balance block and guides a magnetic field generated in the magnetic body toward the attachment object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TAS GLOBAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 10239675
    Abstract: An integrated product scoop or dispenser holder arrangement is disclosed and described in detail that includes: a) a container for retaining product, wherein the container comprises a body component having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top, a bottom, an opening in or near the top of the container and a lid, b) a product retained in the container, c) an integrated product scoop or dispenser holder that is physically integrated into the material used to form the container, is located as a part of the interior surface of the container, and is designed to hold or retain a scoop or dispenser, and d) a scoop or dispenser that releasably mates with the integrated product scoop or dispenser holder in order to form the integrated product scoop or dispenser holder arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: Won J Choi, Evgeny Trufkin
  • Patent number: 10147965
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a pressing jig of secondary battery cell, the pressing jig including: one pair of pressing plates hinge-coupled to be mutually foldable, and having space therebetween where the cell of the secondary battery may be disposed; and a locking mechanism configured to fixate a folded state of the one pair of pressing plates, wherein at least one of the one pair of pressing plates is made of a polyacetal (POM) material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Du-Seong Yoon, Ji-Hyun Kim, Jae-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10138065
    Abstract: A magnetic conveyor belt module integrates a magnetic element into the body of the module to attract conveyed articles to the body. The magnetic conveyor belt module includes a recess for seating a magnetic element and a retention element for retaining the magnetic element within the recess. A cover encapsulates the magnetic element within the body of the module. A non-magnetic conveyor belt module is connected to the magnetic conveyor belt module to form a conveyor belt. The non-magnetic conveyor belt module has an upper surface that is flush with or above the upper surface of the magnetic conveyor belt module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David W. Bogle, Richard A. Keb, Krissie K. Zambrano, Adam E. Bannerman
  • Patent number: 10118774
    Abstract: A transfer system according to an aspect of the invention includes a stator including a plurality of coils, a carriage capable of moving along the stator, a carriage drive magnet provided on the carriage and configured to drive the carriage by magnetic force generated by the plurality of coils, and a power receiver provided on the carriage and including a power receiving magnet configured to drive an actuator by magnetic force generated by the plurality of coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Tomoda, Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9908710
    Abstract: A magnetic conveyor belt module integrates a magnetic element into the body of the module to attract conveyed articles to the body. A magnet seat below the top surface of the body seats the magnetic element, so that the magnetic element is between the top surface and bottom surface of the module body. A retainer engages the magnet seat to retain the magnetic element in the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Krissie K. Zambrano, Adam E. Bannerman, John de St. Germain
  • Patent number: 9863970
    Abstract: A novel solution is proposed for processing a test tube transported on a test tube carrier by a conveyor so that spilling of the liquid in the test tube is reduced or even prevented, particularly an arrangement for sequencing and guiding travel of test tube carriers transported on at least one conveyor. The arrangement includes at least one rotatable deviator positioned to intersect the at least one conveyor. The deviator includes a horizontal deviator plate including at least one grip for receiving a test tube carrier. One contact surface is positioned vertically at a distance from the deviator plate and aligned with the grip. The contact surface is formed to contact the test tube carrier at a distance from the contact level of the grip and the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Oy
    Inventors: Juha Savonsalmi, Sami Paavilainen, Ville Mäkelä
  • Patent number: 9316659
    Abstract: A sample tube transport system that includes a track adapted to provide a path for one or more carriers between a plurality of modules. The system includes at least one upper conveyor system having an upper belt configured to wrap around a first upper pulley and a second upper pulley, and a plurality of upper magnets affixed to the upper belt to move the one or more carriers along the track adjacent the upper belt. The at least one lower conveyor system includes a lower belt spaced vertically below the upper belt and configured to wrap around the first lower pulley and the second lower pulley, and a plurality of lower magnets affixed to the lower belt. Each of the plurality of lower magnets are positioned to attract and move the one or more carriers along the track adjacent the lower belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolae Dumitrescu
  • Patent number: 9004266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic conveying device for transporting in particular panel-shaped objects (1). The device comprises a plurality of magnetic retaining elements (3) arranged successively in the conveying direction and has at least one conveyor belt (4) running past the magnetic retaining elements (3). The conveyor belt (4) is equipped with a plurality of teeth (6) arranged on the upper face thereof facing away from the objects (1) for engaging in associated drive elements for driving the conveyor belt (4). According to the invention, at least the upper face of the conveyor belt (4) has an anti-static coating covering the entire surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Neuhaeuser GmbH
    Inventor: Juergen Neuhaeuser
  • Patent number: 8999159
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing magnetic particles from a mud slurry is disclosed, and includes one or more endless belts or chains enclosed almost wholly within a pipe. A motor drives the chain around the pipe. When the pipe is located within a mud slurry, magnetic particles in the mud slurry are drawn to the pipe and carried along the outside and away from the slurry until a collar is reached. Once separated the particles can be collected for disposal. The chain comprises a series of units linked together. Each unit includes a magnet with pole pieces at either pole to direct magnetic flux. Wear discs prevent the magnets and pole pieces from abrasion as they are drawn through the pipe. Units can be included in the chain which units do not include a magnet, thereby providing a break in the field, allowing particles to fall away from the collar region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Romar International Limited
    Inventor: Martin Stewart McKenzie
  • Patent number: 8944241
    Abstract: A conveyor chain that enables magnet pieces for attracting and retaining articles conveyed on the chain. The magnet pieces are incorporated into synthetic resin link modules without changing a predetermined chain width and dimensioning of other device components. A large number of link rows consisting of a number of synthetic resin link modules are connected together so as to have a predetermined chain width W. At least some of the synthetic resin link modules have magnet storing blind holes which open in the chain width direction from link side surfaces such that a magnet piece can be insertably stored in the magnet storing blind hole and securely enclosed by the link side surface of an adjacent synthetic resin link module in the chain width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventors: Hajime Ozaki, Keiko Ota
  • Patent number: 8776994
    Abstract: For a chain conveyor system having a main conveyor having links with an inclined or a slippery wet conveying run extending from a feed end to a discharge end capable of securely attracting and retaining metallic magnetic articles on the run by article-attracting magnet pieces in selected links for attracting and retaining the articles on the run. An auxiliary conveyor for enabling separation of the articles from the conveyor at the discharge end of the run by releasing attraction of the articles. The auxiliary conveyor has links which register with the main conveyor links at the discharge end of the main conveyor system. The registering links of the auxiliary conveyor have article-separating elements operable to reduce the magnetic force of the magnet pieces at the discharge end of the run to enable separation of the conveyed articles from the main conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Hajime Ozaki
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8616366
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a food and drink conveying device that can allow a travel body to travel stably over a travel path. A food and drink conveying device (1) can allow a travel body (7) to travel over a travel path (1a) using a magnetic force between a first magnetic body (18) and a second magnetic body (19) by driving a conveyor driving body (15) and is provided with a lift preventing means (34) in close proximity to the second magnetic body (19), where the lift preventing means (34) makes contact with the travel path (1a) so as to prevent the second magnetic body (19) from lifting due to the magnetic force between the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body (19) and moves together with the conveyor driving body (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Ishino Seisakusyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki Ishino, Shintaro Sasahara
  • Publication number: 20130319326
    Abstract: An electromagnetic device (1) for stabilizing and minimizing the deformation of a strip (4) made of ferromagnetic material during its feeding in a system for coating the same strip with molten metal, by applying a distribution of force which is continuous in the direction transversal to the strip regardless of the width thereof. The device comprises first electromagnets and second electromagnets mirroring the first electromagnets with respect to said theoretical pass-line (50) of said strip (4). Each electromagnet includes a core comprising one pole and one feeding coil wound about the pole. The electromagnetic device comprises a connection element (26) made of ferromagnetic material which connects the cores of the first electromagnets (15, 15?, 15?, 15??) and a connection element (26?) made of ferromagnetic material which connects the cores of the second electromagnets (16, 16?, 16?, 16?). The connection elements (26, 26?) mirror the theoretical pass-line (50) of the strip (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Fabio Guastini, Michele Minen
  • Patent number: 8550235
    Abstract: A fastening assembly for attaching a ferrous metal baking pan to a baking rack, the baking rack having a plurality of bars, the fastening assembly including an “E” plate having a stem and a plurality of arms, a pair of bar receiving channels, the channels consisting of the arms' interstices; at least a first permanent magnet; and a concavity and seal combination interconnecting the at least first permanent magnet and a medial arm among the “E” plate's plurality of arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Bunting Magnetics Co.
    Inventor: Donald A. Suderman
  • Publication number: 20130126310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic conveying device for transporting in particular panel-shaped objects (1). The device comprises a plurality of magnetic retaining elements (3) arranged successively in the conveying direction and has at least one conveyor belt (4) running past the magnetic retaining elements (3). The conveyor belt (4) is equipped with a plurality of teeth (6) arranged on the upper face thereof facing away from the objects (1) for engaging in associated drive elements for driving the conveyor belt (4). According to the invention, at least the upper face of the conveyor belt (4) has an anti-static coating covering the entire surface area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Juergen Neuhaeuser
  • Patent number: 8434613
    Abstract: The invention provides a chain conveyor system capable of avoiding damages and vibration noise by securely attracting and retaining metallic magnetic articles in inclined conveyor lines or slippery wet conveyor lines and of providing ready transfer or relay of the articles to other conveyors or equipment also in a conveyor terminal carry-out area. The chain conveyor system comprises a conveyor chain having article-attracting magnet pieces for attracting and retaining articles on loading surfaces thereof and an article-separating device that is disposed coaxially with a sprocket wrapped by and engaging with the conveyor chain and has article-separating magnet pieces that cut the attraction of the article-attracting magnet pieces with the articles on an outer circumferential parts of a free roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    Inventor: Hajime Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20120312660
    Abstract: A production system with an apparatus serving as feeding conveyor is disclosed. The apparatus is designed to convey sheet-like goods, i.e. sheet-like intermediate layers, to be positioned underneath or between primarily flat food products, the apparatus comprising a counter-bearing arranged to directionally guide the goods to be conveyed. Moreover, at least one movable driving belt is arranged in the direction of transportation (T) parallel to the counter-bearing to carry on the goods to be conveyed. The driving belt presses the goods placed therebetween against the counter-bearing so that the conveyed goods are chucked between the counter-bearing and the driving belt. The counter-bearing is either magnetic or magnetizable, and the movable driving belt includes magnetizable elements so as to increase the frictional engagement between the driving belt and the goods to be conveyed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Andreas Harder, Markus Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 8322509
    Abstract: A solar cell module conveyer comprising an assembly line for intermittently feeding solar cells that constitute a solar cell module, and having machinery arranged for successively executing the working/treating steps; belt conveyers working as an inspection line which is synchronized with the assembly line to inspect the solar cell module fabricated on the assembly line through various working/treatment steps; and a transfer mechanism for transferring the solar cell module from the assembly line onto the belt conveyers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Tohoku Seiki Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayoshi Yokoo, Koichi Yoshida, Norikazu Kainuma, Akio Murakami
  • Publication number: 20120241291
    Abstract: The invention provides a chain conveyor system capable of avoiding damages and vibration noise by securely attracting and retaining metallic magnetic articles in inclined conveyor lines or slippery wet conveyor lines and of providing ready transfer or relay of the articles to other conveyors or equipment also in a conveyor terminal carry-out area. The chain conveyor system comprises a conveyor chain having article-attracting magnet pieces for attracting and retaining articles on loading surfaces thereof and an article-separating means that is disposed coaxially with a sprocket wrapped by and engaging with the conveyor chain and has article-separating magnet pieces that cut the attraction of the article-attracting magnet pieces with the articles on an outer circumferential parts of a free roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Hajime Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8181767
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an inverting device which takes one or more articles from a first device, inverts the article(s), and discharges the article(s) onto a second device that may be at essentially the same relative height as the first device. The inverting device has a rotating device with two opposed surfaces that are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the height of the article. Once the article(s) has been moved into position in the rotating device, the rotating device rotates 180 degrees about a transverse axis, resulting in the inversion of the article. The new orientation of the article may facilitate further processing in a manufacturing environment, such as cleaning, filling, labeling, stacking or any other activity that relies on a specific product disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Weldon Machine Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Gales, Mark Alan Killian
  • Publication number: 20120073938
    Abstract: A conveyor chain that enables magnet pieces for attracting and retaining articles conveyed on the chain. The magnet pieces are incorporated into synthetic resin link modules without changing a predetermined chain width and dimensioning of other device components. A large number of link rows consisting of a number of synthetic resin link modules are connected together so as to have a predetermined chain width W. At least some of the synthetic resin link modules have magnet storing blind holes which open in the chain width direction from link side surfaces such that a magnet piece can be insertably stored in the magnet storing blind hole and securely enclosed by the link side surface of an adjacent synthetic resin link module in the chain width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
    Inventors: Hajime OZAKI, Keiko OTA
  • Patent number: 7997415
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for coating, singulating, aligning, ablating, and indexing a number of seeds for testing is described. The apparatus has a carrier designed to hold seeds in a predetermined alignment for ablating a seed sample from a seed portion, the seed portions are indexed to the seed samples. The carrier is then located on the apparatus which delivers the seed samples from the carrier to a collector for laboratory testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua L. Mongan, Jason Cope, Gary A. Sandahl
  • Patent number: 7975362
    Abstract: The invention relates to a processing device for covers (20), wherein processing stations are embodied as individual processing stations (47) provided with, respectively, one tool for one cover. Several of said stations work in parallel for the simultaneous processing of several covers. If need be, stations can also be used wherein several tools form groups which are functionally separate from each other. As a result, the processing precision and production speed of the objects can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Soundronic AG
    Inventors: Peter Gysi, Marcel Oberholzer
  • Patent number: 7905343
    Abstract: A self-propelled crushing machine is provided which ensures that, even when crushed pieces of an object include a concrete reinforcing steel bar or other like material piece, it is prevented that the concrete reinforcing steel bar will pierce into a conveyor belt. To this end, the crushing machine has a memory for storing a relationship in belt velocities between a conveyor belt and a magnetic separator belt which relationship allows a concrete reinforcing steel bar attracted and adhered to the magnetic separator belt to be taken off of the conveyor belt before the trailing end of the concrete reinforcing steel bar travels past a leading end attraction/adhesion position at which the leading end of the concrete reinforcing steel bar is to be attracted and adhered to the magnetic separator belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Nakayama, Gousuke Nakashima
  • Patent number: 7832548
    Abstract: An idle station transport mechanism for a press, including a first plurality of magnetizable transport rails; a second plurality of magnetizable transport rails axially displaceable with respect to the first plurality of transport rails; and a plurality of transfer bars magnetizable to engage the material. The first and second pluralities of rails form a transport path along which material to be manipulated by the press is arranged to be transported and the transfer bars are displaceable to move the material axially along the transport path. In some aspects, the second plurality of transport rails is automatically displaceable while in the press, the plurality of transfer bars is arranged to magnetically engage a bottom side of the material, or the first and second pluralities of transport rails and the plurality of transfer bars are electro-magnetic. Also, a method of transporting material to a press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Luk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Rolf A. Mueller, Douglas Jackson, Destery L. Pumphrey
  • Patent number: 7762386
    Abstract: A magnet assembly for a conveyor system transporting a ferromagnetic container includes a housing having a unitary configuration. The housing defines a pocket, and a magnetic circuit is disposed in the pocket. The magnetic circuit produces a magnetic field having a magnetic flux. The magnetic circuit attracts the ferromagnetic container being transported by the conveyor system. In addition, a method of forming the magnet assembly to radiate the magnetic field includes providing the unitary housing having an opening and inserting the magnetic circuit into the unitary housing. The method further includes encapsulating the magnetic circuit in the unitary housing to form the magnet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Magnetics Incorporated
    Inventor: Daniel Allore
  • Patent number: 7735626
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic positioning and/or orientation of an object. The method includes applying a substance or component to an object, or takes advantage of a substance or component already on or associated with an object. The substance or component has a characteristic that can be utilized to automatically attract the substance or component. That characteristic is used to position, move, and/or orient the object automatically, without requiring manual handling. The object can then be further processed or handled. In one embodiment, the substance or component is a magnetically active substance or component. The attraction can be actuated by a magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Cope, David Kurth
  • Patent number: 7721873
    Abstract: The present invention discloses chain links for the circulating transport chain of a machine tool, which comprise: a pair of rollers which determine the direction of circulation of the chain link by way of the direction in which they roll, over the rollers which is or are placed at a distance from the pair of rollers in the direction of circulation of the chain link and draw a plane as they roll against the roller pair; and a transverse guide, guiding the chain link transverse to its direction of circulation and is either free from rollers transverse to the direction of circulation of the chain link between the pair of rollers or has a transverse guide roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Homag Holzbearbeitungssysteme AG
    Inventors: Achim Gauss, Peter Rathgeber
  • Publication number: 20100095820
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for picking up, displacing and placing a strip or band of flexible material, particularly unvulcanised rubber, more particularly unvulcanised rubber provided with reinforcement cords, comprising: a frame, a conveyor belt which runs over at least a first and a second roller, and a retaining unit provided with retaining means for retaining the strip or band onto the conveyor belt, wherein the frame is provided with the first roller, the retaining unit is displaceably mounted on the frame and provided with the second roller, and the device is furthermore provided with tensioning means for keeping the conveyor belt tensioned during the displacement of the retaining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Heinz GUTKNECHT
  • Patent number: 7694804
    Abstract: There is described a revolving device for a conveyor chain or a conveyor belt, wherein at least one magnet exerts an attracting or a repelling force on the conveyor chain and/or the conveyor belt in order, in particular, to reduce wear and tear during high speeds and to cushion vibrations. The magnetic flux is thereby concentrated in such a way by a first flux guide piece that the magnetic flux acts vertically upon an effective surface of a component of the conveyor chain and/or the conveyor belt. In interaction with a second flux guide piece, the return of the magnetic reflux is achieved by of an additional component of the conveyor chain and/or conveyor belt. Thus the magnetic reflux does not occur by way of the first named component, and consequently an optimized exertion of force on the conveyor chain and/or conveyor belt results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Dietmar Stoiber
  • Patent number: 7597188
    Abstract: A module for chains or belts that is molded from a plastic compound containing a magnetizable element. The molding may be performed in a standard injection molding machine equipped with a device that produces an electromagnetic or permanent magnetic field. The field lines are directed in such a way as to penetrate the mold cavities and the molded part in the desired axis, in order to electrically charge the magnetizable particles and orient them to form a permanently magnetized plastic body. After discharge of the mold, the plastic part has magnetic properties with opposite charges at opposite poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Habasit AG
    Inventor: Giovanni Volpi
  • Patent number: 7594654
    Abstract: A sheet conveyor includes a conveyor belt that conveys a sheet material while holding the sheet material by attraction with an electric force, and a platen that slidably supports a bottom surface of the conveyor belt so as to maintain flatness of a predetermined region of the conveyor belt. In response to the electric force, an attractive force for attracting the conveyor belt to the platen is generated. The platen is shaped such that a surface of the platen that is in contact with the conveyor belt has a width that increases gradually from an upstream side of the platen towards a downstream side thereof in a conveying direction of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7581636
    Abstract: An automated feeder transports pastry product dishes and/or moulds and includes a movable headstock arranged transversely above a first conveyor. The headstock includes an upper plate, a main linear actuator attached thereto, a lower mobile plate extendable by the main linear actuator, and a plurality of magnetic elements attached to the lower mobile plate. The magnetic elements hold a plurality of metallic plates in a predetermined arrangement. The headstock also includes at least two secondary vertical linear actuators disposed on the upper plate for actuating a releasing mechanism to dislodge the dishes from the magnetic elements and a transportation mechanism to provide longitudinal movement along a pair of longitudinal rails. The transportation mechanism permits the headstock to move between a first position over the first conveyor to a second position over a second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V.
    Inventor: Juan Martin Bribiescas Martinez
  • Patent number: 7533769
    Abstract: A system and method is described for treating workpieces, in particular vehicle wheels, especially in the context of a powder coating process, with a conveying device that guides the workpieces along a movement path through the arrangement. The conveying device comprises a conveyor. The workpieces can be arranged on spindle-shaped elements that are secured to the conveyor and that are rotatable about their own axis. The conveyor device comprises at least one means for generating a spatially and/or temporally altering magnetic field, which produces a force to rotate or stop the spindle-shaped elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Hansa Metallwerke AG
    Inventors: Stefan Nothum, Klaus Schoenhardt
  • Publication number: 20080173520
    Abstract: An idle station transport mechanism for a press, including a first plurality of magnetizable transport rails; a second plurality of magnetizable transport rails axially displaceable with respect to the first plurality of transport rails; and a plurality of transfer bars magnetizable to engage the material. The first and second pluralities of rails form a transport path along which material to be manipulated by the press is arranged to be transported and the transfer bars are displaceable to move the material axially along the transport path. In some aspects, the second plurality of transport rails is automatically displaceable while in the press, the plurality of transfer bars is arranged to magnetically engage a bottom side of the material, or the first and second pluralities of transport rails and the plurality of transfer bars are electro-magnetic. Also, a method of transporting material to a press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamelln und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Rolf A. Mueller, Douglas Jackson, Destery L. Pumphrey
  • Patent number: 7347317
    Abstract: Methods and devices for measuring elongation, wear, and internal temperature of a conveyor belt to catch signs of conveyor belt failure such as breakage by detecting a magnetic field from a magnetic body by using a magnesium sensor, as well as a rubber magnet sheet as a magnetic body and a method of producing the sheet, the rubber magnet sheet being able to be used while it is embedded in the conveyor belt. To measure elongation of a running conveyor belt (11), a magnetic field of a magnetic body (2) embedded in the belt (11) is detected by a magnetism sensor (3) fixed to the earth, and elongation of the belt (11) is calculated from temporal variation of the detected magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Bridgestone Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Aizawa, Takahisa Shizuku, Masami Kikuchi, Kenichi Higashi
  • Patent number: 7311846
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating ferrous metal particles from non-ferrous metal particles suspended in a liquid, such as a coolant from a machining operation, in which mixed particle containing liquid is discharged across a horizontal, non-magnetic separating surface; the magnetic ferrous metal particles are captured by a magnetic force exerted by an array of parallel magnets disposed underneath the separating surface, the non-magnetic non-ferrous metal particles are washed by the liquid into a collecting flume from where they can be passed to a filtering station for removal from the liquid, and the captured ferrous metal particles are scraped from the separating surface and conveyed to a ferrous metal discharge by a scraper conveyor which moves transversely to the discharge direction of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Comer, Mark Schroder