Load-supporting Rolls Moved About Endless Path Patents (Class 198/779)
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Patent number: 8915353Abstract: A conveyor system having a roller-engagement mechanism and a method for conveying articles. The conveyor system includes an infeed conveyor feeding articles to a conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel. The conveyor belt comprises obliquely rotatable rollers—single rollers or stacked sets of rollers—selectively activated by the roller-engagement mechanism. The roller-engagement mechanism has a rack supporting a plurality of flat belts. The flat belts advance in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The rack is movable between a first position in which the flat belts advancing with the conveyor belt contact the belt rollers to inhibit their rotation and carry articles atop the belt in the direction of belt travel and a second position in which the flat belts are out of contact with the belt rollers.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2012Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 8899407Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a bundle orienting device in-line with a conveyor configured for transporting bundles in a conveying direction. The bundle orienting device can include a plurality of selectively actuatable orientation elements that, collectively, laterally and/or angularly displace a bundle as it travels in the conveying direction through the bundle orienting device. In addition, the present disclosure relates to a method for rotating bundles traveling in a conveying direction along a conveyor system. The method includes conveying a bundle along a conveyor to pass through a bundle orienting device, thus described.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: J&L Group International, LLCInventor: Michael Harrington
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Publication number: 20140346014Abstract: A modular roller belt (100,200) for transporting articles is proposed. The belt comprises a plurality of modules (105) for transporting the articles, and a plurality of hinge pins (110), each for hinging adjacent modules of the belt about a corresponding geometric axis (GAX). Each module comprises at least one roller (115a,115b,115c,115d) and at least one mounting pin (1201,1202) for mounting the at least one idle roller to the respective module; the at least one roller is freely rotatable about a respective rotation axis (RAX1, RAX2) defined by the corresponding mounting pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Andrea Andreoli, Daniele Coen
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Patent number: 8881890Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt and rollers for the belt. The roller-top belt has axles that are fixed relative to the module body. Each of the pieces of the multi-piece rollers can be installed radially onto an axle and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle. Parallel ridges extending across the width of the modules add stiffness to the belt.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Gilbert J. MacLachlan, David C. Weiser, Abraham L. Miller, Errol P. Knott, Timothy J. DeRoche, Jude G. Martin
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Patent number: 8807740Abstract: A conveying device includes: first rollers; second rollers; and a roller holder. Each first roller is movable along a conveying direction of a sheet between a first position and a second position. The roller holder includes: a roller accommodating portion; an abutment member; and a slide portion. The abutment member is movable along the conveying direction between a third position and a fourth position. The abutment member moves each first roller from the first position to the second position while moving from the third position to the fourth position, and moves each first roller from the second position to the first position while moving from the fourth position to the third position. The slide portion is movable along an arrayed direction of the first rollers between a fifth position and a sixth position.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Shota Iijima
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Patent number: 8783449Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor chain (100) in which a large number of chain links (110) on which components are loaded are linked at hinge sections by means of hinge pins (120) and in which a plurality of free rollers are provided protruding from both the front and rear surfaces of the chain links (110), wherein the plurality of free rollers are each rotationally held in roller holders to form roller units (130) and are formed so as to be attachable from the longitudinal direction in a unit attachment region of the chain links (110). By means of the aforementioned structure, it is possible to replace worn components by means of a simple operation and it is unnecessary to replace chain links (110) which have not become worn, costs are reduced, and it is simple to change the rotation direction of the free rollers.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Tsubakimoto Chain Co.Inventor: Yoshihiro Murakami
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Publication number: 20140166443Abstract: A chain conveyor includes a chain constituted of a plurality of links foldably coupled by pins. The links include roller-equipped links each having a roller. The chain conveyor includes a pushing-up mechanism for pushing up each roller to a protruding position. At the protruding position, each roller protrudes upward above a loading surface of the chain, on which articles are loaded. Accumulated articles are supported by the rollers arranged at the protruding position so that the articles are separate from and above the loading surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.Inventor: Keiko SHINOBU
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Patent number: 8752688Abstract: The invention relates to a device for handling notes of value, comprising at least one shaft (12) on which at least one transport element (16) for transporting the notes of value is arranged. The transport element (16) comprises a first segment (32a) and a second segment (32b) separated from the first segment (32a) in an unmounted state. In a mounted state the first segment (32a) and the second segment (32b) are firmly connected to each other and enclose the shaft (12).Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2010Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbHInventor: Christian Fehrenbach
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Publication number: 20140159326Abstract: A multipurpose loading and unloading and/or material handling and moving apparatus including a closed chain continuous roller grid disposed on and around a continuous elongate table, the roller grid comprising a plurality of parallel axles pivotally coupled at their ends by parallel first and second sets of independent mechanical links.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventor: Gary D. Copus
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Patent number: 8746442Abstract: A conveyor belt and a belt module having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a bottom roller in contact with an axially elongated two-material top roller. The periphery of the top roller has a high-friction peripheral surface separated by a central durable, low-friction peripheral surface in contact with the bottom roller. Driving the bottom roller in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller in an opposite angular direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Jeffrey S. Schwai
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Publication number: 20140144754Abstract: Snap-on rollers for a conveyor belt. The snap-on roller may be snapped onto an axle or into a cavity of a conveyor belt module. Multi-piece snap-on rollers can be installed radially onto an axle on a conveyor belt and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2014Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Abraham L. Miller, Gilbert J. MacLachlan, David C. Weiser
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Patent number: 8720668Abstract: A conveyor comprising a conveyor belt having rollers with metallic or magnetic rotors. A magnet or metallic element next to the conveyor belt is positioned to rotate the rotor. A magnetic field produced by the magnet or by the magnetic rotor rotates the rollers as they pass the magnetic field or as the magnetic field is changed.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Bryant G. Ragan, Brien G. Rau, Jason Lagneaux, Wayne A. Pertuit, Jr.
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Publication number: 20140116853Abstract: A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. The conveying assembly includes a first roller belt module having a top surface and at least one first roller axle support extending above the top surface. The first axle support supports at least one roller above the top surface. The at least one roller is rotatably coupled to a rotatably driven drive axle, such that rotation of the drive axle causes rotation of the roller. A clutch including a driven surface fixed to the drive axle engages a driving member to rotatably drive the drive axle and, thus the roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Eric Medin Chinnock, Justin Michael Stefano, Tad Chandler Rinehart, Joseph Robert Labermeier
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Patent number: 8701871Abstract: A belt conveyor having snagless retractable flights. The flights rotate from a retracted position generally parallel to a top conveying surface on the conveyor belt to an extended position standing up and away from the top surface. In one version of the flight, a distal edge of the flight is bent downward into a cavity in the top surface of the belt when the flight is retracted. In another version, rollers at the distal end of the flight extend upstream of the distal edge of the flight. The flight rollers are rotated when the flight is retraced to lift and propel conveyed articles over the edges of the flight. Thus, both flights avoid snagging articles with discontinuous bottoms.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Publication number: 20140090961Abstract: A conveyor belt and a belt module having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a bottom roller in contact with an axially elongated top roller. Driving the bottom roller in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller in an opposite angular direction. The bottom rollers in first longitudinal lanes are arranged to rotate obliquely toward one side of the belt, and the bottom rollers in second lanes are arranged to rotate toward the other side of the belt. Either the first lanes of roller sets or the second lanes can be selectively actuated to direct articles conveyed atop the top rollers rearward and toward one side of the belt or the other or to receive articles fed onto the belt from either side.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Mark Costanzo, Dennis K. Scates, David H. Myers, Glenn R. McCall, Jr., Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 8678180Abstract: A modular conveyor belt having extended raised ribs that overlap to prevent the top conveying surface of the belt from opening up as the belt articulates forward around a sprocket at a hinge joint. Protrusions extend from the raised ribs past the ends of the belt modules. When rows of belt modules are connected together at hinge joints, the interleaved protrusions overlap laterally over a range of articulation angles. The modules may include cavities for roller assemblies, such as engaged stacked rollers in which a bottom roller is allowed to float vertically to maintain good contact with the top roller as they wear.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Angela Longo Marshall, Stephen T. Ferrell
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Patent number: 8678179Abstract: A multi link conveyor belt for the transportation of objects like containers, bottles, packs or the like, which is formed of a plurality of pivotally interconnected links. On the upper side of the conveyor belt at least one row of supporting rollers is mounted rotatable, whose axes of rotation are parallel to the joint bolts and to the longitudinal sides of the carriers of the links. Together with the supporting rollers of adjacent links a support plane for the transported objects is formed. In the region of at least one longitudinal side of the links deflection elements are provided, which project between the height levels of the supporting rollers and the upper side of the carriers and at least one side of the supporting rollers.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Krones AGInventor: Roland Kaes
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Publication number: 20140069776Abstract: A conveyor system having a roller-engagement mechanism and a method for conveying articles. The conveyor system includes an infeed conveyor feeding articles to a conveyor belt advancing in a direction of belt travel. The conveyor belt comprises obliquely rotatable rollers—single rollers or stacked sets of rollers—selectively activated by the roller-engagement mechanism. The roller-engagement mechanism has a rack supporting a plurality of flat belts. The flat belts advance in the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The rack is movable between a first position in which the flat belts advancing with the conveyor belt contact the belt rollers to inhibit their rotation and carry articles atop the belt in the direction of belt travel and a second position in which the flat belts are out of contact with the belt rollers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Publication number: 20140054137Abstract: A belt conveyor having upper article-supporting belt rollers that are rotated rearward by rotating lower belt rollers only when the articles are slowed or stopped from advancing with the belt. As the belt advances in a direction of travel, the lower rollers rotate by contact with a bearing surface underlying the belt. The upper rollers have axles whose ends are retained in slots that slope downward in the belt's direction of travel. The slots provide the upper rollers a range of positions between a forward position out of contact with the rotating lower roller and a rearward position contacting the lower roller, which rotates the upper roller rearward relieving back line pressure on accumulated articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 8646595Abstract: Snap-on rollers for a conveyor belt. The snap-on roller may be snapped onto an axle or into a cavity of a conveyor belt module. Multi-piece snap-on rollers can be installed radially onto an axle on a conveyor belt and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Abraham L. Miller, Gibert J. MacLachlan, David C. Weiser
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Patent number: 8622202Abstract: A conveyor having selectively actuated rollers whose only external contact is with conveyed articles and a method for rotating such rollers. In one version, the rollers are driven by motors that are selectively energized by a wireless signal or a sensed conveyor position. In another version, the rollers are geared to a drive wheel that engages a bearing surface underlying the conveyor along the conveying path. The rollers are selectively actuated to push conveyed articles along the conveyor as it advances.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Brien G. Rau, Jason M. Lagneaux
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Publication number: 20130313080Abstract: A conveyor comprising a conveyor belt having rollers with metallic or magnetic rotors. A magnet or metallic element next to the conveyor belt is positioned to rotate the rotor. A magnetic field produced by the magnet or by the magnetic rotor rotates the rollers as they pass the magnetic field or as the magnetic field is changed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Bryant G. Ragan, Brien G. Rau, Jason Lagneaux, Wayne A. Pertuit, JR.
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Patent number: 8544634Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Publication number: 20130240330Abstract: A conveyor belt and a belt module having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a bottom roller in contact with an axially elongated two-material top roller. The periphery of the top roller has a high-friction peripheral surface separated by a central durable, low-friction peripheral surface in contact with the bottom roller. Driving the bottom roller in a first direction causes rotation of the top roller in an opposite angular direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventor: Jeffrey S. Schwai
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Patent number: 8534172Abstract: Apparatus and method for translating articles. The apparatus has a rectangular work area defined by the upper run of a positioning conveyor having an oblique-roller conveyor belt selectively driven forward or reverse in coordination with the actuation and deactuation of the obliquely rotatable belt rollers. Tools, such as cutting tools or inspection stools, along the sides of the work area interact with the sides of the articles as they are translated without rotation in a rectangular path against guide surfaces on the periphery of the work area by the sequential reversing of the conveyor belt direction and the actuation and deactuation of the article-supporting rollers.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 8499926Abstract: Modular belt module of the type having a width, and a length, where the width and length defines a plane, and a thickness orthogonal to said plane, such that the basic module is limited by two longitudinal sides, and a front and rear side, where the module along front and rear sides is provided with eye parts, spaced by openings, such that an eye part on one edge fits inside an opening between two eye parts on an adjacent module, whereby apertures provided in the eye parts parallel to the front and rear sides overlap and may accommodate a hinge pin, characterized in that adjacent and parallel to the two longitudinal sides, upstanding flanges are provided, where each flange is provided with means for accommodating an axle, arranged parallel to the front and rear sides.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Ammeraal Beltech Modular A/SInventors: Dieter Steinsträter, Carsten Seib
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Patent number: 8474602Abstract: Multi-piece rollers for a conveyor belt. First and second roller sections fit together to form a complete roller. The two roller sections together define a bore for receiving an axle. The bore and the periphery of the roller are formed in part by each of the first and second roller sections. The roller is assembled by sliding the two sections together in a direction perpendicular to the axle with the bore closing around the axle. The roller sections have fingers that interdigitate with each other to prevent axial separation of the first and second roller sections. The interdigitated fingers surround a majority of the bore.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: LaitramInventors: Abraham L. Miller, Gibert J. MacLachlan
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Patent number: 8424675Abstract: A conveyor belt having multiple roller sets, each roller set including a first roller and a second roller, the first roller being movable into contact with the second roller so that driving of one of the rollers in a first angular direction causes rotation of the other roller in a second, opposite angular direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Brien G Rau
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Publication number: 20130087430Abstract: A system for handling various items with increased functionality and decreased mechanical complexity is disclosed. The system uses a plurality of rollers mounted between pairs of drive chains or belts to impart a driving force to the items to be moved. The drive chains or belts can be reversible to change the direction of travel. The angle of attack, ?, of the rollers can be adjusted between a negative angle and a positive angle by changing the phase between the drive chains or belts to change a component of the driving force. The rollers can be braked to increase a component of the driving force. The spin of the rollers can be changed with a roller belt to change another component of the driving force.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2011Publication date: April 11, 2013Applicant: Kirk-Rudy, Inc.Inventors: Harry V. KIRK, Bryan Carbon, Tommy W. Bhonn
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Patent number: 8365902Abstract: A conveyor having a conveyor belt with wall segments that pivot between a retracted position below the conveying surface of the belt and an extended position above the conveying surface. When extended, the wall segments form a wall along the length of a portion of the belt to prevent conveyed articles from moving laterally past. The retractable wall segments are cam- or spring-actuated. Diverting conveyors using the retractable wall segments in an oblique-roller conveyor belt are useful as sorters or switches.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Mark Costanzo, Eric M. Pressler
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Patent number: 8348048Abstract: A deflection mechanism (1) for a conveying system including a central member (5) with a rolling element (20) that revolves around the central member (5). The rolling element (2) has a plurality of guided rolls (3) which roll within a raceway (13) of the central member (5). The shape of the central member (5) is adjustable such that a deflection angle of the deflection mechanism (1) can be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AGInventors: Marco DeAngelis, Erwin Muller
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Publication number: 20120318644Abstract: Snap-on rollers for a conveyor belt. The snap-on roller may be snapped onto an axle or into a cavity of a conveyor belt module. Multi-piece snap-on rollers can be installed radially onto an axle on a conveyor belt and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventors: Gilbert J. MacLachlan, David C. Weiser, Abraham L. Miller
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Patent number: 8322518Abstract: Apparatus and method for recirculating articles on a belt conveyor. An article-recirculation path is formed in a pair of parallel conveyor belts running continuously in opposite directions. Article-supporting rollers in each belt rotate to transfer articles from one belt to the other in a transfer region at each end of the conveyor to form an endless recirculation path.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Jonathan Ball
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Publication number: 20120298485Abstract: Multi-piece rollers for a conveyor belt. Each of the pieces of the multi-piece rollers can be installed radially onto an axle on a conveyor belt and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventors: Abraham L. Miller, Gibert J. MacLachlan
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Publication number: 20120298487Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt and rollers for the belt. The roller-top belt has axles that are fixed relative to the module body. Each of the pieces of the multi-piece rollers can be installed radially onto an axle and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle. Parallel ridges extending across the width of the modules add stiffness to the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventors: Gilbert J. MacLachlan, David C. Weiser, Abraham L. Miller, Errol P. Knott, Timothy J. DeRoche, Jude G. Martin
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Publication number: 20120298486Abstract: A modular roller-top conveyor belt and multi-piece rollers for the belt. The roller-top belt has axles unitarily molded with the belt modules. Each of the pieces of the multi-piece rollers can be installed radially onto an axle and joined together in a puzzle pattern to form a complete roller that can rotate on the axle. Parallel ridges extending across the width of the modules add stiffness to the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventors: Gilbert J. MacLachlan, David C. Weiser
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Patent number: 8272503Abstract: A support device for the support of conveyed objects includes a roller body with a series of rollers, which run along a path and support the conveyed objects in a support region. The rollers roll in the support region on a support surface. Thereby, the following steps are carried out: relieving the rollers on entering into a part region of the support region; aligning the relieved rollers; renewed loading of the rollers on leaving the part region of the support device. For this, at least one recess of the support surface is present in the support region, wherein a roller which is located in the region of the recess, may be moved into the recess.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AGInventor: Martin Ruge
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Patent number: 8225922Abstract: A transverse-roller conveyor belt and a conveyor system providing a drive mechanism for driving the rollers in the belt to divert conveyed articles. The conveyor belt includes belt rollers that each engage a pair of smaller-diameter, article-conveying rollers. The conveyor system's drive mechanism, when selectively actuated, rotates the belt rollers, which rotate the article-supporting rollers to divert conveyed articles toward or off the side of the belt. Gaps between at least some of the pairs of article-supporting rollers admit the teeth of a transfer comb to strip remaining articles off the downstream end of the belt.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Publication number: 20120132501Abstract: A moving conveying device is provided which extends in a planar manner, such as a conveyor belt or a mat top conveyor, for conveying piece goods or bulk goods and which lies in a conveying apparatus. A rolling element including a plurality of rollers is arranged between the conveying device and a support element. The conveying device moves relative to the rolling element, wherein the rollers roll on the conveying means and on the support element, and the rollers are interconnected at a distance from each other by way of a flexible connecting element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2010Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AGInventor: Walter Reist
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Patent number: 8172069Abstract: A diverter conveyor system for a modular belt. The modular belt has at least two belt modules disposed in rows. At least two rows of spheres are disposed in the belt modules and extend through the top and bottom surfaces of the modules. The rows of spheres may be supported by a single cylindrical roller.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Habasit AGInventor: Ramaswamy Prakasam
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Patent number: 8167118Abstract: A conveyor, a conveyor belt used in the conveyor, and a belt module used to construct the conveyor belt, in which the module includes belt rollers that extend outward of a conveyor surface of the modules to support conveyed articles. The belt rollers are mounted in cavities in the modules that open onto the conveying surface and a recessed surface recessed inward of an outermost surface opposite the conveying surface through the thickness of the modules. Bearing surfaces, such as the peripheries of conveyor rollers underlying the conveyor belt along a carryway run, extend into the conveyor belt past the outer surface to contact the belt rollers. As the belt advances, the belt rollers rotate on the bearing surfaces to push conveyed articles along or across the belt.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 8167119Abstract: A low-pressure accumulation system and a conveyor belt in an accumulation conveyor for the use with the system. The belt, which is flanked on opposite sides by lines of gravity rollers, has a longitudinal lane of article-supporting belt rollers arranged in groups along the length of the conveyor belt. The groups are spaced apart from each at regular intervals. Trays sit atop the gravity rollers until they are lifted slightly higher by one of the slightly elevated groups of article-supporting belt rollers, which engage the bottom of the tray and convey it along toward a discharge end. Retractable stops selectively block the trays from advancing on the accumulation conveyor. The freely rotatable article-supporting belt rollers roll along the bottoms of any blocked and accumulated trays and provide low back pressure. The belt may also include low-friction rollers that ride on bearing surfaces below the belt to help lower friction between the belt and the conveyor structure while the belt is running.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Stephen G. Wargo, Robert M. Poma, Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 8162133Abstract: A support device for conveying heavy loads includes a support body and a roller body which revolves around the support body, wherein the roller body includes a series of support rollers and distancing rollers, the distancing rollers have a smaller diameter than the support rollers, and the distancing rollers in each case space consecutive support rollers from one another, and the support device is provided for supporting a load which moves along a support region, and the roller body at least in the support region is covered in its whole width by a belt, and thus in the support region, the support rollers roll on the support body and on the belt.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AGInventor: Martin Ruge
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Patent number: 8162134Abstract: A conveyor belt, in particular for a pasteurizer, with a conveyor surface and with support rollers, which are arranged beneath the conveyor surface and support it on a carrier. In order to improve the protection of the conveyor belt against glass breakage without having to significantly increase the drive power, that the conveyor surface is formed from metal.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Krones AGInventor: Hans-Joachim Krause
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Patent number: 8162132Abstract: A deflection apparatus for a conveying system has a central body with a roller body which circulates around the central body, wherein the roller body has a multiplicity of rollers which are guided with play and roll in a roller track of the central body wherein the deflection apparatus forms an independent structural unit which can be assembled, dismantled and transported as a unit, and thus can be installed as an independent structural unit in order to deflect a conveying means in a conveying system. The deflection apparatus is preferably configured in a lightweight design, having rollers made from plastic and the central body made from plastic or aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AGInventor: Erwin Muller
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Patent number: 8161854Abstract: Apparatus and method for cutting boxes. The box cutter has a rectangular work area defined by the upper run of an oblique-roller conveyor belt selectively driven forward or reverse in coordination with the actuation and deactuation of the obliquely rotatable belt rollers. Cutting tools along the sides of the work area cut into the side panels of the boxes as they are translated without rotation in a rectangular path against guide surfaces on the periphery of the work area by the sequential reversing of the conveyor belt direction and the actuation and deactuation of the box-supporting rollers.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 8151978Abstract: A modular conveying assembly for reducing backline pressure when accumulating products includes a first roller belt module having a top surface and at least one first roller axle support extending above the top surface. The first axle support includes an opening. A second roller belt module adjacent to the first roller belt module has a top surface and at least one second roller axle support extending above the top surface. The second axle support includes an opening coaxial with the opening formed in the first roller axle support. A roller axle extends through the openings of the first and second axle supports. At least one roller is rotatably supported by the roller axle to reduce friction between the roller belt modules and an object carried along the conveyer belt assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Rexnord Industries, LLCInventors: Dean A. Wieting, Kevin S. Hansen, James C. Stebnicki
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Publication number: 20120080290Abstract: A belt conveyor for diverting articles on actuated multi-directional wheels in a conveyor belt. The conveyor belt has article-supporting multi-directional wheels rotatably mounted in cavities in the belt. The wheels are arranged to rotate on axes oblique to the direction of belt travel. A bearing surface underlies the belt along a carryway. As the belt advances along the carryway, the rollers on the periphery of the wheel ride on the bearing surface and cause the wheel to rotate on its oblique axis. Articles conveyed on the belt atop the wheels are diverted by the rotating wheels toward a side of the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 5, 2012Applicant: LAITRAM, L.L.C.Inventor: Matthew L. Fourney
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Patent number: 8109384Abstract: A spacing conveyor having article-accelerating rollers and selectively retractable stops to control the gaps between consecutive conveyed packages. A sensor measures the length of a package being fed onto the spacing conveyor. A controller selectively actuates one or more actuators positioned along the length of the conveyor to move selected stops advancing with the conveyor from a retracted position to a blocking position to receive packages a variety of sizes and to control the gaps between consecutive packages.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventors: Eric M. Pressler, Mark Costanzo
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Patent number: 8079463Abstract: A conveying device (100) according to the invention includes several conveying bodies (102), which roll on a guidance (101) via several rolls (3), wherein the rolls (3) are connected and mutually distanced by means of a flexible connecting body (9) The conveying bodies (102) include means (103; 104, 105) for mutual support, which prevent a movement of the conveying bodies (102) out of the guidance (101). A connecting body (9) and allocated rolls (3) form a roll body (2), wherein the roll body (2), on average, includes two or less than two rolls (3) per conveying body (102). A roll body (2) for a conveying device (100) includes a plurality of rolls (3) mutually connected in a linear manner, wherein the rolls (3) are mutually connected and distanced by means of a flexible and in particular also elastic connecting body (9). In a preferred embodiment, the connecting body (9) may be bent in at least two directions.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AGInventors: Walter Reist, Erwin Muller