Upper And Lower Runs Of Same Belt Travel Vertically Aligned, Laterally Bending Paths Patents (Class 198/831)
  • Patent number: 12134536
    Abstract: A rotary frame construction for web transport control devices, includes a carrier frame and a rotary frame in parallel therewith and carrying input and output rollers for a web and pivotably mounted on the carrier frame about a rotation center defined by control surfaces of one frame, the control surfaces scanned by cam followers on the other frame, the frames held in parallel alignment by support rollers on one frame and run surfaces on the other frame, the frames pivotally connected with one another by a drive system, the control surfaces constituted by three control curves formed at outer edges of a cam plate rigidly held on one frame, two of the control curves located on one side of the cam plate and the third on the opposite side of the cam plate, and the other frame has three cam followers respectively associated with one of the control curves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: BST GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Prims, Robin Lorenz, Jörgen Schumacher
  • Patent number: 11267655
    Abstract: A dynamic noser assembly used with a conveyor having pegs is provided. The dynamic noser assembly has a noser with a noser inner side, a noser outer side, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a rear side and a front side. The dynamic noser further has a first hole with a first hole slot accessible via the noser inner side and a first hole notch, and a second hole with a second hole slot accessible via the rear side and a second hole notch. The noser is alignable with the pegs to lock the noser in place when the pegs are received within notches. The dynamic noser assembly further as a shaft removably connected to the noser, the shaft supporting at least one bearing. The noser front side has a channel formed therein for removably receiving the bearing shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: NERCON ENG. & MFG., INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Francis Rottier, Jeffrey Kent Falash, Michael Paul Weickert, Erik Kristian Schiebel
  • Patent number: 11072503
    Abstract: A discarding rail system for unloading waste material on a conveyor belt in continuous motion and method for using said system are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the system includes (1) an upper assembly for support the underside of a conveyor belt, (2) a actuation mechanism for inclining the upper assembly so that the conveyor belt is pivoted to one side, creating a gradient causing content on the conveyor belt to roll of the side of the conveyor belt, and (3) a set of retaining devices positioned on the side of the conveyor belt to hold conveyor belt in place as the conveyor belt is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Jason Heida
  • Patent number: 11021326
    Abstract: An apparatus (5) for conveying long pasta (2) between at least one production station (3) and at least one weighing and packaging station (4), comprising at least one rectilinear conveyor belt (6) and at least one curved conveyor belt (7), the long pasta (2) being arranged directly on the belts (61, 71) orthogonally with respect to the advancing direction. (FIG. 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: CYBORGLINE SA
    Inventor: Giuseppe Vezzani
  • Patent number: 10988318
    Abstract: A centrifugal dewatering conveyor system for removing liquid from a conveyed product comprises a modular conveyor belt designed to follow a path that includes both straight portions and helical portions. The modular conveyor belt comprises a plurality of hingedly connected modules having side walls and capable of shifting laterally relative to each other and curling up about the hinge rods to form the helical portions. In the helical portions, a centrifugal force imparted on conveyed product forces water through openings in the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Jacob Govert Vermeiden
  • Patent number: 10815073
    Abstract: Item singulation systems and methods may include an input conveyor, a separation conveyor, a turn conveyor, and an output conveyor that is positioned parallel with the input conveyor. A vision system may determine individual columns of items from among a plurality of items on the input conveyor. Operations of the input conveyor, separation conveyor, turn conveyor, and output conveyor may be controlled substantially as a pull system to transfer individual columns of items to the output conveyor, such that singulated items can be transferred by the output conveyor to downstream processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev Dwivedi, Mohit Malik, Vivek S. Narayanan, Shahid Azad, Ganesh Krishnamoorthy
  • Patent number: 10543987
    Abstract: A conveyor belt and a belt module having airflow passages that direct air exiting the module in different directions to agitate conveyed products. The airflow passages of injection-molded belt modules are formed with no undercut regions to accommodate the clean parting of the mold halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James O. Gundlach
  • Patent number: 10464755
    Abstract: A noseroller assembly for transitioning a conveyor belt at an end of a carryway comprises offset bearings for guiding a conveyor belt. A first set of bearings protrudes slightly from the end of the noseroller substrate to guide the conveyor belt around the noseroller and a second set of bearings in recessed from the end of the noseroller substrate to prevent wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gilbert J. MacLachlan, David C. Weiser
  • Patent number: 10392191
    Abstract: A curved belt conveyor including a frame, a first pulley and a second pulley carried by the frame, and a conveyor belt positioned around the first pulley and the second pulley. The conveyor belt includes a bead fitted to an outer boundary of the conveyor belt. A plurality of pillars are coupled to the frame and positioned around the outer boundary of the conveyor belt with an unobstructed space between adjacent pairs of the plurality of pillars providing access to an interior region between upper and lower portions of the conveyor belt. A pair of opposed roller assemblies are positioned on each pillar to cooperatively engage the bead and resist inward tension from the conveyor belt. At least one of the roller assemblies of each pair of roller assemblies is pivotably coupled to its associated pillar for movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen Charles King
  • Patent number: 10297399
    Abstract: As an electronic component conveyance device in which an electronic component is unlikely to jam in a conveyance path. A first magnetic force generation unit is provided lateral to a first sidewall in a midstream part. A second magnetic force generation unit is provided downstream of the first magnetic force generation unit and lateral to a second sidewall in the midstream part. The midstream part includes a first transition part connected with an upstream part and a second transition part connected with a downstream part. The first sidewall is parallel to a conveyance direction in the first transition part. The second sidewall extends in a direction different from the conveyance direction in the first transition part. The second sidewall is parallel to the conveyance direction in the second transition part. The first sidewall extends in a direction different from the conveyance direction in the second transition part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Kakuho, Naoto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10259654
    Abstract: A helical conveyor comprises a belt having a transport section for transporting products where the belt follows at least partly a helical path between a lower end and an upper end of the transport section and a return section where the belt follows a path. The conveyor comprises a lower end reverse guide for turning the belt upside down and reversing its direction of movement between the transport section and the return section at the lower end of the transport section and an upper end reverse guide for turning the belt upside down and reverting its direction of movement between the transport section and the return section at the upper end of the transport section. The return section leaves the upper end through a horizontally oriented upper return section portion and the return section leaves the lower end through a horizontally oriented lower return section portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: AMBAFLEX INTERNATIONAL B.V.
    Inventors: Wouter Balk, Johannes Wilhelmus Broers
  • Patent number: 10118766
    Abstract: A splice link for a conveyor belt includes an outer locking bar including at least one lower tab and an offset portion, an inner connector bar including at least one opening configured to receive the at least one lower tab on the outer locking bar and a front face having an upper tab, the offset portion on the outer locking bar configured to engage the upper tab of the inner connector bar. A further aspect of the disclosure includes a conveyor belt including a plurality of spaced tractive rods, a plurality of parallel pairs of edge bar links interconnecting the plurality of spaced tractive rods, and a splice link disposed between adjacent pairs of edge bar links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Perdue, Robert E. Maine, Jr., George H. Messick, Jr., Jeffrey D. Ulchak, Melody Elizabeth Fernaays
  • Patent number: 9776795
    Abstract: A pressing pulley is formed of a tapered roller having an angle same as a taper angle of a head pulley and having a length in a rotation axis direction of a tapered outer tube which is set to be shorter than a length in a rotation axis direction of a taper-shaped outer tube of the head pulley, and the pressing pulley is arranged in a state where a large-diameter-side end portion of the tapered outer tube is positioned in a vicinity of an outer peripheral edge portion of a fan-shaped belt and the pressing pulley is inclined so that a peripheral surface of the tapered outer tube presses a portion close to the outer periphery in a length from a pivot to the outer peripheral edge portion of the fan-shaped belt wound around the head pulley against a peripheral surface of the taper-shaped outer tube of the head pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: SANKI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuya Hishinuma
  • Patent number: 9751694
    Abstract: A conveyor including a side-flexing belt having a plurality of modules and a plurality of rods. Each module includes a central portion having a main region extending in a straight path, a plurality of front links each including a front aperture, a plurality of rear links each including a rear aperture, a plurality of front gaps between adjacent pairs of front links, and a plurality of rear gaps between adjacent pairs of rear links. A length of each front gap is substantially the same along substantially the entire thickness of an adjacent front link, and a length of each rear gap is substantially the same along the entire thickness of an adjacent rear link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Solus Industrial Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Apaar Sharma, Shivakumar Chougule
  • Patent number: 9669998
    Abstract: A conveyor system, is provided having a continuous looped conveyor belt having first and second conveyor belt portions, first and second opposite ends, and having first and second direction reversing members disposed at the first and second opposite ends. Each of the first and second conveyor belt portions also has an upper surface, and a lower surface. A series of regularly spaced followers are provided on the belt, and these followers are moved by a conveyor belt drive mechanism comprising at least one rotational drive member which is positioned in, and which rotates in, a plane which is parallel to the upper or lower surfaces of the first or second conveyor belt portions. The rotational drive member includes a series of teeth on the drive member. When rotated, the teeth releaseably engage with the followers on the belt to provide a low profile conveyor drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventor: Ivan Muchalov
  • Patent number: 9475645
    Abstract: A conveyor belt module has a conveying surface and a drive surface having a skewed drive edge for engaging a sprocket tooth. The skewed drive edge is skewed relative to the conveying surface. The skewed drive edge is formed on an interior drive surface in a sprocket pocket and—or an exterior drive surface on a drive element. The skewed drive edge is parallel to a corresponding downwardly-angled drive shaft accommodating sprockets of increasing size for driving a radius conveyor belt formed of a plurality of conveyor belt modules with skewed drive edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Laitram, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Abraham L. Miller, Gilbert J. MacLachlan
  • Patent number: 9434546
    Abstract: End drive for a conveyor, comprising a conveying track (6) for, during use, guiding a conveying part of a modular conveyor mat (2) of the side-flexing type, a return guide (10) extending at a distance along the conveying part for return guidance of a return part of the conveyor mat, and a gear drive (16) located between the conveying track and the return guide for, through engagement on the conveyor mat, drivingly having the conveyor mat round from the conveying track to the return guide. The conveying track and the return guide comprise a bend segment where the conveying part and the return part of the conveyor mat, respectively, are guided in their planes through a bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: REXNORD FLATTOP EUROPE B.V.
    Inventors: Leonardus Adrians Catharinus Cornelissen, Cornelis Hendrik Mijndert Menke
  • Patent number: 9409721
    Abstract: A wear-indicating conveyor track including an upper surface configured to interface with a moveable conveyor and one or more indicators disposed on or in at least the upper surface of the track. The one or more indicators can be configured to be substantially obscured by a conveyor placed on the track upon initial use, and the one or more indicators can be configured to be substantially unobscured by the conveyor when the conveyor is moving relative to the track and the track is in need of repair or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Solus Industrial Innovations, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Musick, Bruce Wagner
  • Patent number: 9394021
    Abstract: There is provided a conveyance device that can convey a conveyance truck composed of two truck bodies on which a worker rides and does a work in a widthwise direction of a large conveyance object, using a friction type drive unit disposed on a linear route or a curved route, which can improve workability and reduce manufacturing cost. A conveyance device includes a connecting device C for connecting conveyance trucks 1 on front and rear positions. Each of the trucks 1 is configured so that a first truck body 1A whose front and rear end surfaces are arc-shaped projections in plan view and a second truck body 1B whose front and rear end surfaces are arc-shaped recesses in plan view are connected to be capable of curving in a horizontal direction, and upper surfaces of the first truck body 1A and the second truck body 1B are approximately horizontal surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: NAKANISHI METAL WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Okazaki, Ryoichi Kitaguchi
  • Patent number: 9227784
    Abstract: A curved conveyor assembly includes a frame that defines a curved conveyance path. A conveyor belt is positioned on the frame system for travel along the curved conveyance path. At least one hold down guide is mounted to the frame and manually movable between an operating position and an access position. In the operating position a retaining lip of the hold down guide extends into the curved conveyance path proximate an edge of the conveyor belt for limiting upward movement of the edge of the conveyor belt. In the access position the retaining lip is moved away from the edge of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Kleenline LLC
    Inventors: James Laverdiere, Joshua Laverdiere, Stuart Olsen, Martin D. Flansbury, Michael R. Simon, Brian C. Bourque
  • Patent number: 9120628
    Abstract: A curved belt conveyor has a conveying belt (3). The conveyor includes an application element (8) guided by a plurality of rollers (20) arranged in pairs. Each pair of rollers (20) is arranged on a retaining element (10). The retaining element (10) has a U-shaped profile with a base (11) and two limbs (12, 13). Rollers (20) are fastened on the opposite limbs (12, 13) of the U-shaped profile via associated roller holders (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: TRANSNORM SYSTEM GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Ventz, René Schällig
  • Patent number: 9120626
    Abstract: A curved belt conveyor includes a circulating transport belt. The transport belt is connected to the outer side of the curved belt conveyor provided with a chain. The chain has guides guided by guide elements of the curved belt conveyor. Among other things, the guides are detachable from the chain and can be constructed as a roller or a wearing part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: TRANSNORM SYSTEM, GmbH
    Inventors: Kai Ventz, René Schällig
  • Patent number: 8931623
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accumulation device (4) comprising a first linear conveyor belt (5) and a second linear conveyor belt (6), a third conveyor belt (7) forming a semi-circle and configured for transferring items from the first to the second conveyor belt and translation means (10, 11) of the third belt relative to the first and second belt. The accumulation device comprises two ramp systems (23, 24) attached respectively to the two ends (7a, 7b) of the third belt. The first ramp system (23) deforms the first belt to constitute a first slope ensuring that items rise from the first belt to the third belt. The second ramp system (24) deforms the second belt to constitute a second slope ensuring that items descend from the third belt to the second belt. Displacement of the third conveyor belt at the same time enables displacement of the first and second slopes formed on the first and second belt. The invention also relates to an installation equipped with such an accumulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Hervé Deflandre
  • Publication number: 20140367228
    Abstract: A curved conveyor assembly includes a frame that defines a curved conveyance path. A conveyor belt is positioned on the frame system for travel along the curved conveyance path. At least one hold down guide is mounted to the frame and manually movable between an operating position and an access position. In the operating position a retaining lip of the hold down guide extends into the curved conveyance path proximate an edge of the conveyor belt for limiting upward movement of the edge of the conveyor belt. In the access position the retaining lip is moved away from the edge of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: James Laverdiere, Joshua Laverdiere, Stuart Olsen, Martin D. Flansbury, Michael R. Simon, Brian C. Bourque
  • Publication number: 20140262694
    Abstract: Curved conveyors are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a curved conveyor includes a first end and a second end. Items to be conveyed are received onto the conveyor at the first end and the items to be conveyed are removed from the conveyor at the second end. The conveyor forms an arc between the first end and the second end. A continuous belt rotates between the first end and the second end along the arc of the curved conveyor. The belt has a forward path during its travel from the first end to the second end and a return path during its travel from the second end to the first end. A chain is attached to the belt wherein the chain forms a catenary in at least a portion of the return path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: INTERROLL HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Darrell Keith Knigge
  • Patent number: 8794423
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and assemblies comprising one or more tapered feed rolls. Tapered feed rolls may be used to change the rate and direction of workpiece travel along a processing line while retaining the workpieces in sequential order. Routing workpiece flow with tapered feed rolls may allow the workpieces to be tracked along one or more processing lines, and may reduce the operational space required for workpiece processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: USNR, LLC
    Inventors: Petri Sasstamo, Christopher W. Blomquist, Mike Dockter
  • Patent number: 8776999
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus having an articulating frame for conveying articles, as well as self-propelled articulating frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Dyco, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Yohe, Ronald H. Cordingly, Thomas M. Zurewich, Yakov Kushnir
  • Patent number: 8763789
    Abstract: A drive system for curved segments of roller conveyors and more specifically to a cost-effective, efficient, and reliable system of transferring power from a straight segment to an adjacent segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: TGW Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Earl Wallace
  • Patent number: 8763792
    Abstract: A conveyance system includes a traveling member to transport an article installed for movement along a travel guide. A drive source arranged to drive the traveling member is a linear motor including an armature, disposed along the travel guide, and a mover on the secondary side installed on the traveling member. The travel guide includes a rectilinear section and a curved section. The armatures of the linear motor are spaced at a distance from each other and arranged such that a plurality of the armatures are arranged along the rectilinear section and the curved section of the travel guide. The travel guide is arranged to accommodate a plurality of traveling members mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuya Iwasaki, Kazuhiro Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8701874
    Abstract: Conveyors are disclosed herein. An embodiment of a conveyor includes a bed having a first end and a second end, wherein a belt is slidable on the bed. The belt is in a first portion of its travel when it is located adjacent the bed and the belt is in a second portion of its travel when it is located opposite the bed. A curve is located on the first end of the bed, wherein the belt contacts at least a portion of the curve as the belt transitions between the first portion of travel and the second portion of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventors: Darrell Keith Knigge, Thomas Quintin Harding
  • Patent number: 8672119
    Abstract: A system for providing stability to a carriage along a curved portion of a rail. The system includes a support rail having a bend. The bend includes a support surface. The carriage is configured to engage the support surface so as to stabilize the carriage as the carriage is moved through the curved portion of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael David Anstett
  • Patent number: 8459444
    Abstract: The invention is an improvement to a conveying equipment that includes at least one curved corridor in which runs a queue of products moved by an endless mobile belt, said corridor being defined by: a first wall connected to the frame and having a first fixed curvature radius and a second wall mobile relative to said frame and having a second curvature radius that varies based on the products, said second mobile wall including: a guiding profile that may comprise several members, used as a friction surface and extending from an inlet up to an outlet of said curved corridor opposite said first fixed wall; a structure bearing said guiding profile, the structure including several segments connected to moving means, said segments being in abutment and distributed between the inlet and the outlet of the curved corridor and being movably housed in said guiding profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Brice Perreard, David Perrin, Zmaj Petrovic
  • Patent number: 8397903
    Abstract: A modular belt conveyor (12), in particular curving or helical conveyor, including a number of mutually interconnected modular belt conveyor links (14) that together form a common curving or helical conveyor with an inner and outer belt edge, respectively, of which at least one belt edge, preferably the inner belt edge, interacts by inter-spaced, preferably vertical curve guides, wherein at the belt edge or edges interacting with the curve guide, each of the belt conveyor links (14) are either provided with an edge reinforcement or are fitted with an edge element (20), the edge reinforcement or edge element (20), respectively, together with the corresponding adjacent belt conveyor link (14) forming a substantially closed guide surface (34) at the belt edge in question. In a simple way and by means of simple technical means are hereby achieved the possibility of counteracting the said problems of lateral incisions or apertures at the inner or outer belt edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ammeraal Beltech Modular A/S
    Inventor: Kenneth Westergaard Andersen
  • Patent number: 8393462
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a carriage frame that is used in a slope plate carriage carrousel system that may be found in airports for conveying luggage for passengers to claim. A slope plate carrousel carriage frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a slope plate support member. The slope plate support member is configured to support a slope plate of the carrousel system. A lower carriage is coupled to the slope plate support member. The carriage frame also includes at least one removable connecting link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Globe Composite Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventor: Brian Charles Evans
  • Patent number: 8348048
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AG
    Inventors: Marco DeAngelis, Erwin Muller
  • Patent number: 8322519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt conveyor which comprises a conveyor belt (20) that is guided around at least one return shaft (30), thereby forming an upper run and a lower run, and a drive device for moving the conveyor belt (20), characterized in that the drive device is preferably arranged in a separate manner from the return shaft (30) and drives the conveyor belt (20) in the area of a deflection between upper run and lower run. The drive device preferably comprises a toothed belt (40) or V-belt arranged at an edge section of the conveyor belt (20) and a rotationally drivable toothed wheel (60) or a V-belt disk. The toothed belt (40) or V-belt is connected or connectable, preferably in a releasable manner, to the conveyor belt (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Interroll Holding AG
    Inventor: Michael Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8292063
    Abstract: A twin strand conveyor uses roller chains to move pallets along straight conveyor sections and an unpowered corner assembly that enables the pallets to glide around corners of the conveyor. The pallets are transferred from an upstream conveyor section into the corner assembly using a corner injection unit that includes powered rollers that lift the pallets off the roller chains an onto a set of ball transfers that support the pallets as they glide through the corner assembly. A pickup unit having powered rollers draws the pallets off the ball transfers and onto the roller chains of the downstream conveyor section. Side guides are used to direct the pallets around the turn and onto the downstream conveyor section. One or more movable guides can be used in conjunction with a third or more conveyor sections to permit selective diverting of the pallets between the different conveyor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Fori Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul George Doan
  • Patent number: 8196736
    Abstract: A roller conveyor includes a drive member whose path and the end of the overlying portions of the rollers sortation conveyor is configured to avoid substantial contact between certain rollers and the drive member. The roller conveyor is depicted in an embodiment as an accumulation conveyor with skewed roller sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Intelligrated Headquarters, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald G. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8191704
    Abstract: A conveyance device uses a simple structure to cause a travel body on which food and drink are placed to travel stably. The conveyance device (10) causes the travel body (11) to travel and convey the food and drink that can be placed on the travel body (11). The conveyance device (10) has a conveyance drive section (13) provided along a travel path (12) on which the travel body (11) travels and also has a travel body connection section (14) connected to the travel body (11) and moving in the direction of travel of the travel body (11) by being driven by the conveyance drive section (13). The conveyance drive section (13) is placed on a side of the travel path (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Ishino Seisakusyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruki Ishino, Satoshi Sakajiri, Ikuo Takashima, Eiji Nakayama, Yasuhiro Tokuda, Tetsuji Kitamura
  • Patent number: 8186504
    Abstract: Roller-guided conveyors are described herein. An example roller-guided conveyor comprises a first holder and a second holder and a first guide roller and a second guide roller. The first guide roller has a first axis of rotation and pivotally coupled to the first holder about a pivot axis that is eccentric relative to the first axis of rotation. The first guide roller is spaced a distance from the second guide roller to guide a conveyor belt therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Caljan Rite-Hite APS
    Inventors: Uwe B. Schöning, Bernd Grutza
  • Patent number: 8167121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt retention guide for retaining the position of a belt having beads along its peripheral edge. The belt retention guide comprises a first roller, a movable portion, and a fixing portion. The first roller engages with the beads and retains the position of the beads. The movable portion supports the first roller and the fixing portion engages with the movable portion. The beads are pinched between the first roller and the fixing portion, thereby retaining the position of the belt. The movable portion is configured to be movable between a fixed position where the first roller engages with the beads to pinch them, and a released position where the first roller is separated from the beads to release them. The movable portion is secured in the fixed position by insertion of a stop member through or between the movable portion and the fixing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Nitta Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Yuasa, Hironori Kanazawa, Syogo Kimoto
  • Patent number: 8162132
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: WRH Walter Reist Holding AG
    Inventor: Erwin Muller
  • Patent number: 8083053
    Abstract: A conveyor belt for following a conveyance path with straight and curved conveyance path sections is constructed of module rows of a module (10) or a plurality of modules situated side by side in the transverse direction of the conveyor belt. Adjacent module rows are connected to each other by means of connecting pins (42). Each module comprises a set (15) of first aligned spaced fingers (16) with transverse aperture (40), and also a set (19) of second aligned spaced fingers (20) with transverse aperture (44), which in general are disposed in a staggered position relative to the first fingers (16). The mutual distance between at least the three outermost fingers of a set situated side by side and having the same width in a set is greater than the mutual distance between fingers situated side by side at a distance from the abovementioned at least three outermost fingers. A shorter run-in length and run-out length of a curved conveyance section of the conveyance path is achieved in this way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ammeraal Beltech B.V.
    Inventors: Jacobus Gerardus Maria Paardekooper, Germ Buter
  • Patent number: 8011496
    Abstract: A conveyor means (1) for transporting articles (3) by an endless conveyor belt (5) is disclosed. The endless conveyor belt (5) has lengthwise two sides (6) and is lead on a support (11) and composed of a plurality of chain links (9). The endless conveyor belt (5) has a curved path (8) in at least one section and the curved path (8) having a radius of curvature (44) with reference to a central point (42) of a circle (40). The support (11) has at least one inner guiding (17) for the endless conveyor belt (5), and the inner guiding (17) running along an inner side section (7) of a side (6) of the endless conveyor belt (5) being directly opposite of the central point (42) at the curved path (8). A plurality of rolls (21) is arranged along the inner guiding (17), wherein the rolls (21) operating with each face (23) of the chain links (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Martin Seger, Wolfgang Hausladen
  • Patent number: 7987974
    Abstract: A conveyor belt is made with a series of spaced apart buttonless rods. The buttonless rods are connected to each other with a plurality of links. The buttonless ends of the rods are welded or otherwise affixed to the links so that the ends of the rods are substantially coplanar with the outer surface of the links. This forms a relatively smooth link surface, which is readily cleaned and sanitized. Additionally, wear and tear is reduced on driving grip surfaces that frictionally grab onto the links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Ashworth Brothers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Montgomery, Craig Musselman, Joseph Fout, Paul Steinhoff
  • Patent number: 7975839
    Abstract: The present invention is related to interlockers or beadings that are attached to the outer edges of conveyor belts. Interlockers and/or beadings or portions thereof are reinforced with aramid fibers to improve their durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Transnorm System, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick Lee
  • Publication number: 20110120838
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt conveyor which comprises a conveyor belt (20) that is guided around at least one return shaft (30), thereby forming an upper run and a lower run, and a drive device for moving the conveyor belt (20), characterized in that the drive device is preferably arranged in a separate manner from the return shaft (30) and drives the conveyor belt (20) in the area of a deflection between upper run and lower run. The drive device preferably comprises a toothed belt (40) or V-belt arranged at an edge section of the conveyor belt (20) and a rotationally drivable toothed wheel (60) or a V-belt disk. The toothed belt (40) or V-belt is connected or connectable, preferably in a releasable manner, to the conveyor belt (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: INTERROLL HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Michael Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7891482
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to improve the productivity and make the assembling operation easier in a carrier apparatus for carrying a work while performing an assembling operation by making effective use of an inside region, even in the case where a conveyor line is provided in the form of a circling route. In a free flow type conveyor line (1) in which a work is loaded on a pallet (2) having a floor surface which travels substantially at the same level as a floor surface (5) for operation, a horizontal curved section (3) is provided in a section of the line (1), and the pallet (2) is divided into a first, a second and a third divided pallet elements (2A, 2B, 2C) in the carrying direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaname Takahashi, Yoshiharu Hatsusaka, Mikiya Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7878320
    Abstract: A directional-change conveyor (1) is provided for conveying piece goods (2) along a first conveying strip and a second conveying strip oriented in a different direction. A transfer structure (3) is provided for transferring conveyed piece goods from the first to the second conveying strip. The first and second conveying strips are twin-belt conveyors (4, 5). The transfer structure (3) is provided with tilted non-driven guide rollers (11) in an angle sector (10) between the two revolving belts (6, 7) of the first twin-belt conveyor (4). The lateral revolving belts (6, 7; 8, 9) of the two twin-belt conveyors (4, 5) are provided as the only drive of the conveyor (1). The tilted non-driven (first) guide rollers (11) are the exclusive deflection elements in the angle sector (10) and deflect conveyed piece goods (2) from the first twin-belt conveyor (4) on a curved strip to the second twin-belt conveyor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Knapp Logistik Automation GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Freudelsperger
  • Patent number: 7870950
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes first and second upstanding posts disposed in longitudinally spaced apart relation to one another. Each post is surmounted by forward and rearward support arms that form a “V”-shape. A forward drive belt is mounted for rotation along a path of travel perpendicular to the forward support arms. A first embodiment cradles a product container between the forward drive belt and a rearward primary support arm. A second embodiment includes the first embodiment structure and adds a rearward secondary support arm. A third embodiment includes the primary but not the rearward secondary support arm, the forward drive belt and a forward secondary support arm. A fourth embodiment includes the rearward primary and secondary support arms, the forward drive belt and a forward secondary support arm. The product container is tilted from vertical so that the conveyor follows a path of travel including curvatures having no guide rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Rhett L. Rinne