Means Twists Carrier Belt Or Guides It Between Angularly Oriented Horizontal Reaches Patents (Class 198/839)
  • Patent number: 11198566
    Abstract: A method for transferring conveyed items from at least one feed conveyor onto an outgoing conveyor, in a transfer region, wherein the at least one feed conveyor includes a conveying member that is driven along a feed conveying stretch, for conveying conveyed items into the transfer region, and the outgoing conveyor includes conveying containers that are movable along a transfer conveying stretch for taking over the conveyed items that are delivered by the at least one feed conveyor. The conveyed items that lie on the conveying member are accelerated relative to the conveying member along the feed conveying stretch towards the transfer region via an acceleration device and for the purpose of delivery of the conveyed items are brought into a cyclically synchronous side-by-side conveying with a conveying container of the outgoing conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: WRH WALTER REIST HOLDING AG
    Inventor: Markus Bretz
  • Patent number: 10336547
    Abstract: A sample container handling device is presented. The device comprises a linear transport unit and a release unit comprising a release blade segment. The release blade segment is rotated in a constant rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Reto Andrin Meier, Alina Iwan
  • 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: 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: 8627943
    Abstract: A guide arrangement is provided for guiding movement of a transport member to convey products in a conveying direction of a conveying section having a predetermined course. The transport member includes a number of functional units operatively connected to each other. The guide arrangement includes a number of sequentially connected guide rail elements defining a guide channel along the conveying section. The guide channel has inside walls including structure to guide the transport member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Mueller Martini Holding AG
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Oppliger, Michael Landolt
  • Patent number: 8490272
    Abstract: A conveyor belt for use with a merge or diverge conveying apparatus and a method of providing a new conveyor belt to the conveying apparatus. Polymeric loops attached to each end of the conveyor belt attach the ends of the conveyor belt to each other. Visible wear and tear to the nose bar of the merge or diverge conveying apparatus is reduced when compared to prior art conveyor belts for merge or diverge conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Transnorm System, Inc.
    Inventors: John Langsdorf, Gary Cline
  • Publication number: 20130092512
    Abstract: A belt conveyor for a road-finishing machine or a charger. The belt conveyor includes a conveyor belt in which a displaceably mounted support element abuts the conveyor belt, and a first and a second piston cylinder unit operate to displace the support element. The first and the second hydraulic piston cylinder units can be pressurised independently of each other in order to move the support element into a desired inclined position. If the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor runs laterally away from the support element, the out-of-true running of the conveyor belt can be counteracted by an inclined position of the support element which moves the conveyor belt back into its original position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: JOSEPH VOGELE AG
    Inventors: Martin Buschmann, Steffen Fickeisen, Andreas Letz, Joschka Neumann
  • Patent number: 8177054
    Abstract: A method for conveying material wherein a conveyor belt is guided over head drums so as to form a forward travelling and returning stretch. The conveyor belt is guided in such a way that the forward travelling and returning stretches intersect each other as seen in the horizontal projection, i.e., as seen in the direction of the drum axes, and the conveyor belt travels over both head drums from the top toward the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Storch
  • Patent number: 8162127
    Abstract: A dynamic storage for objects having an endless conveyor chain equipped with receptacles for the objects and having at least two contrarotating upper pulleys that are adjustable in height such that the conveyor chain forms two essentially vertical loops whose variable lengths are defined by the upper pulleys, the stationary lower pulleys rotating in essentially horizontal planes and being connected to the essentially vertical loops by curved guides for the conveyor chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventors: Heinz Humele, Wolfgang Hausladen, Bruno Landler
  • Patent number: 8016101
    Abstract: A change-over mechanism causing a main support frame and a sub support frame to rotate is made up of a drive motor, a rotating body, and coupling rods. One end of the coupling rod is coupled to the rotating body, and the other end thereof is coupled to the main support frame. One end of the coupling rod is coupled to the rotating body, and the other end thereof is coupled to the sub support frame. When a belt junction conveyor is changed over between a first and a second transfer states, one of the coupling rods is pushed out and the other one is pulled by the rotating body rotating by an activation of the drive motor, so that the main and the sub support frames are rotated in the opposite direction from each other, and a direction of transport of products by an endless belt is changed over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Sanki Engineering Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Nobuya Hishinuma
  • Patent number: 7913836
    Abstract: A conveyor, in particular tubular conveyor, includes a conveyor belt (1) guided over head drums (2, 3) so as to form a forward traveling and returning stretch (4, 6). The conveyor belt is guided in such a way that the forward traveling and returning stretches intersect each other as seen in the horizontal projection, i.e., as seen in the direction of the drum axes, and the conveyor belt (1) travels over both head drums (2, 3) from the top toward the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: FLSmidth A/S
    Inventor: Thomas Storch
  • Patent number: 7891480
    Abstract: A rail element conveys suspended objects, such as bottles or preforms. The rail element includes two guide rails which are separated by a pre-defined distance and which form lateral support surfaces for the objects being conveyed along a conveyor passageway, such as preform sub-neck guides. A helically-curved conveyor section consists of a frame on which the guide rails are helically arranged. At least one guide rail includes a flat band that can be removed from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventors: Eric Lemaistre, Alain Charpentier, Cyril Savary
  • 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 ā€œVā€-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
  • Patent number: 7832549
    Abstract: A curved conveyor comprises a toothed, endless belt and a slider bed that supports a portion of the belt. The slider bed can include at least one guide in the form of a rail extending along the slider bed in the direction of belt travel. Each of the belt teeth are discontinuous and have at least one gap sized to receive the at least one guide; thus, the at least one guide prevents inward radial migration of the belt during movement of the belt. The conveyor can further comprise a center guide wheel or a guide post to prevent belt radial migration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Thermodrive LLC
    Inventor: James Honeycutt
  • Patent number: 7757839
    Abstract: Slides for use on an endless belt conveyor belt and wear pads for use on slides for endless belt conveyors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Canglide Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Boudreau
  • Patent number: 7628267
    Abstract: An installation for conveying goods, such as bulk materials, breakdown and overburden materials, mineral substances, and the like, from a loading station to an unloading station has a continuous conveyor belt that is borne by supporting cables, is moved along guide cables, from the loading station to the unloading station, rolls on supporting rollers, and is guided over deflecting drums in the loading and the unloading station. A respective turning device is located downstream of the unloading station and upstream of the loading station, as seen in the movement direction of the conveyor belt, is fastened on supporting frames, is provided for turning the return strand of the conveyor belt. The guide is formed with a helically running guide track for turning the conveyor belt downstream of the unloading station and upstream of the loading station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Trieb
  • Publication number: 20090127077
    Abstract: An installation for conveying goods, such as bulk materials, breakdown and overburden materials, mineral substances, and the like, from a loading station to an unloading station has a continuous conveyor belt that is borne by supporting cables, is moved along guide cables, from the loading station to the unloading station, rolls on supporting rollers, and is guided over deflecting drums in the loading and the unloading station. A respective turning device is located downstream of the unloading station and upstream of the loading station, as seen in the movement direction of the conveyor belt, is fastened on supporting frames, is provided for turning the return strand of the conveyor belt. The guide is formed with a helically running guide track for turning the conveyor belt downstream of the unloading station and upstream of the loading station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: INNOVA PATENT GMBH
    Inventor: Herbert Trieb
  • Patent number: 7431150
    Abstract: An adjustable curved neck guide for a conveyor is disclosed. The guide comprises a plurality of segments mounted on first and second plates using a series of pin and slot assemblies. Each segment has first and second surfaces and a guide edge, the segments arranged end to end such that the guide edges define a curve having radius. As the second plate is moved relative to the first plate, the pins slide in the slots thereby moving the segments and changing the radius of curvature defined by the guide edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Sidel (Canada) Inc.
    Inventor: Michel Ranger
  • Patent number: 7275638
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a bent curve element and a blank for manufacturing a bent curved metal element for an endless chain conveying track are disclosed. The bent curve element has a support flange intended to constitute a guide rail for a first side of chain elements forming part of the chain conveying track, and a web from which the first flange extends. The web is intended to provide torsional rigidity to the bend element. A bend element is used to make bend unit which in turn is used to make a conveying track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Flexlink Components AB
    Inventor: Andreas Rundqvist
  • Patent number: 7234588
    Abstract: A merge conveyor defines a travel pathway for moving cargo. A tail pulley has a first rotational axis which is perpendicular to the travel pathway. First and second nose bars are parallel and spaced and are disposed at an angle with respect to the travel pathway. A drive pulley has a second rotational axis which is parallel with the travel pathway. A snub pulley has a third rotational axis which is parallel with the first rotational axis. An endless belt is sequentially routed over the tail pulley, the first nose bar, the drive pulley, the second nose bar, and the snub pulley. The endless belt extends directly from the second nose bar to the snub pulley and then directly to the tail pulley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: FKI Logistex Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence Anthony Buxton
  • Patent number: 6919557
    Abstract: A device for controlling a continuous movement of an object with symmetry of revolution (1) comprises a conveyor (5) having two parallel guides, (6) and at least one pair of belts (8) stretched on the guides, between and on which these objects move at the level of the guides. These belts form an angle (11) between a top track and a lower track of each of the belts. The belts in the pair have the same direction of rotation around the guides, the same value of the measured angle (11) from the upper track to the lower track, and the same displacement speed. Preferably, the pair of belts consists of a single folded belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Marc Mergy, Jean-Luc Lecomte, Laurent Letellier, Jean-FranƧois Larue
  • Patent number: 6886681
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveyor apparatus, and more specifically to a conveyor apparatus that is capable of accepting a web of material having little to no inherent structural integrity from a first direction, inverting the material, and dispatching said material in a second direction. A conveyor apparatus for handling and inverting a web of material in accordance with the present invention comprises a receiving conveyor having an upper run for receiving the web of material after inversion. The present apparatus further includes an inversion conveyor having first and second legs arranged at an angle to each other, with the second leg of the conversion conveyor being positioned above the upper run of the receiving conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Nolan, Leonard Streeper
  • Patent number: 6802503
    Abstract: In a transport mechanism of a sorting machine for large thin objects, objects to be transported (paper sheets such as postal matter) stored in transport boxes can be made collectable into smaller collection boxes than the transport boxes. The transport boxes storing and transporting the paper sheets given sorting information are attached to a free chain which is supported by the rail that is twisted and always drives, and when it approaches a spot where the rail is twisted, the free chain is also twisted following the rail. The transport boxes attached to the free chain are also tilted at the same time, and the paper sheets reach an end surfaces on the side at which the transport boxes are lowered and are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhito Iida, Kenichi Ikegami
  • Publication number: 20040084286
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible conveyor comprising a carrying structure and a conveyor belt where the upper side is defined by the loading surface of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Poul Erik Damkjaer
  • Patent number: 6685010
    Abstract: A device for inward and outward transfer of material comprises a conveyor section with a continuous belt for receiving the material at an angle, and an airlock section and a guide section for guiding the continuous belt. The airlock section has a rectangular end area and an acute-angle end area. There is a drive having a driving drum and a back-up roller. The drive is arranged in proximity to the rectangular end area of the airlock section and the back-up roller is displaceable in a direction of the driving drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Transnorm System GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Warnecke
  • Publication number: 20040011628
    Abstract: A track frame assembly to guide the conveyor chain or the like in a conveyor system is provided which includes at least a pair of frame members (A1), coupling block (10) and track rails (D). The frame member (A1) includes a base plate portion (1) and a pair of bent plate portions (2 and 4). The bent plate portions (2 and 4) have a plurality of cuts (5) formed therein nearly perpendicularly to the length thereof at predetermined intervals. When the base plate portion (1) is curbed in the direction of its thickness, the cuts (5) are deformed and the bent plate portions (2 and 4) are bent in the direction of their width, so that the frame members can be deformed easily and positively to a desired curved shape. Therefore, the track frame assembly is highly lightweight and rigid, simply configured, easy to produce and suitable for mass production, easy to handle and assemble. Thus the track frame assembly is optimally usable as a curved track portion in the conveyor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Motoya Koeda, Kazuyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6662937
    Abstract: A device for inward and outward transfer of material to be conveyed at an angle into a conveyor section. The device comprises an airlock section over which the material is conveyed, having a rectangular end area and an acute-angle end area; and a guide section disposed proximate to the acute-angle end area of the airlock section. A continuous belt is guided around the airlock and the guide section and a drive moves the continuous belt. A guide element is disposed at the acute-angle end area of the airlock section, and is detachable on at least one end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Transnorm System GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Warnecke
  • Patent number: 6640965
    Abstract: A conveyor belt moves material from a loading station to an unloading station. The belt is formed on its two sides with spaced support rollers that move along a support track. The belt is guided over deflection drums in the loading station and in the unloading station. A turning device turns the conveyor belt through about 180° after the deflection drum in the unloading station, and a turning device turns the conveyor belt back through about 180° in front of the deflection drum of the loading station. Each turning device is formed by a support structure similar to a hollow cylinder with two spiral guides on the inside, along which the support rollers can be moved. The two guides lie approximately diametrically opposite one another and execute an angular rotation of about 180° over the length of the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Innova Patent GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Trieb
  • Patent number: 6612425
    Abstract: A conveyor system which has a continuous path conveyor is to be used for transporting and accumulating excessive loads. The conveyor may be formed of a continuous loop of chain elements. The conveyor path consists of two or more product carrying sections and corresponding offset return path sections. A product carrying section of the conveyor wraps around power driven sprockets where it is fed into and becomes a return path section. From there the path is guided over and aligned with free turning tail sprockets, where it is returned as a product carrying section. This section is then fed onto second drive sprockets, powered by another power means, where it again becomes a return path section, guided over tail sprockets and returned as a product carrying section. In this manner, the load of the conveyor chain is relieved at each drive sprocket assembly, thereby increasing the available working distance of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Garvey Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Garvey
  • Publication number: 20030155212
    Abstract: The invention concerns an accumulator device having a general U-shape consisting of two parallel endless belt conveyors, communicating through an endless belt conveyor with semicircular trajectory borne by a mobile carriage driven by a translation movement parallel to said parallel conveyors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Bernard Abert, Philippe Carabin
  • Publication number: 20030155214
    Abstract: A conveyor belt moves material from a loading station to an unloading station. The belt is formed on its two sides with spaced support rollers that move along a support track. The belt is guided over deflection drums in the loading station and in the unloading station. A turning device turns the conveyor belt through about 180° after the deflection drum in the unloading station, and a turning device turns the conveyor belt back through about 180° in front of the deflection drum of the loading station. Each turning device is formed by a support structure similar to a hollow cylinder with two spiral guides on the inside, along which the support rollers can be moved. The two guides lie approximately diametrically opposite one another and execute an angular rotation of about 180° over the length of the support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventor: Herbert Trieb
  • Publication number: 20020121429
    Abstract: A device for inward and outward transfer of material comprises a conveyor section with a continuous belt for receiving the material at an angle, and an airlock section and a guide section for guiding the continuous belt. The airlock section has a rectangular end area and an acute-angle end area. There is a drive having a driving drum and a back-up roller. The drive is arranged in proximity to the rectangular end area of the airlock section and the back-up roller is displaceable in a direction of the driving drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: Transnorm System GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Warnecke
  • Publication number: 20020121423
    Abstract: A device for inward and outward transfer of material to be conveyed at an angle into a conveyor section. The device comprises an airlock section over which the material is conveyed, having a rectangular end area and an acute-angle end area; and a guide section disposed proximate to the acute-angle end area of the airlock section. A continuous belt is guided around the airlock and the guide section and a drive moves the continuous belt. At least one guide element is disposed at the acute-angle end area of said airlock section, wherein said at least one guide element is detachable on at least one end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: Transnorm System GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Warnecke
  • Publication number: 20020060141
    Abstract: A modular conveyor system having an improved side flexing conveyor belt and improved active guide rail is provided. One or more roller assemblies replace the passive inside or outside guide rails in a curved section of the conveyor system for reducing the drag force on the conveyor belt as it negotiates the curve. Pairs of articulated members interconnect roller assemblies and allow the relative angular position of each to be selectively adjusted. The improved side flexing conveyor belt includes side links having a curved skirt which bridges the gap between the side links, thereby providing a continuous bearing surface for smooth operation. The skirts of adjacent links engage each other in edge-to-edge contact to prevent the tendency to sag, as well as assisting the conveyor belt in ramping up and down and the retention of the conveyor belt along a return run.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: James L. Layne, Wendell S. Bell, Michael D. McDaniel, Mark T. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6357572
    Abstract: A continuous conveying apparatus of an unified going/returning way type in which tread faces can be turned around with driving elements (chains or the like) on both sides of the tread faces maintained. A movable member having tread faces is turned helicoidally by 180° around an axis which extends in a plane parallel to the reference plane of the tread faces and is inclined at an angle of 45° with respect to the traveling direction. Then, the movable member travels horizontally and turned helicoidally by 180° around another axis which is inclined oppositely to the aforementioned axis. Thus, the movable member travels in the direction opposite to the going direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventor: Masao Kubota
  • Patent number: 6334526
    Abstract: A conveyor, such as a baggage reclaim or air-side collection carousel, having a moving surface with overlapping flat plates. The plates are horizontal in some portions of the conveyor, and are tilted in at least one other portion of the conveyor, with transition portions in-between. Articles on the conveyor are thus urged towards one side of the moving surface for easier removal of articles from the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann Dematic Colby PTY Limited
    Inventor: Gerald Hatton
  • Publication number: 20010015315
    Abstract: A continuous conveying apparatus of an unified going/returning way type in which tread faces can be turned around with driving elements (chains or the like) on both sides of the tread faces maintained. A movable member having tread faces is turned helicoidally by 180° around an axis which extends in a plane parallel to the reference plane of the tread faces and is inclined at an angle of 45° with respect to the traveling direction. Then, the movable member travels horizontally and turned helicoidally by 180° around another axis which is inclined oppositely to the aforementioned axis. Thus, the movable member travels in the direction opposite to the going direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventor: Masao Kubota
  • Patent number: 6276520
    Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a pair of side-by-side conveyors adapted to move articles such as baggage or cargo in opposite directions simultaneously, preferably at the same elevation, and linked together by an endless belt. The endless belt is directed from the exit of one conveyor to the entrance of the other conveyor and from the exit of the other conveyor to the entrance of the one conveyor via a pair of conveyor twist assemblies which maintain the baggage carrying surface in an upward orientation on both conveyors. The twist assemblies can employ vertical or horizontal rolls to attain the direction change of the endless belt. Staggered idler rolls can be arranged beneath the two conveyors for belt support and reduction of vibration caused by belt travel. The side-by-side conveyor system is particularly useful in multiple stacked arrangements in tunnels for airports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: William A. Mensch
  • Patent number: 6196377
    Abstract: A flexible drive tape conveyor system for conveying items between at least two spaced apart stations includes a carrier member and at least one tape guide track having a tape guide. The drive tape is substantially inflexible in a direction transverse to its width, and is at least partially housed in the tape guide. At least a portion of a tape guide track and tape guide are twisted about their longitudinal axis so that the drive tape and its affected carrier member can be turned in a direction transverse to the width of the drive tape. A drive mechanism is used to selectively reciprocate the drive tape and the carrier member between the spaced apart stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: E. F. Bavis & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Brown
  • Patent number: 6170648
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an angle station 3 for lateral angular displacement of an endless conveyor belt 2 in a conveyor system. The angle station 3 comprises a belt guide in the form of a multiplicity of guide rollers 22 mounted on a roller support. The guide rollers 22 are arranged in an axially and laterally extending array, so as to define a generally continuously curved support for a conveyor belt 2 in use of the angle station 3. The roller support comprise an elongate support member 24 provided with a plurality of roller support elements 26 mounting roller mounting members 28 which are arranged along a plurality of axially spaced substantially helical pathways C, D, E, F. The roller support elements 26 project from the elongate support member 24 and the elongate support member 24 is laterally offset and spaced from a common longitudinal axis of the helical pathways for the roller mounting members 28 so that the space radially inwards of the helical pathway is substantially unobstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Continental Conveyor Ltd.
    Inventors: Alan Coxon, Norman Charles Hadley, John Pattison
  • Patent number: 6145653
    Abstract: A conveyor system comprises a pair of side-by-side conveyors adapted to move articles such as baggage or cargo in opposite directions simultaneously, preferably at the same elevation, and linked together by an endless belt. The endless belt is directed from the exit of one conveyor to the entrance of the other conveyor and from the exit of the other conveyor to the entrance of the one conveyor via a pair of conveyor twist assemblies which maintain the baggage carrying surface in an upward orientation on both conveyors. The twist assemblies can employ vertical or horizontal rolls to attain the direction change of the endless belt. Staggered idler rolls can be arranged beneath the two conveyors for belt support and reduction of vibration caused by belt travel. The side-by-side conveyor system is particularly useful in multiple stacked arrangements in tunnels for airports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Jervis B. Webb Company
    Inventor: William A. Mensch
  • Patent number: 6053307
    Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a running direction changing and guiding apparatus for a conveyor belt which can change a running direction of a conveyor belt having a concave portion formed on a transferring surface of the conveyor belt by only one conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuya Honda
  • Patent number: 6021889
    Abstract: A conveyor for an endless, closed-loop conveyor belt (1), which is flexible transverse to its extension, has a guide (11) keeping conveyor belt on a substantially rectilinear main path (3) and on a generally perpendicular branch. A branch device (9) is movable along the main path. There the belt takes two branch paths (19, 20), both parallel with a branch line (26) which is generally transverse to the main path. The branch device (9) comprises two first deflection rollers (14, 23), which are offset in opposite directions laterally from the main path (3). The axes of the two deflection rollers are each perpendicular to a respective deflection plane. Each deflection plance passes through the center of the respective deflection rollers and intersects the main path and the respective branch paths (19, 20) at respective distances from the deflection rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Conveytech Holding AB
    Inventor: Lennart Tingskog
  • Patent number: 5823526
    Abstract: Sheet delivery for a sheet-fed printing press having gripper systems arranged on conveyor chains or toothed belts revolvingly guided and driven by guide wheels, the gripper systems being activatable by a locally fixed control member for gripping sheets individually at respective leading edges thereof and for releasing the sheets in vicinity of a sheet pile, and including guideways for slidingly guiding the conveyor chains, includes rollers with roller bearings fastened to the conveyor chains or toothed belts, the rollers, in regions of increased load, being movable into separate roller guides arranged on a frame of the printing press, for transmitting to the printing-press frame forces which act upon the conveyor chains or toothed belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael Voge, Roland Hirth, Gerhard Pollich
  • Patent number: 5743379
    Abstract: A feed/discharge insert for transporting goods at an acute angle with respect to a main conveyor belt. The insert includes an endless loop conveyor belt having an upper segment and a lower segment. Two rigid deflection bars are positioned one above the other parallel to the main conveyor belt. The two bare are solid with a polygonal, or preferably hexagonal, cross-sections. The upper and lower segments are guided and deflected about the two rigid bars. The endless loop conveyor belt is looped around a cylindrical drive drum of a belt drive. The endless loop conveyor belt contacts the drive drum about at least 180.degree. of its circumference. An adjustable deflection roller is used to vary the degree of contact between the endless loop conveyor belt and the drive drum. The invention also comprises a central station for limiting the lateral run-off of the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Transnorm System GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Warnecke
  • Patent number: 5725783
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for concentrating a liquid suspension of solid particles are disclosed including providing a screening web moving in an endless path, folding the screening web into a tubular configuration at a first location along that path, unfolding the screening web from that tubular configuration at a second location along that path, introducing the liquid suspension into the tubular configuration of the screening web proximate to the first location so that liquid can pass outwardly through the tubular configuration of the screening web and a concentrate of the solid particles can be formed therein, and removing the concentrate from the screening web proximate to the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Sunds Defibrator Industries Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Ebbe Hoden
  • Patent number: 5520824
    Abstract: The solid content and liquid content in a solid-liquid substance can be separated continuously at a high solid-liquid separation ratio by: causing a looped filter cloth member to travel, the filter cloth member being wound at least once around a wringing roller, and having a twisted portion at which the filter cloth member is twisted at least once and wound around the wringing roller; inducing a primary rotary motion of the wringing roller in a direction in which the filter cloth member travels; inducing secondary rotary motion of the wringing roller in a direction in which the filter cloth member is twisted upstream with respect to the wringing roller; and supplying a solid-liquid substance to an upstream portion of the filter cloth member with respect to the wringing roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Kaneto Shoji Co.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5431289
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting and aligning articles to be sorted in an automated bulk processing system is disclosed. The conveyor comprises one or more product-carrying lanes, each lane comprising two side belts separated by a central product-carrying belt. Each of the side belts is raised with respect to the product-carrying belt, thereby guiding articles on to the product-carrying belt. In a preferred embodiment, the product-carrying belt has two product-carrying surfaces and is provided with a 180.degree. lengthwise twist whereby the product-carrying surfaces are alternately presented on the upper surface of the conveyor system for each complete belt travel cycle. The 180.degree. lengthwise twist is maintained in position by a belt guide or comb located on the underside of the conveyor system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Simco/Ramic Corporation
    Inventor: Philip L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 5421449
    Abstract: In an angle station for lateral angular displacement of an endless conveyor belt in a conveyor system, the angle station comprises a belt guide in the form of a plurality of large diameter guide rollers mounted in support brackets on a support structure with the rollers substantially clear of the support structure. The guide rollers are generally elongate and arranged substantially normal to a substantially helical pathway for the belt around the belt guide. The guide rollers are disposed in axially and laterally, closely spaced relation, so as to define a generally continuous support for a conveyor belt in use of the angle station, which support is substantially non-angular in cross-section along the helical pathway. A roller support bracket is provided for use in the angle station as well as a guide roller unit including a guide roller mounted in such bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Huwood International Limited
    Inventor: Alan Coxon
  • Patent number: 5400898
    Abstract: A conveying system has at least two equidistant conveyor chains. In order that the chain links of the conveyor chains also move synchronously on conveying path portions in which the radii of curvature of the individual chain paths differ from one another, the chain link spacings can be adapted by corresponding control means to the ratio of the radii of curvature of the individual chain paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Bruno Weber