Pusher Conveyor And Separate Load Support Surface Patents (Class 198/717)
  • Publication number: 20150008099
    Abstract: A transport section of a horizontal conveyor device for conveying articles moved along in a standing or hanging position on a transport support surface extending in a horizontal conveying direction between two guide elements arranged approximately in parallel to each other and spaced from each other at a distance corresponding to at least the article or container width. At least one of the two guide elements arranged facing each other is adjustable in its distance to the other of the guide elements and transverse to the conveying direction via several adjustment elements attached to a machine frame or base frame. The adjustment elements are coupled with each other via a common rotary drive and are approximately synchronized and each adjustment element transmits a rotatory drive of the common rotary drive via one or more transmissions to a linear adjustment movement of the guide element linked to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Johann Huettner, Martin Seger, Peter Muehlstein
  • Publication number: 20140357145
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaged hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesive comprising a hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesive composition and a coextrusion coating consisting of neat low density polyethylene, neat polypropylene, or neat ethylene vinyl acetate. The present invention further relates to the use of the packaged adhesive formed as individual forms in an adhesive application process, and the use of the packaged adhesive in the production of laminated articles, including nonwoven hygiene articles, disposable medical drapes, and also laminate constructions such as tapes and labels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Peter REMMERS, Nicholas PORRO, Nicholas TAYLOR, Dirk LAUKIEN
  • Publication number: 20140169124
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of flexible impact elements for controlling the buildup of solids in a mixer, submerged flight conveyor, unloader or similar device. The device for use with the impact elements has at least one shaft and a plurality of rotating elements which rotate around a drive sprocket or extend radially from a shaft for moving ash or similar particulate solids. The flexible impact elements communicate with the device so as to limit or control the buildup of solids on the rotating elements, thus enabling a more efficient throughput of materials by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Phillip A. Drennen, Stanley R. Tryba
  • Patent number: 8689966
    Abstract: A device for the elimination of trimmings of rolls or logs of ribbon-like material associated downstream with a shearing machine of at least one roll or log (11), fed by a feeding plane (13) of rolls (10) and head and/or tail rolls (24), consecutively. The device comprises a conveyor group (14) for carrying the rolls (10) and eliminating the head and/or tail rolls (24,24?), wherein the feeding plane (13) comprises rests (15) and the conveyor group (14) comprises flaps (21), both shaped, facing each other and spaced between each other to define central longitudinal openings (16 and 22) for the passage of pushers (17) which allow at least one roll or log (11) to advance; the conveyor group (14) having chains (20) on which flaps (21) are positioned, and having a length of chains (20) without flaps (21) that define a movable opening (23) between adjacent chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Gambini International S.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Gambini
  • Patent number: 8550232
    Abstract: A system for lineally transporting logs, lugs therefore, and an associated method are provided. The system includes first and second tracks connected to a frame to provide continuous track surfaces. Lugs having support surfaces that correspond to the track surfaces are configured to be driven longitudinally along the tracks by a continuous conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Price Logpro LLC
    Inventors: Jim Krauss, Josh Krauss
  • Patent number: 8522959
    Abstract: A cap transfer unit (1) comprising a cap transfer line (8) defining a transfer path (5) from a cap loading area (4) to a cap discharge area (6), and a cap pusher (16) slidingly mounted along the cap transfer line (8), the cap pusher (16) having a rest position in which the cap pusher (16) is spaced from the transfer path (5), and an active position in which the cap pusher (16) overlaps at least partially the transfer path (5) for coming into abutment with caps (2) located therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sidel Participations
    Inventor: Ivano Ceci
  • Patent number: 8480344
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus with a first conveyor and a second conveyor is used a the welding apparatus and a welding method for container bodies and in particular can bodies between which conveyors the object to be welded is handed over. A control unit determines the take over position and/or the conveying travel of the second conveyor and controls the conveyors accordingly, so that the take over occurs at the determined position and/or with the determined conveying travel of the second conveyor. This allows an easy and swift changing of the welding apparatus to different sizes of the objects to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Soudronic AG
    Inventor: Peter Schreiber
  • Patent number: 8459558
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for optically scanning a machine-readable device applied to an object, comprising a transport apparatus for transporting the object in a transport direction, the object being supported on the transport apparatus on an underside, the transport apparatus containing a first transport belt with a first upper strand and a second transport belt with a second upper strand, wherein a gap is formed between the first transport belt and the second transport belt which is arranged ahead of the first transport belt in the transport direction, and comprising a scanning apparatus for scanning the machine-readable marking, wherein the scanning apparatus has at least one scanning element associated with the gap, wherein the first upper strand and the second upper strand are arranged so as to have a height offset relative to each other in such a way that the underside of the object can be scanned by tipping the object when the object is transferred from the first transport belt to the second t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventor: Guenter Baitz
  • Patent number: 8448780
    Abstract: In a system, a carrier includes one or more contact members that come into contact with a paper sheet bundle in which one or more paper sheets are stacked, to push the paper sheet bundle, and the paper sheet bundle is conveyed by the carrier along a conveying path. Suppressing unit that suppresses the paper sheet constituting the paper sheet bundle from passing through a gap existing between a constituent member and the contact members to enter on an inner side of the carrier, the constituent member forming a space of the conveying path, the paper sheet bundle pushed by the carrier coming into contact with the constituent member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, NCR International Inc.
    Inventors: Yasushi Gotoh, Mitsushige Nakao
  • Publication number: 20120325626
    Abstract: A corner assembly for a tube conveyor system comprises a housing defining a wheel receiving area and a flow path with ports at opposite ends of the flow path. A wheel rotatably received in the wheel receiving area comprises a rim having an upper surface and a lower surface; a pair of spaced apart channels formed in at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the rim; and at least one flapper pivotally mounted to the wheel inside of the rim. The flapper is freely movable between a position in which it is aligned with a wall of one of the channels and a position in which it is aligned with a wall of the other of the channels. Thus, when the wheel rotates, the flapper will sweep any material in the wheel receiving area towards and through one of the channels and into the flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: THE GSI GROUP, LLC
    Inventor: Brad Eversole
  • Patent number: 8235202
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus with a first conveyor and a second conveyor is used a the welding apparatus and a welding method for container bodies and in particular can bodies between which conveyors the object to be welded is handed over. A control unit determines the take over position and/or the conveying travel of the second conveyor and controls the conveyors accordingly, so that the take over occurs at the determined position and/or with the determined conveying travel of the second conveyor. This allows an easy and swift changing of the welding apparatus to different sizes of the objects to be welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Soudronic AG
    Inventor: Peter Schreiber
  • Publication number: 20120132505
    Abstract: In a system, a carrier includes one or more contact members that come into contact with a paper sheet bundle in which one or more paper sheets are stacked, to push the paper sheet bundle, and the paper sheet bundle is conveyed by the carrier along a conveying path. Suppressing unit that suppresses the paper sheet constituting the paper sheet bundle from passing through a gap existing between a constituent member and the contact members to enter on an inner side of the carrier, the constituent member forming a space of the conveying path, the paper sheet bundle pushed by the carrier coming into contact with the constituent member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Yasushi Gotoh, Mitsushige Nakao
  • Patent number: 8113124
    Abstract: A car wash dolly that uses a single shaft having two camshaft lobes and a series of snap ring grooves. The bolt-less design of the dolly includes a stronger camshaft and minimized component count. The center link and wheels may be mounted directly on the shaft to produce a sturdy design for the dolly. Grooves and snap rings are provided to “lock” wheels in their place on the shaft and to keep wheels physically close to one another to prevent dirt or other debris from getting between the wheels. Optional thrust washers also may be provided between plastic wheels and snap rings to reduce friction between the wheels during operation of the dolly in a car wash facility. The dolly according to the present disclosure is intended to roll, via a conveyor chain, on a slotted track of an auto-laundry system. Because of rules governing Abstracts, this Abstract should not be used to construe the claims in this patent application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel D. Smock, Jeffrey A. Sizer
  • Publication number: 20110304316
    Abstract: A feed device for the automatic shifting of objects is provided. The feed device comprises a storage area or a holding element and a driven feed unit by means of which an object arranged on the storage area or at the holding element of the feed device can be shifted when the feed unit engages at the object, and wherein the feed device includes at least one electronic component which electronically detects a movement of the feed unit. The electronic component is configured such that the covering of a distance by the feed unit during movement of the feed unit is directly detected as an electric pulse and that the covering of respectively predefined distances of the feed unit generates a pulse sequence characteristic for the distances covered by the electronic component having different contact means at which in each case a pulse is generated which is characteristic for the respective contact means when the feed unit has covered a predefined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Applicant: INVENTORY SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Georg Hachmann, Dariusz Kostecki
  • Patent number: 8074785
    Abstract: A device and a method for the optical scanning of a machine-readable label applied to an object are proposed. The device has at least one belt conveyor (1) and one receiving tray, which are located sequentially spaced apart. A scanning device (3) is located between the belt conveyor (1) and the receiving tray. An additional conveyor device (4) is provided close to the belt conveyor (1) and the scanning device (3) which has several carriers (7) running perpendicular to the direction of travel of the belt conveyor (1). Between two carriers (7) there is a space (12) to accommodate an object. The conveying device (4) covers the scanning device (3) completely and the belt conveyor (1) at least partially. An object is placed on the belt conveyor (1) between two carriers (7) with the side carrying the label and taken across the scanning device (3) by the carriers (7). Then the object is taken to the receiving tray by the carriers (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventor: Josef Twiste
  • Publication number: 20110048899
    Abstract: An assembling machine with a feeder is provided. The feeder feeds receiving components into an assembler, where a moveable coupling mechanism couples attaching components to the receiving components. Transporting mechanisms coupled to a plurality of drive trains deliver the receiving components across the feeder table and to the assembler. The transporting mechanisms alternate between a plurality of speeds so as to deliver the receiving components to the assembler such that the moveable coupling mechanism may operate at a continuous, periodic rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Gordon H. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20100108471
    Abstract: A squaring-up device for a package converting line, located between a blank folding section and a folded-blank assembly section. The device has a frame, at least one jogger, having a deployed active position for correcting a geometry of a folded blank, and a drive for transporting the jogger. The squaring-up device includes an effector for moving the jogger from the active position to a retracted inactive position, and vice versa, and control the effector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventor: Philippe VALLEE
  • Publication number: 20100061833
    Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying unit loads, comprising at least one conveyor element, said conveyor element comprising a conveyor for transporting at least two unit loads in a conveying direction, the at least two unit loads being arranged side by side in a direction transverse to the conveying direction and to a storage and retrieval device comprising at least one carrier and a load bearing module, wherein the load bearing module has at least two carriages. A logistics system for storage, retrieval and collation of unit loads, comprising at least a store for storing unit loads, and at least one conveyor system. Moreover, a method of operating a logistics system with at least one storage and retrieval device and/or a conveyor system is disclosed, wherein at the storage and retrieval device and/or the conveyor system at least two unit loads are operated at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Walter Winkler
  • Patent number: 7584837
    Abstract: A transport device having a preferably flat transport element and at least one basic carrier which is mounted on the basic carrier by rollers. At least one article carrier can be mounted. The transport element is driven stops along the transport element allow halting of at least some of the basic carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Arzneimittel GmbH Apotheker Vetter & Co.
    Inventors: Manfred Roether, Franz Riedter
  • Patent number: 7510070
    Abstract: A reciprocating forward-feed device for the clocked linear forward-feed of stacks of goods over a transport path has a double-arm rotatable forward-feed lever with two pushers which operate in a clocked manner. Forward-feed lever and pusher are driven in a controlled manner by means of a four-arbor arrangement with a linear arbor, rotational arbor and pivot arbor for the pushers linked via guide rods and a return swivel arbor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: OPTIMA filling and packaging machines GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Rothbauer
  • Patent number: 7497985
    Abstract: To facilitate a trouble-free charging of scrap metal having differing constitutions, such as light and heavy scrap metal, from a lower discharge opening of a shaft-shaped charging device or a charging stock preheater (1) into a melting vessel by a pusher (13), the lateral surfaces of the pusher (13) are formed so as to converge from the upper side to the lower side and the actuating device (2) of the pusher (13) is pivotably supported in a frame structure (3) about a horizontal axis. In addition, the upper boundary of the discharge opening for the charging stock from the shaft (2) is preferably formed by a horizontal, rotatably supported roller (26), more preferably with engaging elements (30) distributed around the circumferential surface. Sections of the charging device that are severely mechanically stressed are preferably formed by steel billet sections connected to form a structural unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Fuchs Technology AG
    Inventor: Gerhard Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20090050448
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for adjusting a pitch of a buffer tray for receiving semiconductor devices, the buffer tray includes a plurality of pairs of unit buffer trays to receive the semiconductor devices. A first pitch between the pairs of unit buffer trays is adjusted by a first driving section. A second pitch between first unit buffer trays and second unit buffer trays in the pairs is adjusted by a second driving section. The semiconductor devices are transferred between a test tray and a customer tray via the buffer tray having the adjusted pitch in a test handler. Accordingly, the time required to transfer the semiconductor devices may be shortened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Jin-Hwan Lee
  • Publication number: 20080217137
    Abstract: A feeding device for a packaging machine used to feed individual goods to a packaging station of the machine includes at least one continuously rotating conveyor which comprises at least one driver element used to drive the individual goods, which are to be guided, along a conveyor path. The inventive feeder device is embodied in such a manner that, for each conveyor, only one individual driver element can be placed in a driving position of the individual goods which are to be guided at any one time. The device reduces the feeding path of a packaging machine and also increases the position precision of the individual goods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Harald Lenherr, Cyrille Fuellemann
  • Patent number: 7419049
    Abstract: A helical screw conveyor having a helical screw rotatably mounted within a casing and cooperating with a chain of platens to convey objects from one end of the casing to the other end or to selected locations therebetween. A thermodynamic combustion engine is provided having a helical screw rotatably mounted within a casing and cooperating with a platen chain to draw a combustible mixture into the casing, compress the mixture for ignition, and exhaust the burned mixture therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: James D. Henry
  • Publication number: 20080060915
    Abstract: The invention relates to an article conveyor, in particular for airline baggage, comprising a kind of rail track with individual carriers which are connected to one another and, for receiving an article in each case, are provided with a transverse conveyor by means of which the articles resting on the carrier can be moved, in a motor-driven manner, transversely to the transporting direction of the article conveyor. In order to prevent articles from being thrown off accidentally during transportation, in particular over curved sections, it is proposed that the transverse conveyor comprises a chain belt which is flexible in the direction of circulation, is flexurally rigid in the longitudinal direction of the article conveyor and comprises chain-belt links which are connected to one another in an articulated manner on the longitudinal sides of the chain belt and are in the form of strips or narrow plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Kuhn
  • Patent number: 7303063
    Abstract: A sequential stepped movement staging device comprises six legs 70 of equal length extending radially from a central sphere 46 in an X-Y-Z orthogonal relationship. The sphere 46 and legs 70 are held in a horizontally fixed position relative to a support surface 14 by a holder including a primary retaining member 40, a secondary retaining member 74 fixed in superposition to the primary retaining member 40, and an alignment cylinder 84. The secondary retaining member 74 is slidably disposed in the alignment cylinder 84 to allow for vertical movement of the sphere 46, legs 70, and retaining members 40, 74. One of six actuating rods 94 pushes down on one of three upwardly extending legs 70H thereby rotating the sphere 46 and causing two of three downwardly descending legs 70L to move a work surface 16 capable of horizontal sliding movement over the support surface 14 from a first position to a second position. In one embodiment of the invention shown in FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Franklin D. Neu
  • Patent number: 7124880
    Abstract: A feeding device includes a rail with a feeding unit and a pushing unit located on two sides of the rail. The feeding unit has a transverse member on which the cylindrical pieces are located and a pivotable arm pivotably connected to the transverse member to push the cylindrical pieces. The pushing unit has at least one connection member connected to the rail and a slot is defined through the connection member. A pushing member is pivotably connected to the connection member and a bolt extends through the pushing member and the slot so that the pushing member can be pivoted along the second slot when in maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Pro Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Ming Lee
  • Patent number: 6662933
    Abstract: A system for conveying objects (1), which comprises at least one endless transporter (2) able to route the objects (3) along a so-called transportation surface (S), the transporter (2) comprising a plurality of pushers (6) regularly spaced apart, fixed to a movable support (7) for the pushers (6), continuously travelling, in a single direction and periodically along a closed-loop path which extends substantially in a so-called conveying plane (P), perpendicular to the said transportation surface (S) the path being locally contiguous with the transportation surface (S), characterized in that each pusher (6) is mounted so as to be able to move between a so-called inactive position in which the pusher (6) is located at a distance from the transportation surface (S) and does not project therefrom, and a so-called active position in which it projects at least partially from the transportation surface (S) in order to come into engagement with an object (3) and push it along the said surface (S), so that it is possi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Aries Packaging
    Inventors: Pascal De Guglielmo, Alain Cartier, Didier Clerget
  • Publication number: 20030155213
    Abstract: A bi-directional package divert mechanism used for sorting mail and other packages and items into appropriate bins for future delivery. The mechanism includes a downward extending moving mechanism which is capable of moving items into one of two directions, both perpendicular to an original direction of travel. Sensors are provided which detect a position of the moving mechanism, items for moving and monitoring of other systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher J. Tatar, Shane F. Mills
  • Patent number: 6367612
    Abstract: A retractable pusher dog for an overhead power and free conveyor system is provided. The retractable pusher dog comprises a body portion formed from a rectangular cylinder with a spring and pusher member disposed within the cylinder. When a force greater than the static spring force is applied to the pusher member, the pusher member retracts into the body portion thus reducing the overall height of the pusher dog. Due to its self-actuating retraction, the retractable pusher dog of the subject invention requires no modifications to the powered and free rails or to the load trolleys. The retractable pusher dog will prevent jamming of load trolleys by allowing the pusher dog to bypass an off-timed load carrier, introduced from a different powered rail, until it is properly aligned on the main rail. Also, the body plates of the pusher dog facilitates coupling the pusher dog to the drive chain without disassembling the drive chain thus reducing downtime of the conveyor system and labor costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Erie Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventors: Felice Dosso, Larry O'Dell
  • Patent number: 6357578
    Abstract: A system for cleaning the floor of a self-unloading trailer of residual particulate material comprises in combination with moving slats of a typical self-unloading trailer three rails each fashioned to be attached to the top of a slat, and a wedge-shaped sweeper having skates on a lower portion to ride along said rails. The sweeper rides along the rails by means of skate assemblies having pawls which may ratcheting along teeth formed in the rails as the sweeper moves rearwardly in the trailer. A control system sends signals to a motor contained within the sweeper to engage and disengage the pawls, and to a winch to draw the sweeper back to a starting position following operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Edgemount Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventor: David E. Shelby
  • Patent number: 6354783
    Abstract: The system includes a medication-receiving assembly which collects medications automatically dispensed from storage assemblies therefor and a transport assembly for moving the collected medications to a loading assembly, wherein the loading assembly is arranged and positioned so that the medications move by gravity action from an upper end thereof, past a pair of opposing, angled deflectors which are individually controllable and which guide the medications into selected portions of a medication bin in a medication cart, which accommodates medications for a large number of patients, such as all the patients on a hospital ward. Supplemental medications not present in the storage assemblies can be provided with a hand-loaded supplemental doses assembly. The medication cart may then be moved directly to the ward and the bedside of the individual patients in turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: NextRx Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Stoy, Ronald H. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5860244
    Abstract: We provide methods and apparatus for handling sod which includes a washing machine in which the water is recycled and during recycling the soil removed from the sod is delivered for reuse. We also provide a method of delivering and take up of rolls of sod in which the peripheral speed of the roll remains constant regardless of the roll diameter; we display methods of physically working sod to remove soil therefrom and also methods of handling sod by supporting it with a flexible mesh where there is likely to be stress on the sod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: StrathAyr Pty. Limited
    Inventors: Gabriel Casimaty, Gerardus J. Brouwer, Ian Fraser
  • Patent number: 5803098
    Abstract: The vehicle washing installation comprises at least one conveyor chain (1) in the form of a sprocket chain, by means of which the vehicles are moved through the installation, and a plurality of treatment units arranged along the path of movement of the vehicle for washing and optionally drying the vehicle. At least one of the treatment units is mounted in a carrier adapted to move forwards synchronously with the vehicle over a path length and to be moved back by means of a resetting device to its starting position. The carrier can be coupled mechanically to the conveyor chain (1) for the forward movement. The coupling device comprises a coupling member (8) which can be brought into direct engagement with the conveyor chain (1). The coupling member (8) is of comb-like form and comprises a plurality of teeth (8a) spaced in the longitudinal direction (L) of the chain at a distance (b) from one another, with gaps (8b) therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Wesumat Fahrzeugwaschanlagen GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Decker
  • Patent number: 5730061
    Abstract: A guide rail assembly for use with a conveyor of an automatic conveyor car wash. The guide rail assembly is comprised of a main guide rail positioned outside the conveyor proximate the wheel portion of a vehicle, and a lower guide rail extending below and away from the main guide rail toward the conveyor such that the lower guide rail contacts the tire below the wheel portion to maintain a spaced apart relationship between the wheel portion and the main guide rail. The addition of the lower guide rail prevents scratching, marring, or any other structural damage to the wheel portion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Ryko Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Frank L. Stufflebeam
  • Patent number: 5385003
    Abstract: In order to prevent spilling the contents or fracturing a package being filled, a rigid tray is moved into a filling area by pushers in which the pusher is advanced under controlled acceleration and then deceleration for gently stopping the pusher in contact with or in close proximity to a filled tray. A short time delay in movement of the tray is provided and then the pusher is advanced along with the tray moved thereby under a controlled acceleration into a sealing station. The tray is brought under controlled deceleration to stop in the sealing station at a predetermined position where another short time delay is provided in the stop position of the pusher. The pusher is then retracted to a safe position out of the way in order to permit the sealing of the tray without the interference of the pusher while the tray is sealed. The sealed tray is then transferred to an outfeed area and the sequence is repeated for filling and sealing a following tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Mahaffy & Harder Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Henry M. Nixon, Jr., Frank Schell, Keith MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5305871
    Abstract: A package-conveying apparatus, which is useful with a wrapping-machine of a type capable of wrapping a package with stretch film from a roll moving in an annular path, comprises an elongate table with two front ledges, a pair of endless belts for conveying a package toward the ledges, and a pair of package pushers. Each pusher includes a leg with a pivotable foot, a double-acting piston-cylinder mechanism for driving the leg frontwardly and backwardly, and a double-acting piston-cylinder mechanism for pivoting the foot upwardly into an operative position and downwardly into an inoperative position. In the operative position, the foot can engage a package to enable the leg when driven frontwardly to push the package from the endless belts onto and from the ledges. In the inoperative position, the foot clears a package on the endless belts when the leg is driven backwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Philip G. Scherer
  • Patent number: 5199840
    Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes two confrontingly opposed, columnar arrays which define a plurality of vertically spaced tray-receiving recesses. A platform is vertically displaceable along and between the arrays and carries an extraction device operable for withdrawing a selected tray from an array recess onto the platform, and for inserting a tray supported on the platform into a vacant recess in either array. The extraction device includes a pair of rods carried on and for movement longitudinally along the platform, toward and away from the opposed arrays, about opposed continuous-loop drive belts which lie in substantially vertical planes. The rods are releasably engageable, through rotation of the drive belts, within handles provided at and extending longitudinally outwardly from the opposite ends of each tray to enable withdrawal and insertion of the selected tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Inventors: John Castaldi, Fred Greenzang
  • Patent number: 5044877
    Abstract: The magazine has slats for advancing flat articles to an unstacking head. The magazine comprises a first zone into which articles are loaded and along which they are advanced by removable slats, which slats are individually mounted in the first zone, being held and guided therein and also being driven therealong. The magazine also includes a second zone for stocking slats that are not in use, with the second zone being formed adjacent to the unstacking terminal portion of the first zone and being equipped for removing the slats form the first zone, and for transferring the removed slats into a stock of slats. The invention is applicable to separating postal items one by one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale d'Automatisme CGA-HBS
    Inventors: Bernard Constant, Gilbert Del Fabro
  • Patent number: 4873929
    Abstract: A three-axle, "six-wheel" pusher unit for a carwash system of the type wherein an endless chain moves under a slotted track. The pusher employs a straight bar which can project out of the track, with the track-contacting rollers positioned at the end of the bar and the wire-engaging rollers positioned at an intermediate position. The tire-contacting rollers are formed without internal inletting or open volumes and held in place by button-headed bolts and washers. The under-track forward rollers are secured to a removable axle which is held in a sleeve welded to the end of the bar. This axle is secured by means of a machine screw through the axle and sleeve and nut outside the sleeve. The head of the machine screw is smaller than the hole in the sleeve into which it fits, so as to bear against the axle and hold it tight against the opposite inner surface of the sleeve. In a second embodiment, a hollow rectilinear and tubular bar is employed with the third axle received through side holes and similarly secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: Frank J. Witecki
  • Patent number: 4003477
    Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding process is provided for the transfer of a roll from the roll-up location of a rewinding machine to a storage location thereof. The transfer apparatus applies pressure against the circumference of the roll at its roll-up location for pressing the roll against its base while transferring the roll at a predetermined speed to the storage location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1977
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Goebel, GmbH
    Inventor: Dietmar Kroppenstedt
  • Patent number: 3993188
    Abstract: A transporting arrangement for delivering products which are deposited at a first cycle at one end of an endless conveyor at a second higher cycle from the other end thereof. The arrangement includes an endless conveyor having an upper run moving at a first speed onto which the products to be transported are placed uniformly spaced from each other and a first chain having a run parallel to the upper run and movable in the same direction and at the same speed as the upper run. A second chain, driven at a higher speed than the first speed, carries on a run parallel to the upper run a plurality of entrainment members, each movable from a rest to an operating position, and moved to the latter position when the respective entrainment member overtakes one of a plurality of actuating means fixed equally spaced from each other to the first chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1976
    Assignee: Grapha-Holding AG
    Inventor: Hans Muller