Zero pressure accumulating conveyor and method
US4174777A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 24, 1978 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/261
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A zero pressure accumulating conveyor is provided from a standard belt driven live roller section and "bolt-on" accumulating elements. The accumulator includes a plurality of accumulation zones, each zone having an article sensing apparatus and frictional braking apparatus for braking at least one roller, and preferably less than all rollers, in the zone. Each sensing apparatus includes a first valve, actuated in response to an article in the respective zone for pressurizing the brake apparatus. All zones, except the downstream-most zone, have second valves. The second valves, in a respective zone, are opened in response to actuation of the first valve, in the immediate downstream zone, for passing the pressurized air from the first valve in the respective zone to the brake apparatus in the respective zone only when an article is sensed in the immediate downstream zone, and a subsequent article is sensed in the respective zone. The drive belt is in direct continuous engagement with the rollers, even during operation of the braking apparatus. The valves, the sensing apparatus, and the braking apparatus are attached to a standard belt driven live roller conveyor by means of brackets,…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.