Surge control method and apparatus
US4989718A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 23, 1989 |
| Grant date | Feb 5, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 23, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0211
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Surge control apparatus and corresponding method are particularly adapted for the safe handling of highly crushable and/or tearable products, such as paper-based box type aseptic packages. A flow of products along a conveyor exiting an accumulator is held until previously released products have progressed a predetermined distance down the conveyor towards a subsequent workstation, such as a packer. If a product queue occurs within the accumulator, the upstream flow of packages is halted, and the queued products are shifted relatively slightly downstream against a movable locator mechanism. Such stopping and shifting isolates from production line pressures the packages to be removed from the conveyor. Through such isolation. adjacent package shear points are prevented as a vertically-oriented conveyor mechanism is used for removal and subsequent return of packages relative the conveyor. A movable transfer plate is manipulated in a position just lateral of the conveyor to facilitate alternate removal and return of packages relative thereto without tearing of package paper coverings. Maintenance of a predetermined downstream product gap facilitates placement of the locator mechanism. …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.