Helical conveyor/accumulator
US5070999A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1990 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2207/24
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A helical conveyor/accumulator includes a side flexing track wound in a helical pattern around a rotary drum. The drum includes longitudinal grooves that carry articles along the helically disposed track as the drum rotates. The grooves have article engaging ribs that cooperate to move the articles for feeding while allowing the article to be spaced from the ribs for accumulation. The side flexing track includes modular links coupled together by connecting rods. The track is supported around the drum by helical coils disposed at the inner edge and the outer edge of the track and support rods passing through the links and clamped to a frame. Articles are fed until stopped by a gate, and then when the gate is opened articles seat in successive grooves in the drum for metered or controlled discharge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.