Methods and apparatus for conveying packages in a manner minimizing jams
US5222586A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/256
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A conveying junction includes upstream and downstream conveyors, and an intermediate conveyor which transfers packages from the upstream conveyor to the downstream conveyor. A drop-off zone is located adjacent an outer edge of the intermediate conveyor. The upstream conveyor has a greater width than each of the downstream and intermediate conveyors, and the width of the intermediate conveyor is less than one-half the width of the downstream conveyor. This tends to ensure that the downstream conveyor receives only packages arranged in single file and having a width less than the width of the downstream conveyor, in order to minimize the risk of jams occurring in downstream turns of the conveyor system. A driven roller can be disposed adjacent and below the outer edge of the intermediate conveyor to accelerate the discharge of the packages.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.