Product accumulator
US5282525A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 6, 1992 |
| Grant date | Feb 1, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 6, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0244
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An article accumulator utilized between a product infeed line and a discharge conveyer feeds articles from the infeed to the discharge conveyer in a single, continuous line. The accumulator includes a wide horizontal moving conveyer belt that accumulates articles in the event of a backup at the discharge end. A slow moving flexible guide belt located just above the conveyer belt and angled toward the discharge conveyer engages the sides of the articles and helps to move them toward the discharge conveyer. In the event that a substantial number of articles accumulate on the accumulator conveyer belt, these articles push sideways on the guide belt forcing it rearwardly behind a guide rail that runs along the length of the guide belt. The articles then engage the guide rail and are less influenced by the movement of the guide belt. This arrangement helps to ensure that the articles that are first placed on the conveyer belt tend to be the first articles to be discharged.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.