Modular pneumatic accumulation conveyor and method
US5429225A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 4, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 4, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2203/042
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An accumulation conveyor includes a product sensor that is positioned along the conveyor at a particular zone for sensing the presence of product at that zone and for causing actuation of the zone upstream of that product sensor with respect to product movement along the accumulation conveyor. The product sensor includes an arm that is selectively positioned in the path of product being conveyed, a switch having an actuation member juxtaposed with the arm, and a force-producing member responsive to actuation of the downstream zone actuator in order to apply a force to the switch and, in turn, retract the sensor. This may be accomplished by physically locating the product sensor within the downstream zone and providing an actuator for that downstream zone that is mechanically coupled to the product sensor physically located within that zone. When the actuator is actuated, it retracts the product sensor from the path of movement of product along the accumulation conveyor concurrently with actuation of the downstream zone. The switch may be selectively mounted either to a stationary member or to the downstream actuator. If the switch is mounted to the stationary member, the associated…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.