Apparatus for rotating a flat article through a desired angular orientation
US5535999A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 1994 |
| Grant date | Jul 16, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 11, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2301/33216
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A device for simultaneously rotating and translating a flat article comprises a flat, low-friction table surface and a plurality of conveyor-driven platens. Each platen frictionally engages an article and transports it linearly along the table surface. Simultaneously, a cam slowly rotates the platen, and with it, the article, through a predefined angular displacement, such as 90 degrees. The conveyer drive is implemented as a spaced pair of continuous chain loops supported by sprockets. The platens include a rotatable platen component supported by a structural carriage. Each carriage is connected to the chains at two positions. The front connection is rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the carriage, but is otherwise fixed. The rear connection is both rotatable and slidable. The slidable rear connection accommodates necessary variations in linear distance between the front and rear connections as they follow the chain around a sprocket. In addition, a platen-supporting member of the carriage forms an interior chord across a portion of the sprocket.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.