Tape drive conveyor system with twisted conformation
US5791451A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A flexible drive tape conveyor system for conveying items between at least two spaced apart stations includes a carrier member and at least one tape guide track having a tape guide. The drive tape is substantially inflexible in a direction transverse to its width, and is at least partially housed in the tape guide. At least a portion of a tape guide track and tape guide are twisted about their longitudinal axis so that the drive tape and its affected carrier member can be turned in a direction transverse to the width of the drive tape. A drive mechanism is used to selectively reciprocate the drive tape and the carrier member between the spaced apart stations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.