Variable speed conveying apparatus
US5878865A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 15, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 15, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G23/30
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Variable speed conveying apparatus includes a conveyor (16) having a plurality of conveying surfaces (18) for engaging a stream (10) of articles along a path, and elements for progressively changing the speed of the surfaces as they progress along the path. The conveyor may include a series of pivotally interconnected links (18), the angular disposition of the links being controlled as they move along the path. Typically the conveyor may be used for changing the height of a multi-layer stream of rod-like articles such as cigarettes. Similar conveyor arrangements may be used to convey articles or people by providing slats (322,324) carried by conveyor links (318) or by providing independently-controllable carrier members (218) movable on an endless track (236).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.