Patent · US Expired

Container turning device

US5924549A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
8References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 23, 1998
Grant dateJul 20, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 23, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G47/244
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A container turning device comprising a conveyor section equipped with a turning ramp. The conveyor section is typically curved and powered by drive means including a drive motor, drive chains, and an internal drive conveyor. Wrapped about the drive conveyor is a frusto-conical conveyor belt that is preferably smooth-surfaced and composed of vulcanized rubber. The container turning ramp is substantially thin and is mounted to the curved conveyor section along an inner side of the section adjacent its entrance end. In a preferred arrangement, the turning ramp is provided with a substantially circular stop bumper that is rotatably mounted to the turning ramp adjacent its rear edge. The ramp is secured to the conveyor section such that the front edge of the turning ramp is positioned adjacent the entrance end of the conveyor section and just below the surface of the conveyor belt. In operation, a container traveling in a lengthwise configuration will engage both the conveyor belt and the turning ramp simultaneously. As the container continues its forward travel, an inner side portion of the container is urged upwardly along the ramp, lifting the container above the conveyor belt surfa…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.