Apparatus for controlling the flow of articles
US6230874A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 15, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling the flow of articles between a first conveyor driven in a first direction and a second conveyor driven in a second direction includes a movable transport member disposed across and movable along a space between the conveyors. The transport member includes a drive member drivingly engaged simultaneously by the first and second conveyors so as to rotate if either of the conveyors is moving and to travel linearly along the space between the conveyors if a relative speed difference exists between the conveyors. The transport member includes an article transfer device or member disposed so as to contact and transfer articles from the first conveyor to the second conveyor along a transfer path. The article transfer member includes an endless drive belt disposed along the transfer path so as to contact and move the articles therealong. The drive belt runs in an endless path between the drive member and the article transfer member and is drivingly engaged by a belt drive wheel that is driven by the drive member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.