Apparatus and method for separating adjacent objects on a conveyor
US6273238A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 14, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 14, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/31
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for separating and accelerating adjacent objects on a conveyor, which does not interpose fingers, fixtures, escapements, or the like, between the objects. The apparatus uses two adjacent sideflexing conveyors traveling, at least in part, in a curved path. Separation and acceleration of the objects is accomplished by taking advantage of the increase in velocity at the margin of the conveyor in relation to the pitch line speed where the conveyor travels in a curved path. The objects are transferred from the higher speed margin of one conveyor to the low speed margin of the other, faster, conveyor, at the curve.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.