Patent · US Expired

SMM (half tray) tray orientation device

US6290053A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
6References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 7, 2000
Grant dateSep 18, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 7, 2020

Classification

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

Abstract

A conveyor for moving trays in a longitudinal direction and a position correcting device for the trays. The trays have opening in two opposite walls but do not have such openings in two other opposing walls. The conveyor is arranged to convey trays along a longitudinal path. A tray rotating arm is positioned adjacent to the conveyor and has a tray handle engaging finger and is constructed and arranged to only engage a tray handle when the tray is in an incorrect orthogonal position. There is also a bumper downstream of the arm for engaging the side of a tray so rotated for completing the tray rotation initiated by the tray rotating arm. The arm has a cam surface for being moved by a tray away from such tray on the conveyor, and the arm is biased toward contact with a tray as it moves past the arm on the conveyor. The finger projects in the same direction as the cam surface.

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