Method and apparatus for feeding and forming a single row of containers along a conveyor
US6328151A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/683
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for combining randomly oriented containers on a conveyor into single file. The apparatus includes a pressureless combining conveyor having at least two or more conveyor sections adjacent to one another, and angled about the axis of a guide rail. The substantially linear guide rail extends at an angle across the combining conveyor. The guide rail is constructed such that the lower part of a container which starts to fall toward the guide rail contacts the guide rail first, then tilts toward the guide rail, touching the guide rail at a height of the container near the center of gravity of the container, and then returning to its stable position. The container's center of gravity always remains within its stability region. The apparatus includes an input conveyor to supply a plurality of containers having no specific orientation, and an input guide rail section to guide moving containers to one side of the input conveyor. An output conveyor is aligned adjacent to the combining conveyor section for outputting a single-file line of containers and an ejector may be positioned along the output conveyor section to eject fallen containers …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.