In-line processing of flat objects
US6338479B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 15, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H29/66
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In the in-line processing of flat objects (S1-S7), the flat objects (S1-S7) are fed from a device (4) and serially transferred to a downstream system (5). In the system (5) the objects (S1-S7) are transported and, if necessary, temporarily collected. The temporary collection of specimens of the objects (S1-S7) occurs in a configuration with a pitch in the direction of transport which is smaller than the dimensions in the direction of transport of the objects (S1-S7) in question. Then collected objects (S1-S7) are moved away from each other, from that configuration, and further transported with mutual interspaces. Because the flat objects (S1-S7) are stored with a pitch less than the size in the direction of transport, a large number of objects (S1-S7) can be collected in a buffer portion (34, 35; 134; 234) of a small length. Because the objects (S1-S7) are stored with a pitch in the direction of transport, however, they can be readily moved away from each other.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.