Article conveyance having line and/or spacing adjustment
US6523670B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/848
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Conveying apparatus and method are disclosed for receiving articles, such as cans, adjusting, or rearranging, the received articles between single and multiple lines during conveyance, and/or adjusting the spacing between the articles so that the articles are spaced from one another a preselected distance, including, if needed, equal spacing between the articles in the single and multiple lines. Rearrangement of the articles in single to multiple line mode (or, alternately, in multiple to single line mode) and/or control of spacing of the articles are/is effected by conveyance of the articles to and between a plurality of article actuators, each including a rotatable disk having negative pressure thereat for selectively establishing and maintaining engagement of the articles with the peripheral portions of the disks. The apparatus and method are also useful in conveying articles in article non-contact relationship with handling of the articles and line and/or spacing adjustment being effected within a limited area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.