Apparatus and method for controlling suspended articles in an air conveyor
US6685401B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2001 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G51/035
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The air conveyor comprises a guide rail (3) on which the articles (1) are to be suspended, and along which the articles are to be transported in a given direction of transport. The conveyor system provides a pneumatic means to move the articles in the direction of transport and further includes additional pneumatic means (10) that are designed to generate, when operated, a plurality of reverse air jets orientated onto the articles in a direction opposite that of their direction of transport. The user of the reverse jets makes it possible, in particular, to free without manual intervention articles accidentally immobilised in the course of transport, or, to slow down, immobilise or impart a rhythm to the articles as they are transported.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.