Selective conveying of unstable articles having a neck ring
US6736573B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 18, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 30, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0247
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A selective conveying device is disclosed for conveying unstable articles, such as plastic bottles, having a neck portion with a neck ring thereon. Neck ring supported unstable articles are conveyed in single file along an article conveying path established by first and second guide units with the guide units having spaced connectors with neck ring engagable elements thereon spaced different distances from one another to receive the neck portions of unstable articles having different size neck portions. A first actuator, such as a pneumatic or mechanical actuator, causes relative movement between the guide units so that unstable articles are conveyed along the article conveying path on the neck ring engagable portions of the first guide unit when in a first operating position or are conveyed along the article conveying path on the neck ring engagable portions of the second guide unit when in a second operating position. The unstable articles are urged along the article conveying path by a second actuator, such as an air conveyor and/or a movable belt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.