Retractable transfer device metering and product arranging and loading apparatus and methods
US6793064B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 12, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G2201/0244
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Product is conveyed as a continuous stream by a meter conveyor (12) unto a transfer plate (32) and a transfer device (42). The transfer device (42) is movable between a retracted position and an extended position extending over a sweep conveyor (22). In a preferred form, the transfer device (42) is in the form of a thin piece of flexible material and is moved in the conveying direction from the retracted position to the extended position by engaging with the sweep conveyor (22) and is moved to the retracted position by being wrapped around a rotated roller (46). Product is transferred from the transfer device (42) to the sweep conveyor (22) as the transfer device (42) moves from the extended position to the retracted position and is engaged by a metering bar (52ba) which controls the product acceleration on the sweep conveyor (22) to match the meter conveyor (12) until the product group leaves the transfer device (42). With nested product, the leading edge of the transfer device (42) can be scalloped to represent the product bottom leading edge. Alternatively, nestable product is conveyed by the meter conveyor (12) through a guide rail unit (82) including an infeed portion (84) for…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.