Conveyor system having inclined structure utilizing vacuum and air bearing means for facilitating edgewise product transportation
US6808358B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 12, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65H2701/1916
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An article or mail-piece conveyor system comprises a conveyor mechanism which has a substantially horizontally oriented product transportation surface upon which the articles can be conveyed in an upstanding mode as a result of the articles effectively being supported upon lower edge portions thereof, and an inclined surface against which the major or primary surface portions of each article is supported so as to permit the articles to be readily and easily conveyed by means of the horizontally oriented product transportation surface. Vacuum plenum chambers are fluidically connected to the inclined surface so as to withdraw ambient air from the article transportation path and thereby maintain the articles attracted to the inclined surface of the product transportation system, and in addition, positive air plenum chambers are also fluidically connected to the inclined surface so as to provide air to the article transportation path so as to effectively form an air bearing structure for the articles so as to facilitate the smooth and easy transportation of the articles along the transportation flow path in a relatively frictionless manner. Air discharge ports also facilitate the routi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.