Retractable transfer device metering and product arranging apparatus and methods
US6837360B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/841
- 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 c…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.