Retractable transfer device metering apparatus and methods
US6843360B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 27, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 27, 2022 |
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) is scalloped to represent the product bottom leading edge.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.