Differential drive spiral accumulator apparatus
US7032742B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 2, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G47/5131
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Various designs of a spiral accumulator apparatus are disclosed for controlling the flow of articles. The accumulator may have an infeed conveyor driven in a first direction to convey articles therealong in the first direction along a first path that is at least partially curved, and an outfeed conveyor driven in an opposite direction to convey articles therealong in the opposite direction along a second path that is at least partially curved. The infeed and outfeed conveyors may be spaced apart and generally parallel along at least a portion of the first and second paths so as to define a space therebetween. A movable transport member may be disposed generally across and movable along the space, and an article transfer member may be carried by the transport member and operably disposed between the infeed and outfeed conveyors to transfer articles between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. A transport member mover may be connected to the transport member. A differential drive mechanism may be located at a fixed position spaced from the transport member, the differential drive mechanism including an output portion for contacting and moving the transport member mover when …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.