Package-culling conveyor system and method
US8528742B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 2011 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65G59/02
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A package-culling conveyor system and a method for culling flat packages from a bulk flow of flat and non-flat packages. The conveyor system includes a tilted conveyor belt that conveys flat packages along its length while non-flat packages tumble off its lower side edge to initially cull flat packages from a bulk flow of packages. Retention means, such as a high-friction outer conveying surface or a raised barrier along the length of the outer conveying surface of the tilted conveyor belt, holds flat packages on the tilted conveyor belt. The initially separated packages are more fully culled in a conveyor comprising a roller conveyor belt with package-supporting belt rollers rotated in a direction to push packages sidewise toward a culling element that extends along the length of the roller conveyor belt. Examples of culling elements include powered rollers and vertical walls forming side guards. The powered roller lifts the contact side of non-flat packages to free flat packages underneath. The belt rollers push the flat packages under the culling elements and off the side of the roller belt. The culling elements block the non-flat packages from exiting laterally off the side of …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.