Patent · US Active

Inverting vacuum conveyor system

US9254968B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
7References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 5, 2014
Grant dateFeb 9, 2016
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 5, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB65G2201/0252
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A conveyor system includes an elongated vacuum plenum having an interior defined between upwardly and downwardly facing surfaces between opposing ends. A slot defining a portion of a conveyor path is formed in the plenum and extends from one end of the plenum at the upwardly facing surface toward the other end and the downwardly facing surface. A plurality of conveyor modules forming part of an endless loop are received in the slot and move along the conveyor path. At least some of the modules have at least one opening in fluid communication with the interior of the plenum. An object disposed on at least one of the modules is held against the at least one module by a vacuum in the interior of the plenum as the at least one module moves along the conveyor path from the upwardly facing surface toward the downwardly facing surface.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.