Conveyors: power-driven – Conveyor for changing attitude of item relative to conveyed... – For inverting successive items
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-30
2001-04-03
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3652)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveyor for changing attitude of item relative to conveyed...
For inverting successive items
C198S408000, C198S801000, C198S802000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209704
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for transporting and reorienting items between two locations. More specifically, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for transporting and reorienting one or more cases of cartons from an unload station to a cartoner magazine conveyor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many manufacturing environments, items need to be transported and reoriented from a first location to a second location. Such a transfer usually requires high repetition and can be manually intensive. In addition, transporting and reorienting items can be physically awkward and/or ergonomically taxing. The use of semi or fully automated systems are advantageous in such circumstances, however, many such systems are very expensive and cost prohibitive. In addition, some semi or fully automated systems are so large and complex that they tend to eliminate or obstruct an operators access to the adjacent machinery. This is undesirable. Furthermore, many of the commercially available semi or fully automated systems on the market today tend to be complex in construction, especially those involving robotics, and they require special maintenance personnel to keep them operating properly. The high cost of these commercially available systems prohibit their use where they are really needed. To further complicate matters, some of the automated systems presently in use today actually restrict or prevent increases in production rates because of the way they are built and/or utilized.
What is needed is an efficient, flexible and economical means for transporting and reorienting items between two locations which is constructed such that an operator's access to the equipment located on either side of the transfer mechanism is not obstructed. Furthermore, the equipment should be designed such that it has few moving parts and is inexpensive. It is also advantageous to be able to shut down the equipment without removing it so as to revert back to manual operation if necessary.
Now an apparatus and method for transporting and reorienting items between two locations has been invented which is simple, inexpensive and will not limit production rates. The apparatus and method can also be turned off so that the automatic operation can revert to manual operation without physically removing the equipment. The apparatus can also be easily integrated into very confined areas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for transporting and reorienting items between two locations. The apparatus includes first and second upstanding members each having a first end and a second end. The first and second upstanding members are joined together at the first ends by a third member to form a frame. A track is formed in the first, second and third members which defines a path which spans at least 180 degrees and a set of four sprockets interact with the track. A movable member is positioned within the track and is looped around the set of four sprockets. An integral carrier is secured to the movable member. The integral carrier includes first and second members each having a first end, and a third member affixed to the first ends of the first and second members to form a nonadjustable, approximately C-shaped configuration wherein the first and second members are permanently spaced apart from one another and aligned in a parallel relationship. A power source is provided for driving one of the sprockets. The power source is activated and deactivated by a controller at set time intervals to transport and reorient the integral carrier between the first and second locations.
The method includes the steps of positioning and moving the integral carrier between the first and second locations.
The general object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for transporting and reorienting item between two locations. A more specific object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for transporting and reorienting one or more cases of cartons from an unload station to a cartoner magazine conveyor.
Another object of this invention is to provide a simple apparatus which is inexpensive to build and contains few moving parts for transporting and reorienting item between two locations.
A further object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which is flexible and can be integrated into very confined areas and which can transport and/or reorient items between two locations.
Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for transporting and reorienting item between two locations which also does not restrict an operator from gaining access to the equipment located on either side of and/or in front of the automated apparatus.
Still further, an object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for transporting and reorienting item between two locations which reduces and/or eliminates ergonomic risks to an operator, such as repetitive maneuvers involving lifting, turning, rotating or rearranging items.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings.
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Jobs Dennis Marvin
Long Leslie Thomas
Pauling Paul Kerner
Charlier Patricia A.
Connelly Thomas J.
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
McAllister Steven B.
Olszewski Robert P.
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