Apparatus and methods for high speed conveyor switching

Details Apparatus and methods for high speed conveyor switching Apparatus and methods for high speed conveyor switching

2007-07-31

2007-07-31

Bidwell, James R. (Department: 3651)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor arrangement for selecting among plural sources or...

By loading or unloading section at selected one of a...

C198S779000

Reexamination Certificate

active

11237621

ABSTRACT:
Disclosed are conveyors and methods for making and using a conveyor. In some embodiments, the conveyor comprises a modular conveyor belt that includes at least one mat-top chain having at least one cavity and at least one first roller disposed in the cavity of the mat-top chain. The conveyor further includes a longitudinal second roller that operatively couples to the first roller such that the longitudinal second roller and the first roller are rotating as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller. In another embodiment, the method for making a conveyor may comprise the steps of linking a plurality of mat-top chains together to form a modular conveyor belt; disposing a first roller into a cavity of the mat-top chain; and placing a longitudinal second roller underneath the conveyor belt such that as the conveyor belt travels along the longitudinal second roller, the first roller operatively couples to the longitudinal second roller causing the second roller and the first roller to rotate. In another embodiment, the conveyor includes rollers in alternating directions for selectively switching conveyor objects in a plurality of directions. In another embodiment, a plurality of modular conveyor belts is configured such that individual conveyor belts divert objects in different directions.

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