Conveyors: power-driven – Conveying system having plural power-driven conveying sections – With relatively adjustable sections
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-28
2001-12-18
Bidwell, James R. (Department: 3651)
Conveyors: power-driven
Conveying system having plural power-driven conveying sections
With relatively adjustable sections
C198S812000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06330940
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a conveyor.
In particular, the present invention relates to a conveyor comprising a flexible member looped about at least two pulleys and having at least two conveying branches, a first of which may be operated, for example, continuously and uniformly, and a second of which may be operated, for example, intermittently.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conveyors of the above type are used on automatic machines, and in particular on product packing machines to transfer products between an intermittently-operated and a continuously-operated portion of the machine.
U.S. Pat. No, 4,735,032 relates to a conveyor of the above type, wherein a chain is looped about a number of pulleys, comprises equally spaced seats for receiving groups of cigarettes, and is powered by a drive pulley. The conveyor comprises one branch extending between two pulleys and operated intermittently, and a series of further branches extending between said two pulleys and operated continuously and uniformly. The two pulleys, which separate the intermittent branch from the continuous further branches, are fitted to respective slides engaging respective guides parallel to the intermittent branch, and are moved reciprocatingly in the same direction along the slides by means of a reciprocating connecting rod.
The laws of motion governing operation of the drive pulley and the connecting rod are so determined that said one branch is operated intermittently, i.e. has a succession of instants in which the branch is stopped, and the further branches are operated continuously and uniformly.
While theoretically ensuring correct operation of both the intermittent branch and the further continuous branches, the above conveyor, in actual use, has several drawbacks on account of the type of mechanism used to transmit reciprocating motion to the pulleys. That is, on the one hand, using slides and guides to guide the pulleys along respective straight courses generates considerable friction, thus resulting in wear and inaccuracy; and, on the other, seeing as most of the members for transmitting said reciprocating motion are themselves reciprocating members, the conveyor is subject to severe vibration.
Such drawbacks make the conveyor practically unusable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveyor of the above type, designed to eliminate the aforementioned drawbacks.
According to the present invention, there is provided a conveyor for transferring products and comprising a flexible member looped about at least a first and a second pulley and in turn having at least a first and a second conveying branch, said first branch extending between said first and said second pulley in a given direction; and an actuating device for activating said first and said second pulley to impart to the first and the second pulley a concordant reciprocating motion in said direction according to a first law of motion; said flexible member being fed about said first and said second pulley according to a second law of motion; and said conveyor being characterized in that said actuating device comprises balance masses.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2740301 (1956-04-01), Gartner
patent: 2932376 (1960-04-01), Millington
patent: 4018325 (1977-04-01), Rejsa
patent: 5611418 (1997-03-01), Helmstetter
patent: 5960927 (1999-10-01), Bahr
patent: 3320074 (1984-12-01), None
Derwent English Abstract of DE 3320074 dated: Dec. 6, 1984.
Chironis N.P.: “Mechanisms, Linkages and Mechanical Controls. ” (1965) McGraw-Hill Book Company N.Y., N.Y. pp 78-79 (XP002114025).
Bidwell James R.
G.D Societa' Per Azioni
Ladas & Parry
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