Conveyor induct system

Details Conveyor induct system Conveyor induct system

2003-10-06

2009-12-15

Hess, Douglas A (Department: 3651)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor system for arranging or rearranging stream of items

By longitudinally respacing successive articles in stream

C198S460300

Reexamination Certificate

active

07631747

ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for controlling gaps between articles traveling on a conveyor system includes providing a plurality of tandem conveying surfaces defining a series of sequentially arranged conveying surface interfaces. At least one of the conveying surfaces associated with each of said conveying surface interfaces is an adjustable-speed conveying surface. At least one article sensor is provided adjacent at least one of the conveying surface interfaces. The article sensor provides information on positions of the articles. The speeds of the tandem conveying surfaces are controlled in a manner that establishes controlled gaps between articles, by identifying a controllable gap that can be adjusted between articles at a particular conveying surface interface and adjusting the controllable gap at the particular conveying surface interface. The control adjusts the controllable gap by adjusting the speed of the adjustable speed conveying surface associated with the particular conveying surface interface using a feedback controller. Gaps between articles are sequentially adjusted at the series of sequentially arranged conveying surface interfaces.

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