Conveyors: fluid current – Having means for maintaining load in suspension along flow path – By load supporting jets
Patent
1993-09-02
1995-10-10
Pike, Andrew C.
Conveyors: fluid current
Having means for maintaining load in suspension along flow path
By load supporting jets
226 97, B65G 5103
Patent
active
054565561
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The subject of this invention is a device for transfer of articles by air-flow.
Devices using a directed air-flow to move from one place to another articles (i.e., boxes) having a flat surface used for applying the air-flow are known from the prior art.
These devices are primarily consist of metal chambers. In upper walls of such chambers there are provided regularly distributed oblique-axis orifices or shutters. All such orifices are oriented in the same direction. A fan external to the chambers typically provides air through sheaths. The air escapes through the shutters creating a directed flow that serves both to support and move articles. Vertically oriented orifices in the upper walls of the chambers serve solely for supporting purposes can be joined with the oblique orifices to move articles having bottom portions which are not perfectly flat.
However, the existing devices have known disadvantages. Specifically, as to the regularity of the air flow in the chambers which keep the air flow substantially constant, this necessitates distribution of several air intake vents over the entire length of the chamber. Moreover, these devices are expensive; this is because they are custom-made based on the transfer needs of specific customers.
Lastly, these devices are usable only in one direction of movement according to their design. If it is necessary, as is the case of certain manufacturing operations, such devices are able to transfer products successively in two opposite directions. In such devices, however, it is necessary to use conveyor-belt transfer machines having the disadvantages inherent therein. Specifically, such disadvantages relate to reliability and maintenance. This is because changing the direction of movement generally can be accomplished only through lengthy and complicated adjustments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to remedy the above-discussed disadvantages of the known devices by proposing a transfer device with a modular air cushion having greater efficiency than that of the prior art and a considerably lower manufacturing cost. The invention offers the possibility of changing direction easily and also possibilities to be used in locations where the air cushion devices previously could not be used.
The transfer device of the present invention comprises an assembly of several modules identical in their design. In their dimensions or shape, such modules can have rectangular or curved configuration.
Each module of the device according to the invention is characterized essentially in that it has a chamber closed at each of its ends. A tray with shape and dimensions varies depending on the nature of the objects to be moved is assembled on the chamber. The tray and the upper face of the chamber are pierced with orifices which are regularly distributed over their length and width. The orifices are blocked with removable stoppers preferably made of plastic, with at least one piercing having an axis oblique or perpendicular to the plane of the tray.
The tray is anchored to the chamber by appropriate means and has a bottom and two longitudinal edges or guides with spacing variable according to the objects to be transferred.
Pursuant to the invention, each chamber has an internal wall separating an internal volume thereof into at least two compartments. One of such compartments having smaller dimensions has orifices pierced in its upper wall opposite the orifices pierced in one of the longitudinal edges of the tray. The orifices in the bottom of the tray are open into the large compartment.
Furthermore, the chamber houses a fan with a blade situated in the large compartment, opposite an opening in the internal wall. The fan provides suction of the air from the small compartment, through orifices in the edge of the tray. The air is compressed in the large compartment and escapes through the stopper orifices creating an air flow directed toward the surface of the bottom of the tray.
Due to the small diameters of the stopper piercings, and the sp
REFERENCES:
patent: 3395943 (1968-08-01), Wilde et al.
patent: 5222840 (1993-06-01), Ingraham et al.
patent: 5320457 (1994-06-01), VanderMeer et al.
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