Storage buffer for a multi lane conveyor

Details Storage buffer for a multi lane conveyor Storage buffer for a multi lane conveyor

1999-06-23

2001-06-26

Ellis, Christopher P. (Department: 3651)

Conveyors: power-driven

Conveyor system having auxiliary section for storing items...

C198S347300

Reexamination Certificate

active

06250454

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an apparatus for storing articles on a conveyor system. More specifically, the invention relates to a storage buffer for use in a conveyor system having at least two side-by-side driven lanes
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Due to space limitations and the cost of operating conveying lines, the efficiency of a conveyor system is a substantial consideration. Thus, buffer systems are often required to store articles on a conveyor system to maximize throughput efficiency.
Two lane conveying systems are desirable because they can effectively double the articles manufactured within a given time period. However, a major concern of two rail conveyor systems is the space required for such systems, particularly when a single lane conveyor, or a portion thereof, is being replaced by a two rail conveyor system. For instance, for the present invention it is desirable to have a space of only approximately one to two inches between the two lanes.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,964,498 to Klingl and 5,253,743 to Haas, Sr. et al. both disclose conveyors having side by side vertical storage buffers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,242 to Wegscheider discloses two buffer magazines 12, 32 positioned one after the other. The Klingl, Haas and Wegscheider conveyor systems, however, use the side by side buffers to efficiently convey articles in a single lane, not two lanes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,819 to Wiernicki discloses a conveyor magazine having the shape of a vertical stack for storing printed circuit boards (PCBs). The Wiernicki magazine, however, does not include conveyors on each level of the magazine to load and withdraw articles. The Wiernicki magazine relies on rollers 80 external to the magazine to load and withdraw articles. Relying on an external drive system for a magazine can be disadvantageous if the magazine is being retrofitted to an existing system without an appropriate drive system.
None of the above patents discloses a storage buffer for use with a conveyor system having two side-by-side driven lanes.
What is desired, therefore, is a two magazine multi-level storage buffer that can convey articles on each storage level and be used with a conveyor system having two side-by-side driven lanes, and that adheres to strict width limitations between the lanes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi conveying lane storage buffer that occupies a narrow width.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multi conveying lane storage buffer that includes a conveyor on each level of storage.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multi conveying lane storage buffer wherein the drive mechanisms for horizontally conveying articles within the buffer are contained within the buffer walls.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a multi conveying lane storage buffer wherein the opposing side walls for the buffer are identical in construction.
These objects of the invention are achieved by a storage buffer for a multi lane conveyor system, which generally consists of a carriage containing a plurality of storage magazines each having a plurality of storage conveyors, drive means for raising and lowering the carriage such that an article can be fed to and discharged from each storage conveyor, at least two drive mechanisms for running the storage conveyors of each magazine one at a time, and at least two drive means for driving the two drive systems.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3565725 (1971-02-01), Siempelkamp
patent: 4516819 (1985-05-01), Wiernicki
patent: 4725182 (1988-02-01), Sakamoto et al.
patent: 4900212 (1990-02-01), Mikahara
patent: 4964498 (1990-10-01), Klingl
patent: 4995769 (1991-02-01), Berger et al.
patent: 5176242 (1993-01-01), Wegscheider
patent: 5253743 (1993-10-01), Haas, Sr. et al.
patent: 5511651 (1996-04-01), Barth

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