# US 2014/0207276 A1 · Automated collating conveyor system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0207276 A1 - Document ID: US20140207276A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/746,823 - Filed: 2013-01-22 - Published: 2014-07-24 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-22 - Assignees: Pretzels, Inc. - Inventors: Dennis Roush - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140207276A1 ## CPC - G06F 17/00: Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions (information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00) - B65G 41/002: {Pivotably mounted} - B65G 47/248: by turning over or inverting them (B65G47/244 takes precedence) - B65G 47/32: Applications of transfer devices {(such devices per se B65G47/74)} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D) ## Abstract A method of moving and boxing packages, including positioning a conveyor belt assembly having distal and proximal ends to receive a package at the distal end, sending a signal when a first package is placed upon the distal end, generating an air pulse to reorient the first package into a predetermined orientation, moving the first package to a loading area, and removing the first package into a shipping container. Next, the first package is moved far enough to make room for a second package, a second package is placed onto the distal end, a signal is sent when the second package is placed upon the distal end, and an air pulse is generated to reorient the second package into a predetermined orientation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A conveyor assembly, comprising in combination: a wheeled base portion, at least one extendible support member connected to the wheeled base portion; an elongated belt housing portion connected to the at least one extendible support member, wherein the elongated belt portion defines a proximal end and a distal end; a single endless belt loop operationally connected to the elongated belt housing portion; a drive motor operationally connected to the endless belt; a microprocessor operationally connected to the drive motor; an air jet disposed at the distal end and operationally connected to the microprocessor; a sensor positioned at the distal end and operationally connected to the microprocessor; and a control interface operationally connected to the microprocessor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated belt housing portion further comprises a pair of oppositely disposed parallel elongated sidewalls; and further comprising a pair of spaced roller support members, each respective roller support member extending between the sidewalls and operationally engaging the single endless belt loop. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the elongated belt housing portion further comprises an elongated first portion and an elongated second portion hingedly connected to the elongated first portion; wherein the intersection of the elongated first and second portions defines an angle of intersection. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The conveyor assembly of claim 3 wherein the elongated second portion is operationally connected to the at least one extendible support member, and wherein the at least one extendible support member may be actuated to change the angle of intersection. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The conveyor assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a pneumatic source operationally connected to the air jet and to the at least one extendible support member; wherein the at least one extendible support member is pneumatically actuated; and wherein the electronic controller energizes pneumatic actuation of the at least one extendible support member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The conveyor assembly of claim 1 wherein the single endless belt loop is comprised of a plurality of connected leaves. ### Claim 7 A conveyor assembly, comprising in combination: a movable housing portion; a single endless belt loop defining an elongated conveyor member, wherein the conveyor member has a distal end; a drive motor connected to the housing portion and operationally connected to the endless belt; a variable length support member connected to the housing and to the elongated conveyor member; an air jet operationally connected to the elongated conveyor member and connectable to a pneumatic source; a sensor operationally connected to the elongated conveyor member; a microprocessor operationally connected to the drive motor, the air jet, and the sensor; a control interface operationally connected to the microprocessor; wherein varying the length of the variable length support member varies elevation of the distal end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7 further comprising an actuator operationally coupled to the variable length support member and electrically connected to the microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to energize the actuator to vary the length of the variable length support member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The assembly of claim 8 wherein the actuator is a cylinder assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The assembly of claim 7 wherein placement of a package onto the distal end sends a first signal from the sensor to the microprocessor; upon receipt of the first signal, the microprocessor energizes the motor to engage the endless belt loop at a predetermined speed and to energize the air jet to deliver an air blast of a predetermined intensity to the package to yield a predetermined package orientation. ### Claim 11 A method of moving and boxing packages, comprising: a) positioning a conveyor belt assembly having a distal end and a proximal end to receive a package at the distal end; b) sending a signal when a first package is placed upon the distal end; c) generating an air pulse to reorient the first package into a predetermined orientation; d) moving the first package to a loading area; e) moving the first package from the conveyor belt assembly into a shipping container ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising: f) after c) and before d), moving the first package far enough to make room for a second package; g) after f), placing the second package onto the distal end; h) sending a signal when the second package is placed upon the distal end; and i) generating an air pulse to reorient the second package into the predetermined orientation. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 wherein a microprocessor controls movement of the packages and timing and intensity of air pulses to yield a predetermined spacing and orientation of packages as well as a predetermined package delivery rate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 and further comprising: j) repositioning the loading area to ergonomically benefit an operator. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein a plurality of loading area positions are stored in the microprocessor; and wherein each respective loading area position is paired with an individual operator code.