Apparatus for Buffering the Flow of Articles
AssigneeIIIinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsRobert C. Beesley, Jason Bedenbaugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.
Claims18
A device for buffering a flow of articles comprising:
- an infeed conveyor;
- an outfeed conveyor;
- and
- at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor, each accumulation conveyor including an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor;
- each accumulation conveyor defining a path having at least one curve between the entrance portion and the exit portion.
A device for buffering a flow of articles comprising:
- an infeed conveyor;
- an outfeed conveyor;
- and
- at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor, each accumulation conveyor including an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor;
- wherein each accumulation conveyor includes a diverter adjacent the entrance portion for selectively diverting articles from the infeed conveyor to the accumulation conveyor.
A device for buffering a flow of articles comprising:
- an infeed conveyor;
- an outfeed conveyor;
- and
- at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor, each accumulation conveyor including an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor;
- wherein each accumulation conveyor includes an endless loop defining a total length and an active upper surface portion that is at least about 75% of the total length.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.