Aerodynamic product unscrambling system and methods of constructing and utilizing same
OwnerDonald William Storm, Carl Curtis Garlandinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An aerodynamic product unscrambler which automatically separates, meters, and indexes individual products into a desired arrangement. The products to be separated and arranged are brought into the aerodynamic unscrambling apparatus in a random arrangement or any systematic or unsystematic arrangement. The products pass between a template guide structure and a series of louvers from which emanate streams of a fluid to carry along the product. The template guide structure is variable or interchangeable to accommodate various cross sections of different products.
Claims10
An apparatus for automatically and selectively controllably transporting articles into a predetermined arrangement of said articles, comprising, in combination:
- main guide means;
- entrance guide means operably connected to and communicating with said main guide means;
- first means for transporting said articles into said entrance guide means;
- second means for selectively supplying and directing at least one fluid to said main guide means at a selectively adjustable and predetermined pressure and quantity, and at a selectively adjustable and predetermined direction;
- article separating means operably connected to and disposed within said main guide means;
- said articles being transported through said entrance guide means and into said main guide means wherein said articles are selectively adjustably and controllably transported along by said fluid;
- and
- said article separating means separating said articles into a selectively adjustable and predetermined arrangement of said articles as said articles are simultaneously transported along by said fluid.
An apparatus for automatically and selectively controllably transporting articles into a predetermined arrangement of said articles, comprising, in combination:
- main guide means;
- entrance guide means operably connected to and communicating with said main guide means;
- first means for transporting said articles into said entrance guide means;
- second means for selectively supplying and directing at least one fluid to said main guide means at a selectively adjustable and predetermined pressure and quantity, and at a selectively adjustable and predetermined direction;
- article separating means operably connected to and disposed within said main guide means;
- said articles being transported through said entrance guide means and into said main guide means wherein said articles are selectively adjustably and controllably transported along by said fluid;
- said article separating means separating said articles into a selectively adjustable and predetermined arrangement of said articles as said articles are simultaneously transported along by said fluid;
- said main guide means includes a template guide structure which is shaped and dimensioned so as to permit said articles to move therethrough with a minimum of resistance and obstruction;
- said articles pass through said template guide structure on a layer of said fluid;
- and
- said article separating means are operably connected to and depend from said template guide structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.