Conveyor single filing system
OwnerVincent R. Agnewinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An orienting and combining device for use with conveyor systems where it is desirable to reduce a random orientation of a plurality of articles into a single file row for further conveying in that form. The device can be attached to existing conveying systems and is comprised of an outer frame structure which positions a plurality of triangular shaped blocks on each side of a conveyor belt. The blocks are offset from one another on opposite sides of the conveyor belt and together define a particular zig-zag course through which the article must pass. The dimensions of the blocks are dependent upon the diameter of the articles being conveyed and will orient the article efficiently and quickly virtually without jamming into a configuration that will easily permit the formation of the single file row.
Claims13
An article combining device for orienting conveyed articles having a diameter d so that they can be formed into a single file flow comprising:
- a conveyor system including a conveyor belt,
- frame means supporting the device and for forming the opposing sides of said device, said frame means being secured so as to extend parallel to said conveyor belt,
- and block means, secured to said frame means and positioned above said conveyor belt, for defining a zig-zag orienting passageway along a portion of said conveyor system through which said articles will move, said block means including a pair of inlet block members, a pair of outlet block members, and at least one intermediate block member positioned therebetween, said block means being of a triangular shape and, arranged on each side of said conveyor belt with the block members positioned on each side being spaced apart a distance d equal to the diameter of the articles being handled so that as said articles move through the zig-zag orienting passageway, each will be oriented into a flow pattern that will permit subsequent orientation into a single file formation.
A device for use with a conveyor system for arranging cylindrically shaped articles having a diameter d into a condition where each can be moved into a single-file condition, said device comprising a conveyor line including a moving conveyor, said conveyor line including a first conveyor section for handling a plurality of said articles across the width thereof and a second conveyor section for handling said articles in a single file fashion, and an orienting section positioned between said first and second conveyor sections, said orienting section including a pair of exterior support members extending along the length of said section parallel to the direction of travel on the conveyor line and defining the sides thereof, a predetermined number of orienting blocks including at least an inlet pair, an exit pair and one intermediate block, the bases thereof being fixed to said support members, each of said blocks having a triangular shape with a width not greater than one half d with each block being spaced apart along each side of the conveyor line by a distance equal to one d.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.