Multiple conveyors with overlapping material handling device paths
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Corporation
InventorStefan A. Hunter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is generally accomplished by providing a plurality of conveyors to which are attached material handling devices. For at least a portion of their travel the material handling devices each travel in the same track or path, although they are attached to separate conveyor mechanisms that travel parallel with each other. This allows the material handling devices attached to one belt to operate at one speed for loading of product and to stop or operate at a different speed for unloading but use the same loading and unloading stations. Each conveyor is independently driven and controlled and each of the parallel conveyors is provided with a series of material handling devices attached to a portion of the conveyor.
Claims22
Apparatus for collection and transport comprising a plurality of material handling means carried by each of a plurality of conveyor belts, independent drive means comprising sprockets located in the center of each of said plurality of said belts to move each of said plurality of conveyor means, wherein said material handling means move for at least a portion of their travel in the same path irrespective of which of said conveyor means to which they are attached, wherein said conveyors are provided with control means for continuous movement while said belts are loaded and control means to stop or slow said conveyor during unloading, and wherein said material handling means attached to each of said plurality of conveyor belts extends unsupported over the remainder of said plurality of belts during at least a portion of their travel.
A method of collection and transport comprising providing a plurality of sprocket driven belt conveyors, providing each conveyor with a plurality of material handling means, adjusting the speed of at least one conveyor to receive products into said material handling means, simultaneously adjusting the speed of at least one second conveyor to a second speed, with the proviso that said material handling means follow overlapping paths for at least a portion of their travel, said belts are moving during said loading and slowed or stopped during unloading, the bottom of said material handling means is separated from said conveying means by being mounted on a bracket which is moutned on one of said belt conveyors such that said material handling means are spearated by a greater distance when said material handling means pass around the conveyor drive rolls during loading than they would be if directly connected to said belt and each of said material handling means attached to each of said plurality of belt conveyors extends unsupported over the remainder of said plurality of belt conveyors during a portion of their travel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.