Article transport system
AssigneeMolins Limited
InventorsMichael J. Cahill, Kenvin R. Fincham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transport system particularly for flat articles, e.g. cards, includes guides which allow alternate articles to be conveyed in different orientations through the same duct (122) so that the risk of jamming or shingling during conveyance is eliminated. In a preferred arrangement the system includes a crossed-axes pneumatic duct (122) and driven rollers (144) for introducing cards (12) into the duct in different orientations. The system also includes intermediate air supply stations (138), a card inspection unit (134), and a receiving station (139) including a device (145) for turning cards so that they are all received in the same orientation.
Claims25
An article transport system comprising a pneumatic conveying duct having means defining a path for conveying relatively flat articles in two separate orientations through the duct, said orientations differing by a relatively small imaginary relative rotation of an article about an axis extending generally parallel to said path, said path defining means being arranged such that articles introduced into the duct respectively in first or second orientations remain in the same orientation throughout the length of the duct, and means for introducing articles into the duct alternately in said first and second orientations, whereby successive articles conveyed pneumatically through said duct are unable to jam or otherwise adversely interfere with each other because of their respective different orientations.
An article transport system, comprising:
- means defining a path along which articles are conveyed, including means for maintaining articles in at least two different orientations as they are conveyed along said path;
- and
- delivering means for delivering articles onto said path in different orientations, including changing means arranged to twist articles about an axis substantially parallel to their direction of conveyance for changing the orientation of articles before delivering them onto said path;
- wherein said delivering means comprises a pair of driven rollers having angled faces adapted to convey articles between them, said changing means comprising means for causing relative axial movement of said rollers.
An article transport system comprising a pneumatic conveying duct in which articles may be conveyed in at least two different orientations which are angularly spaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the duct, means for introducing articles into the duct in different orientations, and means for introducing conveying air into the duct at an intermediate station through which articles are conveyed while retaining their respective orientations, said intermediate station having conveying means for receiving articles in either of said at least two orientations and for conveying articles through said intermediate station while maintaining their respective orientations.
An articles transport system, comprising:
- means defining a path along which articles are conveyed, including a chamber having guide means defining first and second orientations which differ in angular directions about an axis extending generally parallel to said path to maintain articles in said first and second orientations as they are conveyed along said path;
- and
- means for delivering articles onto said path in different orientations, including further guide means and means for moving said further guide means between a first position in which at least a part of said further guide means as aligned with said guide means defining said first orientation and a second position in which at least a part of said further guide means is aligned with said guide means defining said second orientation.
An article transport system, comprising:
- means defining a duct along which articles are conveyed in a single row, including guide means for maintaining articles in said duct in first and second orientations, which differ by imaginary relative rotation of an articles about an axis extending generally along the path of conveyance through said duct, said guide means extending along the entire length of said duct so that articles introduced into said duct remains in the same orientation throughout the length of the duct;
- and
- pneumatic means for effecting conveyance of articles along the length of said duct.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.