US 5,180,159 A · Adjustable right angle transfer device for conveying flat articles in one of two directions

Abstract

An apparatus for changing the direction of travel of a flat article being conveyed in a first direction to one of two other directions without changing the orientation of the article. The apparatus comprises a circular deck mounted on a frame. The deck is pivotable along a center axis of the deck between a left position and a right position. There is structure operatively coupled to the deck for conveying the article over the deck, the deck conveying structure having a first end and a second end, wherein, when the deck is in the left position, the deck conveying structure receives the article being conveyed in the first direction at the first end and conveys the article in a second direction of forty-five degrees (45.degree.) to the left of the first direction, and wherein, when the deck is in the right position, the deck conveying structure receives the article being conveyed in the first direction at the second end and conveys the article in a third direction of forty-five degrees (45.degree.) to the right of the first direction.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An apparatus for changing the direction of travel of a flat article being conveyed in a first direction to one of two other directions without changing the orientation of the article, comprising:

a circular deck mounted on a frame, said deck being pivotable along a center axis of said deck between a left position and a right position;
means operatively coupled to said deck for conveying the article over said deck, said deck conveying means having a first end and a second end, wherein, when said deck is in said left position, said deck conveying means receives the article being conveyed in the first direction at said first end and conveys the article in a second direction of forty-five degrees (45.degree.) to the left of said first direction, and wherein, when said deck is in said right position, said deck conveying means receives the article being conveyed in the first direction at said second end and conveys the article in a third direction of forty-five degrees (45.degree.) to the right of said first direction.

A method for changing the direction of motion of flat articles being conveyed seriatim along a first path to one of two paths which are at a right angles to the first path without changing the orientation of the flat article, the method comprising the steps of:

a) determining a first change in direction;
b) rotating a deck plate containing a deck conveying assembly to a position corresponding to said deck conveying assembly being positioned at a forty-five degree (45.degree.) angle from the first path to the first change in direction;
c) energizing said deck conveying assembly to convey the articles towards the first change in direction;
d) conveying the articles to said deck conveying assembly;
e) engaging the leading edge of each of said articles by at least two of a plurality of roller pairs comprising said deck conveying means after the article has been disengaged by a drive means along said first path, said roller pairs being configured in at least two parallel rows, each of said roller pairs being angled in a direction which is equal or less than forty-five degrees (45.degree.) from said first path;
f) conveying each of the articles across said deck plate;
g) driving the leading edge of each article against a corresponding registration wall after the article has been disengaged by the roller pairs of said deck conveying means, said registration wall being positioned at the desired right angle to the first direction and downstream of the roller pairs;
and
h) conveying each of the articles along the registration wall by a roller means.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Adjustable right angle transfer device for conveying flat articles in one of two directions

Life of this patent

Adjustable right angle transfer device for conveying flat articles in one of two directions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11