Article transfer device

Abstract

An article transfer device for transferring articles from a first position to a second position including a transfer screw, a conveying system, a stationary dead plate and a pressure adjustment wall. The screw is constructed from a flexible material and is essentially a continuous helical spiral having its ends connected to a support structure. Because of the flexible nature of the screw, different size articles can be transferred across the dead plate without having to change the screw. The article transfer device is useful in a clean room and less clean room application where articles need to be transferred between the rooms without returning any contaminants to the clean room. No individual part of the transfer device moves from the clean room to the less clean room and back again, thereby maintaining the sterile environment in the clean room. When it is desired that a different size article be transferred between the rooms, the pressure wall is adjusted so that the screw conforms to the different size articles and transfers the same. Lost production time and additional labor are eliminated as a result of the conforming nature of the article transfer device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.