# US 5,706,931 A · Device for transferring products

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- Number: US 5,706,931 A
- Document ID: US5706931A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/603,555
- Filed: 1996-02-21
- Granted: 1998-01-13
- Earliest claimed: 1995-02-24
- Assignees: G.D S.p.A.
- Inventors: Andrea Gori; Fulvio Boldrini
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5706931A

## CPC

- B65G 59/026: {with a stepwise upward movement of the stack}
- B65G 51/02: Directly conveying the articles, e.g. slips, sheets, stockings, containers or workpieces, by flowing gases
- B65G 2207/14: Combination of conveyors
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

Products are transferred from a first conveyor to a second conveyor along a set feed path by a device including a pressurized pneumatic duct interposed substantially with no break in continuity between the outfeed end of the first conveyor and the infeed end of the second conveyor. The pneumatic duct is connected to a source of compressed air, which is admitted convergently with the feed direction and at a velocity and rate of flow such that the products are invested with movement by fluid power alone and caused thus to pass along the duct toward the infeed end of the second conveyor.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device for transferring products from the outfeed end of a first conveyor to the infeed end of a second conveyor along a predetermined feed path, comprising:
a first conveyor having an outfeed end;
a second conveyor having an infeed end;
the outfeed end of the first conveyor being disposed substantially perpendicular to the infeed and of the second conveyor;
a pressurized pneumatic duct interposed substantially with no break in continuity between the outfeed end of the first conveyor and the infeed end of the second conveyor;
said duct connecting with a source of pressurized gas from which gas is delivered into the duct in a direction substantially convergent with the feed direction along which the products are conveyed;
said duct has a lateral opening connecting with said outfeed end of said first conveyor; and an axial opening connecting with said infeed end of said second conveyor;
said pneumatic duct being connected with said source of pressurized gas at a point located between the lateral opening of said pneumatic duct and said infeed end of said conveyor by way of at least one inlet hole, angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of said pneumatic duct and directed toward said infeed end of said second conveyor, of which the diameter and the inclination are such that a negative pressure can be generated internally of said pneumatic duct between said lateral opening and said inlet hole.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A device as in claim 1, wherein the axis of the pneumatic duct is curved, and the opposite ends are disposed in alignment respectively with the outfeed end of the first conveyor and with the infeed end of the second conveyor.

### Claim 3

A device for transferring products from the outfeed end of a first conveyor to the infeed end of a second conveyor along a predetermined feed path, comprising:
a first conveyor having an outfeed end;
a second conveyor having an infeed end;
the outfeed end of the first conveyor being disposed substantially perpendicular to the infeed and of the second conveyor;
a pressurized pneumatic duct interposed substantially with no break in continuity between the outfeed end of the first conveyor and the infeed end of the second conveyor;
said duct connecting with a source of pressurized gas from which gas is delivered into the duct in a direction substantially convergent with the feed direction along which the products are conveyed;
the longitudinal axis of said pneumatic duct being curved; the opposite ends of said pneumatic duct being disposed in alignment respectively with said outfeed end of the first conveyor and with said infeed end of the second conveyor;
said pneumatic duct being connected with said source of pressurized gas by way of at least one inlet hole, angled in relation to said longitudinal axis of said pneumatic duct and convergent with a path along which products are transferred from said first to said second conveyor, of which the diameter and the inclination are such that a negative pressure can be generated internally of said pneumatic duct between said outfeed end of said first conveyor and said inlet hole.

### Claim 4

A device for transferring products from the outfeed end of a first conveyor to the infeed end of a second conveyor along a predetermined feed path, comprising:
a first conveyor having an outfeed end;
a second conveyor having an infeed end;
the outfeed end of the first conveyor being disposed substantially perpendicular to the infeed and of the second conveyor;
a pressurized pneumatic duct interposed substantially with no break in continuity between the out feed end of the first conveyor and the infeed end of the second conveyor;
said duct connecting with a source of pressurized gas from which gas is delivered into the duct in a direction substantially convergent with the feed direction along which the products are conveyed;
the longitudinal axis of said pneumatic duct being curved; the opposite ends of said pneumatic duct being disposed in alignment respectively with said outfeed end of the first conveyor and with said infeed end of the second conveyor:
said pneumatic duct being connected with said source of pressurized gas by way of a plurality of holes, angled in relation to said longitudinal axis of said pneumatic duct and convergent with a path along which products are transferred from said first conveyor to said second conveyor, of which the diameter and the inclination are such that a negative pressure can be generated internally of said pneumatic duct between said outfeed end of said conveyor and said inlet holes.

### Claim 5

A device for transferring products from the outfeed end of a first conveyor to the infeed end of a second conveyor along a predetermined feed path, comprising:
a first conveyor having an outfeed end;
a second conveyor having an infeed end;
the outfeed end of the first conveyor being disposed substantially perpendicular to the infeed and of the second conveyor;
a pressurized pneumatic duct interposed substantially with no break in continuity between the outfeed end of the first conveyor and the infeed end of the second conveyor;
said duct connecting with a source of pressurized gas from which gas is delivered into the duct in a direction substantially convergent with the feed direction along which the products are conveyed;
said duct has a lateral opening connecting with said outfeed end of said first conveyor; and an axial opening connecting with said infeed end of said second conveyor;
said pneumatic duct being connected with said source of pressurized gas by way of a plurality of inlet holes, each angled in relation to the longitudinal axis of said pneumatic duct and directed toward said infeed end of said second conveyor, of which the diameter and the inclination are such that a negative pressure can be generated internally of said pneumatic duct between said lateral opening and said inlet holes.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A device as in claim 5, wherein the inlet holes are located in various positions along the axis of the pneumatic duct.

### Claim 7

A device for transferring products from the outfeed end of a first conveyor to the infeed end of a second conveyor along a predetermined feed path, comprising:
a first conveyor having an outfeed end;
a second conveyor having an infeed end;
the outfeed end of the first conveyor being disposed substantially perpendicular to the infeed and of the second conveyor;
a pressurized pneumatic duct interposed substantially with no break in continuity between the outfeed end of the first conveyor and the infeed end of the second conveyor;
said duct connecting with a source of pressurized gas from which gas is delivered into the duct in a direction substantially convergent with the feed direction along which the products are conveyed;
said duct has a lateral opening connecting with said outfeed end of said first conveyor; and an axial opening connecting with said infeed end of said second conveyor;
said pneumatic duct being connected with said source of pressurized gas by way of at least one inlet hole located in said pneumatic duct at a point preceding said lateral opening in relation to a path along which products are transferred from said first to said second conveyor.