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US 5,746,572 AGranted
Conveying apparatus and methods of use
AssigneeGoldco Industries, Inc.
InventorErnest P. Winski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention pertains to removing a row or layer of material from a supporting surface, with the row or layer advancing on a removal conveyor in a line abreast, and converting the row or layer into a line, advancing single file. Apparatus and methods are disclosed. Each unit of material is moved in turn, longitudinally out of its line abreast, and into sole occupation of a discrete length of the converting conveyor assembly. The units so moved longitudinally are moved, as necessary, transversely across the accelerating conveyor and into an alignment zone, and are then assembled into a line advancing single file.
Claims74
A method of removing a group of units of material from a supporting surface, and converting said group, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) removing said group from said supporting surface and depositing said group onto a conveyor system, said conveyor system having a length dimension, and comprising a converting conveyor assembly, said converting conveyor assembly having a transverse dimension, and comprising a removal conveyor having a path for advancing said units of material along said length, and an accelerating conveyor, said converting conveyor assembly comprising a receiving zone on said removal conveyor, and an acceleration zone including at least a portion of said accelerating conveyor, said depositing of said group onto said conveyor system comprising depositing said group on said removal conveyor, in said receiving zone;
- (b) advancing said group of units of material along said path of said removal conveyor, in a first drive zone, in a first direction, at a first speed, with said units of material travelling in said group;
- and
- (c) transferring said group into said acceleration zone, and accelerating the rate of advance of each of said units of material, in said acceleration zone, in said first direction, from said group, such that each of said units of material, when so accelerated, advances from said group to said accelerating conveyor at a different time from the time any other said unit of material is transferred, and gains sole occupation of a discrete portion of said length of said conveyor system.
1 more element
A method of removing a group of units of material from a supporting surface, with said units traveling in said group, and converting said group, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) removing said group from said supporting surface and depositing said group onto a conveyor system, said conveyor system having a length dimension, and comprising a converting conveyor assembly, said converting conveyor assembly having a transverse dimension, and comprising a removal conveyor having a path for advancing said units of material along said length, and an accelerating conveyor, said converting conveyor assembly comprising a receiving zone on said removal conveyor, and an acceleration zone including at least a portion of said accelerating conveyor, said depositing of said group onto said conveyor system comprising depositing said group on said removal conveyor, in said receiving zone;
- (b) advancing said group of units of material along said path of said removal conveyor, in a first direction, at a first speed, with said units of material travelling in said group;
- and
- (c) transferring said group into said acceleration zone, and accelerating the rate of advance of each of said units of material, in said acceleration zone, in said first direction, from said group, such that each said unit of material, when so accelerated, advances from said group and gains sole occupation of a discrete portion of said length of said conveyor system, while maintaining its position across the transverse dimension of said conveyor system.
1 more element
An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) an unloading station for removing units of material from a supporting surface;
- and
- (b) a conveyor system, for receiving the units of material removed from the supporting surface, said conveyor system having a length, and a path of travel, and comprising a converting conveyor assembly, for receiving the units, and for converting a group of the units of material into a line advancing single file, said converting conveyor assembly comprising
- (i) a removal conveyor, for receiving the units of material from said unloading station, and for driving the units of material in groups, each such group advancing along said converting conveyor assembly in a first drive zone, at a first drive speed, and
- (ii) an accelerating conveyor, for accelerating the speed of travel of units of material along the path of travel of said conveyor system, whereby each unit of material is accelerated into sole occupation of a discrete portion of the length of said conveyor system while maintaining its position across the transverse dimension of said conveyor system.
2 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) an unloading station for removing units of material from a supporting surface;
- and
- (b) a conveyor system, for receiving the units of material removed from the supporting surface, said conveyor system having a length, and a path of travel, and comprising a converting conveyor assembly, for receiving the units, and for converting a group of the units of material into a line of units advancing single file, said converting conveyor assembly comprising
- (i) a removal conveyor, for receiving the units of material from said unloading station, and for driving the units of material in groups, each such group advancing along said converting conveyor assembly in a first drive zone, at a first drive speed,
- (ii) an accelerating conveyor, for accelerating the speed of travel of units of material along the path of travel of said conveyor system, whereby each unit of material is accelerated into sole occupation of a discrete portion of the length of said conveyor system, and
- (iii) an alignment zone for alignment of said units of material, wherein said units of material are converted into a line advancing single file, said alignment taking place after the units of material are accelerated into sole occupation of discrete portions of the length of said conveyor system, said alignment zone including (iv) a driven shunt apparatus mounted transverse to the path of travel, for urging said units of material to move transversely and into a line, advancing single file along said length of said conveyor system, from said alignment zone.
3 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) an unloading station for removing units of material from a supporting surface;
- and
- (b) a conveyor system, for receiving the units of material removed from the supporting surface, said conveyor system having a length, and a path of travel, and comprising a converting conveyor assembly, for receiving the units, and for converting a group of the units of material into a line of units advancing single file, said converting conveyor assembly comprising
- (i) a removal conveyor, for receiving the units of material from said unloading station, and for driving the units of material in groups, each such group advancing along said converting conveyor assembly in a first drive zone, at a first drive speed,
- (ii) an accelerating conveyor, for accelerating the speed of travel of units of material along the path of travel of said conveyor system, whereby each unit of material is accelerated into sole occupation of a discrete portion of the length of said conveyor system, and
- (iii) an alignment zone, at least some of the units of material on said accelerating conveyor already being in alignment with an exit conveyor which forms a line of said units of material, advancing single file along said length of said conveyor system, from said alignment zone, said alignment zone including (iv) a driven shunt apparatus mounted transverse to the path of travel, for urging said units of material which are not aligned with said exit conveyor to move transversely and into a line, advancing single file along said length of said conveyor system, from said alignment zone.
3 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) an unloading station for removing units of material from a supporting surface;
- and
- (b) a conveyor system, for receiving the units of material removed from the supporting surface, said conveyor system having a length, and a path of travel, and comprising a converting conveyor assembly, for receiving the units, and for converting a group of the units of material into a line of units advancing single file, said converting conveyor assembly comprising
- (i) a removal conveyor, for receiving the units of material from said unloading station, and for driving the units of material in groups, each such group advancing along said converting conveyor assembly in a first drive zone, at a first drive speed,
- (ii) an accelerating conveyor, for accelerating the speed of travel of units of material along the path of travel of said conveyor system, whereby each unit of material is accelerated into sole occupation of a discrete portion of the length of said conveyor system, and
- (iii) an acceleration zone comprising a joint between said removal conveyor and said accelerating conveyor, extending both longitudinally along the length and transversely across said converting conveyor assembly, whereby each unit of material is accelerated into sole occupation of a discrete portion of the length of said conveyor system as the unit traverses said joint.
3 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- (a) an unloading station for removing units of material from a supporting surface;
- and
- (b) a conveyor system, for receiving the units of material from the supporting surface, said conveyor system having a length, and a path of travel, and comprising a converting conveyor assembly, for receiving the units, and for converting a group of the units of material into a line of units advancing single file, said converting conveyor assembly comprising
- (i) a removal conveyor, for receiving the units of material from said unloading station, and for driving the units of material in groups, each such group advancing along said converting conveyor assembly in a first drive zone, at a first drive speed,
- (ii) an accelerating conveyor, for accelerating the speed of travel of units of material along the path of travel of said conveyor system, whereby each unit of material is accelerated into sole occupation of a discrete portion of the length of said conveyor system, said acceleration occurring across the entire width of said path of travel at a second drive speed, said second drive speed being faster than said first drive speed,
- (iii) an alignment zone for alignment of said units of material, wherein said units of material are converted into a line advancing single file, said alignment taking place after the units of material are accelerated into sole occupation of discrete portions of the length of said conveyor system, and wherein said alignment zone includes (iv) a driven shunt apparatus mounted transverse to the path of travel, for urging said units of material which are not aligned with said exit conveyor to move transversely and into a line, advancing single file along said length of said conveyor system, from said alignment zone.
3 more elements
A method of removing a group of units of material from a supporting surface, and converting said group, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) removing said group from said supporting surface and depositing said group onto a conveyor system, said conveyor system having a length dimension, and comprising a converting conveyor assembly, said converting conveyor assembly having a transverse dimension, and comprising a removal conveyor having a path for advancing said units of material along said length, and an accelerating conveyor, said converting conveyor assembly comprising a receiving zone on said removal conveyor, and an acceleration zone including at least a portion of said accelerating conveyor, said depositing of said group onto said conveyor system comprising depositing said group on said removal conveyor, in said receiving zone;
- (b) advancing said group of units of material along said path of said removal conveyor, in a first drive zone, in a first direction, at a first speed, with said units of material travelling in said group;
- (c) transferring said group into said acceleration zone, and accelerating the rate of advance of each of said units of material along said converting conveyor assembly by transferring each of said units of material in said group to said accelerating conveyor at a time different from the time any other said unit of material is transferred, with each of said units of material, in said acceleration zone, being accelerated in said first direction, from said group, to a second speed faster than said first speed, such that each of said units of material, when so accelerated, advances and gains sole occupation of a discrete portion of said length of said conveyor system, and
- (d) aligning said units of material into a line advancing single file, said alignment taking place after the units of material are accelerated into sole occupation of discrete portions of the length of said conveyor system.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.