US 6,189,677 B1 · Apparatus for conveying articles in selected directions

Abstract

An apparatus for advancing articles in a selected, approximately horizontal conveying direction, includes a plurality of side-by-side disposed table elements each having an upper, approximately horizontal article-supporting surface. The article-supporting surfaces together form an approximately horizontal conveying table. A first drive oscillates each table element parallel to its article-supporting surface in a motion having two motion components oriented in perpendicular, horizontal directions and a second drive vertically oscillates each table element. A first synchronizing arrangement synchronizes the horizontal oscillations in the direction of the two motion components and a second synchronizing arrangement synchronizes the vertical oscillations with the horizontal oscillations. A first adjusting arrangement adjusts the phase of the vertical oscillations with respect to the horizontal oscillations and a second adjusting arrangement individually adjusts an amplitude of the vertical oscillation of each table element.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for advancing an article in a selected, approximately horizontal conveying direction, comprising

(a) a plurality of side-by-side disposed table elements each having an upper, approximately horizontal article-supporting surface;
the article-supporting surfaces together forming an approximately horizontal conveying table;
(b) first drive means for oscillating each said table element parallel to said article-supporting surface in a motion having two motion components oriented in perpendicular, horizontal directions;
(c) second drive means for vertically oscillating each said table element;
(d) first synchronizing means for synchronizing the horizontal oscillations in the direction of the two motion components;
(e) second synchronizing means for synchronizing the vertical oscillations with the horizontal oscillations;
(f) first adjusting means for adjusting a phase of said vertical oscillations of each said table element with respect to said horizontal oscillations;
and
(g) second adjusting means for individually adjusting an amplitude of the vertical oscillation of each table element.

6 more elements

An apparatus for advancing an article in a selected, approximately horizontal conveying direction, comprising

(a) a plurality of side-by-side disposed table elements each having an upper, approximately horizontal article-supporting surface;
the article-supporting surfaces together forming an approximately horizontal conveying table;
(b) first drive means for oscillating each said table element parallel to said article-supporting surface in a motion having two motion components oriented in perpendicular, horizontal directions;
said first drive means including
(1) a frame;
(2) means for supporting said table elements on said frame for vertical displacements relative to said frame;
and
(3) a drive for oscillating said frame, together with said table elements, in a direction of said two motion components;
(c) second drive means for vertically oscillating each said table element;
(d) first synchronizing means for synchronizing the horizontal oscillations in the direction of the two motion components;
(e) second synchronizing means for synchronizing the vertical oscillations with the horizontal oscillations;
and
(f) adjusting means for adjusting a phase of said vertical oscillations of each said table element with respect to said horizontal oscillations.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus for conveying articles in selected directions

Life of this patent

Apparatus for conveying articles in selected directions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18