Molded non-metallic conveyor apparatus
AssigneeKFGI, Ltd.
InventorW. Scott Kalm
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conveyor assembly utilizes a plurality of rollers or a belt supported in a frame to convey articles. The frame is manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to those experienced with structural metals. More specifically, side frames, lower frames, slider beds, and fasteners used by the frame may be manufactured from the non-metallic material. A radio frequency (RF) reader is position on or near the conveyor assembly to read RF tags applied to items conveyed past the reader by the rollers or belt of the conveyor assembly.
Claims49
A conveyor assembly, comprising:
- a frame having components comprising:
- a pair of longitudinally extending side frames;
- and
- a lateral lower frame that connects the two side frames together at a predetermined distance necessary to suitably support conveyor rollers;
- wherein each of the recited components of the frame are manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal;
- and
- transport means supported by the frame and operable to convey carried items.
A conveyor assembly, comprising:
- a frame manufactured from a non-metallic elastomeric material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal;
- and
- transport means supported by the frame and operable to convey carried items.
A conveyor system, comprising:
- a conveyor section having:
- a structural frame that is manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal;
- and
- transport means supported by the non-metallic structural frame and operable to convey carried items each marked with a radio frequency (RF) identifying tag;
- and
- an RF reader positioned adjacent the conveyor section and operable to read the RF identifying tags marked on each conveyed carried item;
- wherein the non-metallic material comprises a blended curable combination of polyurethane and polyethylene.
Components of a conveyor frame comprising a pair of longitudinally extending side frames and a lateral support frame for connecting the pair of side frames together in spaced apart relation wherein those components are entirely manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal.
A component of a conveyor frame wherein that component is manufactured from a non-metallic material comprising a blended curable combination of polyurethane and polyethylene possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal.
A conveyor assembly, comprising:
- a frame manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing tensile strength and flexural modulus characteristics that are substantially similar to the tensile strength and flexural modulus characteristics of a structural metal;
- and
- transport means supported by the non-metallic frame and operable to convey carried items.
A component of a conveyor frame selected from a group consisting of a longitudinal side frame and a lateral support frame wherein that component is manufactured from a non-metallic elastomeric material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal.
A component of a conveyor frame wherein that component is manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal and wherein the component is manufactured by casting the non-metallic material into a desired shape.
A conveyor system, comprising:
- a conveyor section having:
- a pair of longitudinal side frames connected by a lateral support frame wherein the side frames and support frame are manufactured from a non-metallic material;
- and
- transport means supported by the side frames and operable to convey items each marked with a radio frequency (RF) identifying tag;
- and
- an RF reader operable to read the RF identifying tags marked on each conveyed item as the items are carried through the conveyor section.
A conveyor assembly, comprising:
- a conveyor belt operable to carry conveyed items;
- and
- a frame having components comprising:
- a pair of longitudinally extending side frames;
- a lateral lower frame that connects the two side frames together;
- and
- a slider bed that connects the two side frames together at a predetermined distance necessary to suitably support the conveyor belt;
- wherein each of the recited components of the frame are manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal.
A component of a conveyor frame wherein that component is manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal such that the component at least exhibits:
- a tensile strength of no less than 8,000 psi;
- and
- a flexural modulus of no less than 200,000 psi.
A component of a conveyor frame wherein that component is manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal and wherein the component is manufactured by transfer molding the non-metallic material into a desired shape.
A conveyor system, comprising:
- a conveyor section having:
- a structural frame that is manufactured from a non-metallic material possessing physical characteristics that are substantially similar to the physical characteristics of a structural metal;
- and
- transport means supported by the non-metallic structural frame and operable to convey carried items each marked with a radio frequency (RF) identifying tag;
- and
- an RF reader positioned adjacent the conveyor section and operable to read the RF identifying tags marked on each conveyed carried item.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.