Apparatus for buffering the flow of articles
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsRobert C. Beesley, Jason Bedenbaugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for buffering articles may include use of an infeed conveyor, an outfeed conveyor, and at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor. Each accumulation conveyor includes an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor.
Claims18
A device for buffering a flow of articles comprising:
- an infeed conveyor;
- an outfeed conveyor;
- and
- at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor, each accumulation conveyor including an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor;
- each accumulation conveyor defining a path having at least one curve between the entrance portion and the exit portion, each accumulation conveyor having a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the articles being both slid onto and off each accumulation conveyor along one of the first lateral side or the second lateral side.
A device for buffering a flow of articles comprising:
- an infeed conveyor;
- an outfeed conveyor;
- and
- at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor, each accumulation conveyor including an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor;
- wherein each accumulation conveyor has a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the articles being both slid onto and off each accumulation conveyor along one of the first lateral side or the second lateral side.
A device for buffering a flow of articles comprising:
- an infeed conveyor;
- an outfeed conveyor;
- and
- at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor, each accumulation conveyor including an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor;
- wherein each accumulation conveyor includes a diverter adjacent the entrance portion for selectively diverting articles from the infeed conveyor to the accumulation conveyor, each accumulation conveyor having a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the articles being both slid onto each accumulation conveyor by a respective diverter and slid off each accumulation conveyor along one of the first lateral side or the second lateral side.
A device for buffering a flow of articles comprising:
- an infeed conveyor;
- an outfeed conveyor;
- and
- at least two accumulation conveyors defining a path extending between the infeed conveyor and the outfeed conveyor, each accumulation conveyor including an entrance portion adjacent the infeed conveyor for receiving articles from the infeed conveyor and an exit portion adjacent the outfeed conveyor for delivering articles to the outfeed conveyor;
- wherein each accumulation conveyor includes an endless loop defining a total length and an active upper surface portion that is at least about 75% of the total length, each accumulation conveyor having a first lateral side and a second lateral side, the articles being both slid onto and off each accumulation conveyor along one of the first lateral side or the second lateral side.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.