Soft drop preform conveyor system
First Claim
1. A soft drop preform conveyor system for loading preforms into an open-top container, comprising:
- a conveyor having a preform loading end, and a distal end from which preforms leave the conveyor, the conveyor moving preforms from outside of the container, over the lip of the container, and down into the container, close to the product level within the container;
means for sensing the product level height within the container;
means for altering the height of the distal end of the conveyor, between a lowest position in which the distal end is near the bottom of the container, and a highest position in which the distal end is higher within the container, or just above the container; and
a control system, responsive to the product level sensing means, for controlling the conveyor distal end height, to maintain the conveyor distal end close to the product level within the container, so that preforms drop only a short distance from the conveyor into the container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A soft drop preform conveyor system for loading preforms into an open-top container. The system includes a conveyor having a preform loading end, and a distal end from which preforms leave the conveyor, the conveyor moving preforms from outside of the container, over the lip of the container, and down into the container, close to the product level within the container. The product level height within the container is sensed. The height of the distal end of the conveyor is altered, between a lowest position in which the distal end is near the bottom of the container, and a highest position in which the distal end is higher within the container, or just above the container. The system includes a control system, responsive to the sensed product level, for controlling the conveyor distal end height, to maintain the conveyor distal end close to the product level within the container, so that preforms drop only a short distance from the conveyor into the container.
13 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A soft drop preform conveyor system for loading preforms into an open-top container, comprising:
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a conveyor having a preform loading end, and a distal end from which preforms leave the conveyor, the conveyor moving preforms from outside of the container, over the lip of the container, and down into the container, close to the product level within the container;
means for sensing the product level height within the container;
means for altering the height of the distal end of the conveyor, between a lowest position in which the distal end is near the bottom of the container, and a highest position in which the distal end is higher within the container, or just above the container; and
a control system, responsive to the product level sensing means, for controlling the conveyor distal end height, to maintain the conveyor distal end close to the product level within the container, so that preforms drop only a short distance from the conveyor into the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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17. A soft drop preform conveyor system for loading preforms into an open-top container, comprising:
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at least two containers proximate one another;
a conveyor having a preform loading end, and a distal end from which preforms leave the conveyor, the conveyor moving preforms from outside of the container, over the lip of the container, and down into the container, close to the product level within the container;
an ultrasonic sensor system for sensing the product level height within the container;
an electric linear actuator system for altering the height of the distal end of the conveyor, between a lowest position in which the distal end is near the bottom of the container, and a highest position in which the distal end is higher within the container, or just above the container;
means for moving the conveyor such that its distal end can be located within either container; and
a control system, responsive to the product level sensing means, for controlling the conveyor distal end height, to maintain the conveyor distal end close to the product level within the container, so that preforms drop only a short distance from the conveyor into the container.
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Specification