Flipper arm ejector

• US 20050067254A1
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Johnson Food Equipment Incorporated (Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co. KG)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Food Equipment Incorporated (Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co. KG)
• Inventors: Jones, Robert G., Jones, Peter G.
• Application Number:
  US10/676,348
• Publication Number:
  US 20050067254A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/370.70
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 5/362 Separating or distributor mechanisms switches for postal sorting B07C3/065; particular discharging devices for B65G47/74
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/0202 Agricultural and processed food products
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/82 Rotary or reciprocating members for direct action on articles or materials, e.g. pushers, rakes, shovels means for pushing glass articles onto a conveyor C03B9/453

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for deflecting a product from a distribution conveyor of a product determination and separation line are provided. Ejectors are positioned along a conveyor and are selectively activated and deactivated to result in deflection of product from the conveyor into a desired bin or other storage location. A flipper arm of the ejector is positioned to at least partially overlap the surface of the conveyor belt to reduce wear and ravel of the conveyor belt. An actuator which rotates the flipper arm is positioned above the conveyor to allow for easy cleaning and maintenance. The ejector is releasably and pivotally connected to the frame of the conveyor to allow for further ease of cleaning and maintenance.

Claims

1. An ejector for use in a product determination and separation line, the line including a conveyor for transfering a product from a first location, said ejector comprising:

a flipper arm;

an actuator for rotating said flipper arm around an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveyor direction; and

a support for locating said flipper arm and said actuator above a surface of the conveyor.

2. The ejector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flipper arm is configured to at least partially overlap a belt of said conveyor when said flipper arm is in a non-activated position.

3. The ejector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support comprises a first member being adapted to fixedly attach to a frame of said conveyor and a second member being adapted to attach via a releasable connection to said first member.

4. The ejector as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a pivot connection between said first member and said second member.

5. The ejector as claimed in claim 4 wherein said releasable connection comprises a screw and threads.

13. The ejector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support comprises a first member being adapted to attach to a frame of said conveyor and a second member being adapted to pivotably attach to, and utilize gravity to swing away from, said first member.

6. An ejector for use in a product determination and separation line, the line including a conveyor for transfering a product from a first location, said ejector comprising:

a flipper arm;

an actuator for rotating said flipper arm; and

a support for locating said flipper arm above a surface of the conveyor to at least partially overlap a belt of the conveyor when said flipper arm is in a non-activated position, wherein said flipper arm is positioned below said actuator.

7. The ejector as claimed in claim 6 wherein said support comprises a first member being adapted to fixedly attach to a frame of said conveyor and a second member being adapted to attach via a releasable connection to said first member.

8. The ejector as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a pivot connection between said first member and said second member.

9. The ejector as claimed in claim 8 wherein said releasable connection comprises a screw and threads.

10. The ejector as claimed in claim 6 wherein said actuator is located above the surface of the conveyor.

14. The ejector as claimed in claim 6 wherein said support comprises a first member being adapted to attach to a frame of said conveyor and a second member being adapted to pivotably attach to, and utilize gravity to swing away from, said first member.

11. A method of deflecting a product from a conveyor of a product determination and separation line comprising the steps of:

positioning a flipper arm above the conveyor such that said flipper arm at least partially overlaps a belt of the conveyor when said flipper arm is in a non-activated position;

activating said flipper arm such that said flipper arm rotates across the surface of the conveyor belt as a product approaches; and

directing the product to a desired location via said flipper arm.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 further comprising the step of deactivating said flipper arm.

15. An ejector for use in a product determination and separation line, the line including a conveyor for transfering a product from a first location, said ejector comprising:

a flipper arm;

an actuator for rotating said flipper arm; and

a support for locating said flipper arm and said actuator above a surface of the conveyor, wherein said support comprises a first member being adapted to adjustably attach to a frame of said conveyor and a second member being adapted to attach via a releasable connection to said first member.

16. The ejector as claimed in claim 15 wherein said releasable connection is a hinged connection.

17. The ejector as claimed in claim claim 15 wherein said second member is adapted to utilize gravity to swing away from, said first member via said releasable connection.