CAN-SPREADING CONVEYOR SYSTEM AND METHODS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A conveyor system comprising:
- a first conveyor for conveying a mass of electrically conductive articles confined to a first width;
a continuous conveying surface extending from the first conveyor in a conveying direction to receive the mass of electrically conductive articles from the first conveyor;
means for spreading the mass of electrically conductive articles from the first width to a wider second width on the continuous conveying surface;
a second conveyor for receiving the mass of electrically conductive articles spread to the second width from the continuous conveying surface;
wherein the means for spreading comprises a linear-motor stator arranged to generate an electromagnetic flux wave traveling along the continuous conveying surface between an upstream end near the first conveyor and a downstream end nearer the second conveyor; and
wherein the electromagnetic flux wave induces eddy currents creating fields in the electrically conductive articles that interact with the electromagnetic flux wave to produce a force against the electrically conductive articles to push the electrically conductive articles along the continuous conveying surface as the mass of electrically conductive articles spreads across the width of the continuous conveying surface and advances toward the second conveyor.
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Abstract
A conveyor system and method for spreading a mass of electrically conductive articles, such as aluminum cans, being transferred from an infeed conveyor to a wider discharge conveyor. A transfer device between the infeed and discharge conveyors uses linear induction to propel and spread electrically conductive articles across a continuous transfer surface with or without the aid of backpressure or mechanical spreading means.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A conveyor system comprising:
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a first conveyor for conveying a mass of electrically conductive articles confined to a first width; a continuous conveying surface extending from the first conveyor in a conveying direction to receive the mass of electrically conductive articles from the first conveyor; means for spreading the mass of electrically conductive articles from the first width to a wider second width on the continuous conveying surface; a second conveyor for receiving the mass of electrically conductive articles spread to the second width from the continuous conveying surface; wherein the means for spreading comprises a linear-motor stator arranged to generate an electromagnetic flux wave traveling along the continuous conveying surface between an upstream end near the first conveyor and a downstream end nearer the second conveyor; and wherein the electromagnetic flux wave induces eddy currents creating fields in the electrically conductive articles that interact with the electromagnetic flux wave to produce a force against the electrically conductive articles to push the electrically conductive articles along the continuous conveying surface as the mass of electrically conductive articles spreads across the width of the continuous conveying surface and advances toward the second conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 19)
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2. (canceled)
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3. (canceled)
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13. (canceled)
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14. (canceled)
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15. (canceled)
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16. (canceled)
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18. (canceled)
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20. A transfer device for transferring electrically conductive articles to or from a conveyor, comprising:
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a deadplate having an upper surface extending longitudinally in a conveying direction from a first end to a second end and laterally in width from a first side to a second side; a linear-motor stator disposed under the upper surface of the deadplate to generate an electromagnetic flux wave passing through the upper surface and inducing eddy currents in electrically conductive articles supported on the upper surface; wherein the eddy currents create fields in the electrically conductive articles that interact with the electromagnetic flux wave to produce forces directing the electrically conductive articles across the upper surface of the deadplate. - View Dependent Claims (23, 26)
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21. (canceled)
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22. (canceled)
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24. (canceled)
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25. (canceled)
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27. A method for spreading cans comprising:
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conveying a mass of aluminum cans confined to a first width on a first conveyor; feeding the mass of aluminum cans from the first conveyor onto a continuous conveying surface; receiving the mass of aluminum cans from the continuous conveying surface on a second conveyor having a wider second width; subjecting the mass of aluminum cans on the continuous conveying surface to electromagnetic flux waves to spread the aluminum cans from the first width to the second width as the mass of aluminum cans advances toward the second conveyor. - View Dependent Claims (28, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35)
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29. (canceled)
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33. (canceled)
Specification