METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTING ARTICLE TRANSFER THROUGH THE USE OF MAGNETIC FIELDS

• US 3,830,353 A
• Filed: 02/07/1972
• Issued: 08/20/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wallace W. Mojden
• Original Assignee: Wallace W. Mojden
• Inventors: Mojden, Wallace W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schacher, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Watts, Douglas D.
• Application Number:
  US05/220,968
• Time in Patent Office: 925 Days
• Field of Search: 198/41,20 209/215,216,225,223R
• US Class Current: 198/597
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 15/58 with means for holding or retaining the loads in fixed position, e.g. magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 21/2018 for retaining the load on the load-carrying surface, retaining loads by magnetic load-carriers, e.g. belts B65G15/58, chains B65G17/46; individual magnetic grippers B65G17/323
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2201/02 Articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 47/53 between conveyors which cross one another

Abstract

Method and apparatus for effecting the transfer of articles from one traveling belt to another belt disposed transversely thereto, without the employment of guide rails, or the like to produce said transfer. The transfer operation is effected by the controlled application of magnetic forces.

Claims

1. Transfer apparatus for a magnetic conveyor system for articles, or the like, wherein the direction in which articles are traveling is to be altered, said apparatus including first conveyor means upon which the articles are initially to be conveyed, and second conveyor means to which the articles are to be transferred disposed transversely to and intersecting the path of travel of said first conveyor means, said first and second conveyor means including, respectively, first and second traveling endless belts upon which the articles can be supported, the upper reach of said first belt closely overlying the upper reach of said second belt, the area of overlap of said upper belt reaches defining a transfer area, and magnetic means disposed beneath the upper reach of said second belt and extending in a direction from said transfer area along the path of travel of said second belt, said magnetic means producing a magnetic flux distribution that is effective to cause articles to move off said first traveling belt and on to said second traveling belt.

2. Transfer apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first conveyor means also includes magnetic means for retaining articles in position thereon.

3. Transfer apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said magnetic means for said second belt include a first segment and a second segment, said first segment having a portion thereof extending beneath said transfer area, and producing a stronger magnetic field than said second segment and the magnetic means for said first conveyor means.

4. Transfer apparatus for a magnetic conveyor system for can bodies or the like, wherein the direction in which can bodies are traveling is to be altered, said apparatus including a first conveyor assembly upon which the cans are initially being conveyed, and a second conveyor assembly to which the cans are to be transferred, said conveyor assemblies including, respectively, first and second driven endless belts upon which the can bodies are supported, the upper reach of said first endless belt closely overlying the upper reach of said second endless belt, and being disposed transversely to said second belt, the area of overlap of said belts defining a transfer area;

and magnetic means disposed beneath portions of the upper reaches of said belts to maintain the can bodies in position thereon, with the magnetic means for the second belt underlying said second belt in the vicinity of said transfer area and extending from said transfer area along said second belt, with said magnetic means for said second belt producing a magnetic field extending into said transfer area, and having a flux gradient increasing in the direction of travel of said second belt, at least for a portion thereof, to cause the can bodies to move off said first belt and On to said second belt.

5. Transfer apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said magnetic means for said second conveyor assembly include a first segment and a second segment, said first segment having a portion thereof extending beneath said transfer area, and producing a stronger magnetic field than said second segment and the magnetic means for said first conveyor assembly.

6. Transfer apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the magnetic means for the first conveyor assembly is constructed so as to produce a magnetic field of lesser strength than that of said magnetic means for said second conveyor assembly.

7. Transfer apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said magnetic means for the first and second conveyor assemblies are constructed and arranged such that the disposition of the magnetic poles of both magnetic means, with respect to the direction of belt travel, are identical.

8. Transfer apparatus as defined in claim 4, said magnetic means comprising one or more ceramic magnetic elements and a pair of elongate, spaced pole plates mounted thereon in underlying relation to the respective traveling belts, one said plate providing a north pole and the other a south pole.